Movement Tip: Breathe first, move second…

Every breath you take communicates something to your nervous system, and thus affects your movement patterns.

The respiratory muscles are not only responsible for breathing, but also stabilizing your spine, and thus posture. Yet again, another reason to reconsider this ‘automatic function’ of breathing as a relationship worth developing, nurturing, and mastering in the context of your movment practice.

In other words: despite the label of the “automatic nervous system”, your breathing is THE MOST powerful way to shift your bodily state instantaneously.

Yes, you can tap into and access your autonomic nervous system through breathing.

Thus, developing a relationship with your breath (breathing consciously) is a priceless investment of time and energy when moving. Awareness to your breathing will result in more awarnress of your nervous system, your energy, and your bodily state as you move.

One of my favourite tips that I offer to my movement clients is to use you breath as barometer, meaning: if you stop breathing you’ve gone to far and you need to step a bit back from the edge that you’re flirting with (whether that’s a yoga pose, a dynamic movement, a stretch, etc.)

Main takeaway: your quality of breath will in some way determine the quality of your movements. When you are more mindful and connected to your breathing, you become more in control of your physical, mental, and emotional states and are able to regulate yourself according to your external environment.

This week, I invite you to make your breathing the primary aspect of your attention when you’re moving, exercising, stretching, etc. Anytime your minds wanders off, bring it back to your breathing. This will happen a lot, and that’s totally okay and normal. Just keep brining your attention back to your breathing.

Take note of the overall experience when being more mindful of your breathing.

BONUS: when walking, communting, etc, stay mindful of your breathing.

With love,

Brian