FITNESS BREATHWORK

FITNESS BREATH

TECHNIQUE RATIO WHEN PURPOSE
Rock N Roll4 IN 6 EXBeginners / AMHorizontal training
Cat Cow4 IN 6 EXBeginners / AMHorizontal training
Stacked Low Belly5 IN 5 EX w/2.5-10# weight or bookBeginnersHorizontal training
Cadence A4 IN 4 EXAM / Pre WorkoutReadiness, conscious breath
Cadence B4 IN 4 H 4 EXAM / Pre WorkoutReadiness, conscious breath
Relaxation4 IN 7 H 8 EXStress / PMGain control over body
Pranyama3 IN 3 H 6 EX 3 HStress / AM / PMYogic breath “prana” vital force
Tactical2 IN 8 H 4 EXPMSlowed or stopped breathing
Coherent4 IN 4 H 6 EX 2 HStressInduces calm
Box or Square4 IN 4 H 4 EX 4 HAM / PMMental clarity (unbeatable mind)
Superventilation (Wim Hof Method)1 IN ½ EX 30 - 40x, Max Retention HoldAM / Pre WorkoutControl immune system, controlled hyperventilation
Apnea5 IN 20 H 10 EX3x Per DayInduce readiness, calm
Recovery Breath5 Mouth:Mouth
5 Nose:Mouth
5 Nose:Nose
Post WorkoutDown Regulate

Breath Measurements

  • BOLT (one-time breath hold)
  • CO2 Retention screen
  • Shoulder Mobility
  • Acidity - pH strips
  • Finger pulse oximeter
  • Resting heart rate

BOLT = “Body Oxygen Level Test”

  • Resting for about 10 minutes
  • Take small breath in thru nose then out thru nose - plug your nose and hold your breath
  • Relax into the breath - at first sign of definite desire to breath check time
  • Accurate tool for measuring breath volume
  • Ideal breath score for a healthy individual is about :40
  • Lower the bolt = greater the breathing volume = the more breathlessness you’ll experience during exercise

How it Works

  • Breath hold measures how much CO2 your body is able to tolerate
  • Higher bolt score means you’re able to hold calmer breathing during rest and lighter breathing during exercise
  • Improved tolerance to CO2 means you’re able to achieve higher VO2 Max/performance

Fun facts on the breath…

  • Aging is associated with progressive decline in lung function
  • 20% of the oxygen you breathe is used by your brain
  • Average adult breathes 10-15 times per minute, but during exercise up to 5x as much - that means 40-50 breaths