Big Breath dRill
Breathing is important. The hard part is getting people to actually focus on it. Breathing can feel boring, even uncomfortable, because your brain is usually running a million miles an hour and slowing down is tough. That’s why I’ve found simple drills work best.
Here’s one you can try this week.
Why focus on breathing?
A few minutes of focused breathing can:
Improve mechanics. Treat it like a mobility drill for your whole body. Better breaths unlock better positions.
Change your state. Depending on the sequence, a few minutes of breathing can help you chill out or fire up. This drill is more about feeling awake.
Improve posture. When you know what a good breath feels like, you’re less willing to trade it away to poor positions.
I could tell you to “use your diaphragm” or “expand into your ribs and back,” but honestly, that often complicates things. The best way to get better at breathing is just to practice filling up as much as you can.
At first, you’ll probably breathe mostly with your chest and shoulders. But as you get more reps in, you’ll pull in more air, feel expansion throughout your whole trunk, and improve your mechanics. After a long exhale and hold, the next breath will be even better.
The Drill
Lay on your back, feet up on a wall.
For 90–120 seconds, take big, deep, expanding breaths with a sharp, quick exhale.
Exhale all the way on your last breath, then hold.
Breathe again when you’re ready.
Repeat for 2–3 rounds.
The longer you can hold that exhale, the better your next round will feel.
Give it a shot this week.
—Justin Miner