And out through your mouth. Learning to breathe when running is important. Breathing with intention can help you become a better runner.
Try the following when practicing your breathing:
- Lie down: Start by sitting or lying down on your bed, a couch or the floor.
- Prepare your body: Place one hand over your heart and one hand on your stomach.
- Breathe in: Close your mouth and breathe in slowly through your nose. Think about engaging your diaphragm, the large muscle beneath your lungs that helps with breathing. Gently push your hand against your stomach and feel your diaphragm tighten as you breathe in.
- Breathe out: Breathe out through your mouth—you can flutter your lips or blow like you’re extinguishing birthday candles—and feel your diaphragm muscle relax.
- Repeat: Continue this ritual a few times and try to extend your inhales and exhales by a few seconds each time.
And for more information about the above, check out this article from REI :How to Breathe While Running
