Do you need breathing lessons? This question might sound ridiculous, but if you want to skate long distances efficiently, you must be able to get all the oxygen your hard-working body needs.
Here is how to find out how you currently breathe: sit up straight, place your hands on your stomach below the belt line and take a very deep breath. Did your hands move in toward your spine? If yes, you have just filled only the top portion of your lungs. Your diaphragm stayed tight, blocking the path to a full intake of air. Inline skaters (and all humans) need a rich intake of oxygen with every inhalation.
Because breathing habits are usually developed over a lifetime, re-learning proper breathing starts with awareness. Learning to watch and control your breathing offers other benefits, too. It takes your mind off worries, helps you feel more in control, and slows the hectic pace of both your mind and body, all very healthy side effects!
- Don’t try this at home, kids!
On the Mind-Body page of my Get Rolling Off-Skate Training section, I describe three breathing exercises for skaters to try:
- Beginner – focus on the mechanics
- Intermediate – breath smarter while skating
- Advanced – experience meditation
Tags: breath, meditation, mind-body, oxygen intake