Breathing/Stretching Question

K

KatieDid

Cathlete
Cathe: I originally posted this on the open discussion forum. Any pointers on maintaining core stability and maximum exertion while getting adequate oxygen would help me a lot! Thanks, Katie

Please help, educated crowd!
I am new to lifting and just this morning struggled through S&H legs and shoulders. I went extremely light (3-5 pound dumbells) to focus on form, based on a recommendation in one of Cathe's previous posts. However, long before I exhausted my muscles I got lightheaded and broke into a cold clammy sweat. DH suggested that I might be breathing wrong during the LONG exertion phase. Maybe I'm holding my breath? Is this likely/possible? Should I try a long slow continuous exhale or short puffy breaths? Any thoughts at all??? Also, I did the biceps routine from CTX last week (also with light weights) and couldn't move my elbows for nearly 4 days. Any stretching suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Katie
 
Hi, Katie, I am not Cathe but maybe I can help. The standard formula has always been to breathe out on the exertion. Blow out as you contract, say, your bicep. I recently read though that natural breating is fine. It's just really important to breath and get oxygen where it needs to go! Have you thought about getting a Yoga tape? Breathing is often practiced at the beginning of the tapes. Or you might try Zen breathing, i.e., "label" your breaths. Think "in breath" as you breath in and "out breath" as you breath out. Try to stay relaxed and focused. I know it's hard shifting your attention between the breath and the muscle work, but once you get the hang of it you'll be fine!

Good luck!
 
Bobbi: Thanks for the note. I have been much more focused on breathing during workouts and haven't gotten light headed again, but I do believe I was holding my breath when the work got too hard. Do you find that yoga helps your overall fitness? Katie
 
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