FOR CATHE- BREATHING TECHNIQUES

[xssmartie]

Hi Cathe!

I hope you and family are well. The photos are just adorable (of Eric).

I have a question I hope you will answer, it is regarding using/utilizing proper breathing during exercise.

Your husband mentioned that while you were in labor, you found the doctor's request not to breath a foreign concept because after all your whole career has been based on proper breathing techniques.. (something along these lines).

So my question is- could you clarify what exactly proper breathing is? Is there a specific way one should breath during cardio exercise or is it similiar to that used during weight training?

Thanks!
Maribeth

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Maribeth!

What my husband was referring to was my breathing technique during my pushing phase of labor. The doctors were asking me to hold my breath during this push phase while I have always been taught to exhale during the exertion phase of an exercise.

To answer your question, for cardio activity it is common to breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. For weight lifting it is to inhale deeply during the less difficult phase of the exercise(to bring oxygen to the muscles) and then exhale on the exertion phase of the exercise (to provide support and strength). Although the early to middle stages of labor required more of the cardiovasular breathing technique(in through the nose, out through the mouth)the final pushing phase of labor was more like the breathing technique used for weight lifting(take a deep breath and then exhale on the push). Hope that clarifies things a bit.

 

[xssmartie]

Thanks Cathe!

I will file that bit of info regarding breathing and labor for future reference! :0)