In this powerful episode, Olivia and Eric join Jeremy Sanders on the Crew First Culture podcast to discuss the importance of breath work and breathing techniques.
They dive into the science behind these techniques and provide valuable insights on when and why to use them.
Whether you're a first responder or someone looking to enhance your mental and physical resilience, this episode is a must-listen.
Take a deep breath and press play to begin your training.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Breathwork is the Core of Yoga : We emphasize that breathwork isn't just a part of yoga; it's what differentiates yoga postures from mere physical exercises. By focusing on our breath, we can directly influence our nervous system and mental state.
Physiology of Breathing : Eric explains the importance of diaphragmatic breathing and nose breathing for optimal oxygen exchange and the role of the diaphragm in massaging the vagus nerve, which can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) : We discuss HRV as an indicator of autonomic nervous system balance and how breathwork can improve HRV, leading to better stress resilience and overall health.
Diaphragmatic Breathing : We guide listeners through the process of engaging the diaphragm for breathing, which can also alleviate low back pain by strengthening core muscles.
Three-Part Breathing : This foundational technique involves breathing sequentially into the belly, ribs, and chest, then reversing the process on the exhale. It's the baseline for all our breathwork practices.
Activating the Calm Button : We introduce a simple technique involving nose breathing, belly breathing, and extending the exhale to quickly induce a state of calm.
Recovery Breath : For those moments post-activation or stress, we teach a breathing pattern of inhaling for three counts and exhaling for five counts, which can be paired with cognitive declarations like "I am calm, I am in control" for enhanced effect.
Coherency Breath for High Performance : We explore how breathing at a rate of five to seven breaths per minute can lead to a state of coherence, where the body and mind are optimally aligned for performance.
This episode is packed with practical tools and knowledge that you can apply immediately, whether you're a first responder or anyone seeking to enhance mental and physical resilience.
Remember, these techniques are trainable skills, and with practice, they can become second nature, helping you to perform at your best and recover quickly from stress.
Don't forget to check out the breathwork guide linked below for a handy reference to the techniques discussed in this episode. And as always, we'd love to hear what you thought of today's episode. Stay tuned for more episodes where we continue to break down the elements that contribute to your unbreakable strength and unwavering fortitude.