I know there are other threads on this, but I'm curious about people who regularly meditate as well as swim: do you do deep breathing when you swim?
My sister asked if I did deep breathing when I swim, since it's good for moods (she gets to listen to mine . . .), and I said, somewhat indignantly, "Have you ever done swim interval training? Of course I breathe deeply!" She is a dedicated meditator/yoga practitioner.
However, yesterday when I focused on my breathing I realized that for sprints I don't have time to breathe deep (belly breathing is what she is referring to). Probably for distance I do breathe deeply.
Meditators out there: do you always try to do the deep belly breathing, even when swimming?
I'm curious if this would create more oxygen and endurance and of course speed, were I to focus on this.
It is possible to take quick deep breaths; I had to do this in a dance; but it can lead to hyperventilation (for me).
The only time I feel the need to do deep belly breathing is during rest periods between pieces in a set. If I;m cruising at low speeds I will occasionally do a bit of deep breathing, but not often
I DO however use it when I run fairly often...Running isn;t easy for me and I occasionally find myself tensing up and a couple of deep breaths takes care of that for me and sends a signal to relax. Last year I ran the entire 3 mile run of a sprint triathlon doing deep belly breathing and I think it is what got me across the finish line. I use it in spin class too
But it just doesn't work for me in the pool.
