As we move, we start to cultivate carbon dioxide (carbonic acid) in the body.
One of two things will happen – we either need to switch to mouth breathing as we look to “expel” the elevated carbon dioxide, or, we slow down the movement.
The CO2 “dump” is when we are mostly nasal breathing in a movement pattern. When we feel “out of breath” we use one or two intentional mouth “exhalations” to reduce the CO2 in the body.
We do this with a pretty big mouth exhale. A “whooooo” kind of action.
From there, we return to nasal breathing or a controlled breath rate. This sends a more parasympathetic and sustainable signal to the nervous system, allowing us to continue for longer, with more composure and efficiency.
During the pause for the CO2 “dump” and exhale, I like to also run a conscious relaxation scan throughout the body.
Carrying “extra” tension in the movement that isn’t needed, causes additional stress and energy wastage.
The entire focus of this is to create a more adaptable physiology and circulate “loving” or parasympathetic dominant messaging to the nervous system through our training, rather that tension and stress.
I ran through this process below with Jacob at Newstrength Gym before we do a workshop this weekend.
[The video is posted below. If the link isn’t there in the email, click on the post title at the top of the email and view it on the website.]
