We bet you’ve never breathed like this before.
Does it ever annoy you when someone tells you to “just breathe” in a stressful situation? Since we’re all breathing all the time, this advice can feel a little condescending. But if you take a step back and think about it, there are so many ways that we can benefit from consciously breathing (like lowering blood pressure and improving memory). But it can be hard to reexamine something we’ve done our whole lives. If you need some gentle guidance, the captain of our Going Strong series, Ryan Cooper, is sharing a calming tutorial on alternate nostril breathing.
As the owner of the fitness program CooperFit, this actor-turned-fitness entrepreneur spends a lot of time exercising so he can help us master our ab workouts. But according to Cooper, putting in time at the gym isn’t everything. In a recent interview with us, Cooper says that breathing is at the core of his practice: “I wanted to incorporate breath work because if the body’s not loose, it can’t build the muscle to where it needs to be.” Taking the extra time to breathe deeply and consciously can help you loosen up and get a better idea of what you need.
Plus, it’s not just about getting the most out of your workout. In the intro to the short video, Cooper clarifies that he’s designed the tutorial for “anxiety and stress relief.” And who among us can’t use an extra boost of calm? Cooper continues with a preliminary, simple breathing exercise, with some encouragement to relax and engage with your body as you go.
After getting into a good rhythm, Cooper demonstrates how to breathe using only one nostril for a few steady breaths. He explains that breathing on one side sends extra blood to the corresponding side of your brain — and he’s also got very specific advice on how to best alternate your breathing (you won’t just be plugging up your nose). Cooper then transitions into teaching you alternate nostril breathing — switching back and forth between nostrils with each breath.
You can use this tutorial before workouts, after a cool-down session, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or whenever you want to check in with yourself. And if you’ve taken a shine to Cooper, remember that you can use the promo code KCM50 to get 50 percent off Cooper’s fitness packages (which include breathing exercises). Next time someone tells you to take a breath, you’ll know just what to do.
