Breathing

 

Holding your breath, for even a short period of time, can create periods of tension.

One way that I try to reduce tension in myself is by using a proper breathing technique. I know that’s something our bodies do for us without thinking, but there are times when doing something intense and physically demanding, such as during the stress of competition, that many of us hold our breath.

Proper breathing will help us to elevate our performance. Not breathing correctly can limit our mobility.

I have been studying martial arts for a few years. During the classes, our instructor spends time at the beginning of every lesson teaching us how to breathe properly during our workouts.

I have started to make sure that I am breathing correctly when shooting by taking a deep breath during my positive thought process and as I close my shotgun, exhaling, then inhaling as I call for the target. When doing this, I have felt my body become less tense.

I went online to look at ‘sports breathing’ articles and found several about how proper breathing can help athletes perform at a higher level, increase mobility, and reduce tension. Do some online research and read more on this subject; it may help your performance.

Stay safe,
Barry Hartmann

Barry Hartmann is an NSSA Master Level and NRA Certified shotgun instructor who teaches American skeet and wingshooting. You can contact Barry at threeat8@aol.com or 918-803-2393.