The in-between

Hello, I'm Coach Dan. If you have ever struggled with catching your breath, whether that is during a physical activity, or a stressful situation where you feel yourself getting angry or upset you will understand the feeling of helplessness that can come with those experiences. Thankfully for most people breathing returns to "normal" and then they get on with their day.

This is where I feel like I have removed a veil I wasn't aware was there. The bit after breathing calms down, I never focused on. The in-between. Because I felt like it was automatic and never worried about it despite struggling with anxiety most of my life and asthma and stuffy nose ever present throughout childhood with multiple inhalers being prescribed. Personally I now focus on my breathing far more than I ever have. I coach it daily now since qualifying with the oxygen advantage a few years ago now and see the benefit in my clients and I believe in it so I do it. Small adjustments here and there throughout my day at home and at work to meet the demands it might produce and then more focused adjustments if I am exercising with traditional gym work, yoga, bouldering or boxing which are my preferred methods of exercise and the basis of my training in my own practice outside of coaching.

The veil I mentioned in my own life is that I now have more control in each of these situations. My posture is better due to my understanding of it's relationship with breathing. Aches and pains caused by lazy movement habits and poor technique have disappeared or at least give me more subtle reminders that I need to adjust my position or rest, not push harder. The simple act of stopping a rep or two short of my target in a set of pull ups if I am tired or fatigued from another activity and understanding and feeling grateful I can do a pull up pain free because I breathe more efficiently during exercise and in my life as a whole.

If you make the effort to breathe more mindfully, understand that it's something that is nurtured and responds to gentle daily practice. Not large bouts of practice followed by scrolling looking at people breathing well......

Make the effort. Not just because, but because it's worth it. The photo attached is my beautiful Dog looking very relaxed on the couch.

If you would like to get in touch and see if we can work together or just learn more about what I do you can find me at www.coachdanpt.com