Muay Thai breathing: Breathing is an important life process. In order to provide the body with optimal oxygen is the proper breathing technique especially important in sports. Find out all about the breathing in Muay Thai and Martial Arts.

Correct breathing in Muay Thai / MMA and everyday life

Breathing is a natural reflex that is controlled automatically. However, anyone who does extreme sports such as Muay Thai, should train the proper breathing techniques. This increases the efficiency in training and the fight. Breathing can also be consciously controlled and optimized. See the best breathing techniques for Thaiboxers below.

 

General about breathing:

When breathing air flows through the mouth or nose into the lungs. The air is cleaned by tiny hairs in the nose first and humidified and warmed by the mucous membranes. By the alveoli, the oxygen is finally absorbed into the blood circulation. The other way round the carbon dioxide is also released through the alveoli of from the blood into the air.

By the respiratory muscles, and organs are thus supplied with oxygenated blood. This is the reason why the body can remain fully efficient. So the proper breathing plays a crucial role especially in the martial arts.

Facts:

• The respiratory rate of an adult at rest is about 11-15 breaths per minute.
• Approximately 0.5 liters of air can be inhaled per breath.
• The composition of the inhaled air: 78% nitrogen / 21% oxygen / carbon dioxide 0.04%
• The composition of the exhaled air: 78% nitrogen / 17% oxygen / 4% carbon dioxide

 

Unconscious breathing reflex:

Breathing is controlled automatically. This is done automatically in the brain or respiratory center of the medulla oblongata. This chemoreceptors respond to the carbon dioxide content of the blood and are responsible for the respiratory charm.

Nevertheless, the breathing can be controlled consciously. Athletes make this often to use. But even in meditation, controlled breathing lead to inner peace and highest concentration.

 

Deeper breathing is healthier – Respiratory failure:

Through proper breathing you can reach positive effects for the organs and the circulation in everyday life. Thus, the internal organs “massaged” by constantly breathing in and out. The heart benefits from deep breathing and is extremely relieved. So it is with deep breathing pulled through the diaphragm moving down and thus extended.

However, the improper breathing also have negative effects on our organism. The most common respiratory failure are due to the following causes:

Overweight, bad posture, stressful lifestyle:

These three factors have often great effects on respiration. So breathing is often shallow, and it stunted the finest capillaries in the lungs. The consequence is a lower oxygen uptake. The heart needs more beats per minute to perform better even at rest. The overall performance decreases.

Also back pain can have large effects on respiration. From reflective and self-protection, the deep inhalation is prohibited. As unpleasant pain can be avoided. However, the performance is also so reduced.

 

Easy check of breathing:

• Pay attention especially in stress situation, if your breathing still remains low.
• Check your posture by breathing in deeply aware. When you change it to breath in the air better your posture is wrong.
• Do you have back pain affect during inhale deep? Breathe deep and strong! Do you feel now somewhere tension or pain, then you are suffering from back problems that restrict your breathing.

 

Simple tricks for better breathing in everyday life:

• Straight posture
• When sitting, never cross your legs
• regular airing
• Strong abdominal muscles
• Hearty yawning supplies the body with oxygen

 

Breathing is a reflection of the soul

Breathing is also subconsciously influenced by external influences or our state of mind. To get a total harmonious breathing and a better appreciation of life you should always listen to yourself. Also meditation exercises such as yoga or meditation can lead to better breathing and are under Thai boxing and MMA fighters very popular.

 

Proper breathing techniques and breathing exercises in Muay Thai

 

Breathing exercises before training and in everyday life:

Deep breathing to stimulate and relieve the internal organs:

The deep breathing can work wonders in stressful situations in everyday life. But even before a fight or training it can help prepare for the challenges ahead, and to provide the organs optimally with oxygen.

How you breathe deeply:

Stand or sit in upright position. Let your arms hang loose and relaxed while laterally. Breathe now deep and strong through your nose. You should breathe deeply so that the air passes into the stomach and chest. Then you breathe out slowly through your mouth.

 

Breathing in Muay Thai training:

Correct breathing is for example in Tae Kwon Do or Karate training an important part of the workout. But in Muay Thai or other martial arts the right breathing technique is a great advantage. So you should always exhale forcefully in rhythm with your punches and kicks. Therefore, you can hear the most of the fighters always loud moaning or crying during the workout or fight. This helps to put the power completely in the punch.

A training wisdom: “If you do not hear yourself breathing, you may not even breathe too!”

 

Breathing with mouthguard:

Some fighters feel restricted by the mouth guard during breathing. To optimally prepare optimally for the fight and learn proper breathing with the mouth guard you should wear your mouth protection already a few days before the fight in the training session. If you want you can also go running with your mouthguard. This helps you to control your breathing techniques with the mouth guard during the fight.

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