Room to breathe. . .

Many of my clients tend to hold their breath or breathe very shallowly while exercising - especially when doing new routines or cardio programs. Proper breathing is important during exercise for 2 reasons: to deliver oxygen to the cells and to assist the rhythm of motion.

The exact timing of the breath depends somewhat on the exercise, but the general rule of thumb is that you breathe in during the relaxed phase of the exercise and out during the exertion phase. For example, you would exhale when you push off during a shoulder press. Focus on proper activation of your core to stabilize the trunk of the body and coordinate this with the breathing cycle. The main key is to listen to your body and RELAX - your body will signal you when to breathe.