Think for a moment about a time where you were immensely nervous. Maybe the birth of your child, stepping onto a rollercoaster or a big job interview. Remember how you were breathing. You’ll notice that you were probably breathing extremely shallowly and only really using the very top of your chest and shoulders.
Now, come back to the present moment and watch how this feels: Gently, take a breath in through nose, long and slow now gently exhale through your nose. Feel as if you are filling up your abdomen as it expands and you fill the bottom of your lungs. Feel the air going down the back of your throat as you fill the back of your lungs. Repeat this process a few times.
Most people are now feeling like there is less tension in their bodies and they’re feeling more relaxed. The research suggests that breathing in this way is fast track to relieving mild tension.
Is there anything that produces more “mild tension” than a round of golf? Maybe not. And is there anything that can ruin a fluid golf swing more than tension? Again, maybe not.
The more that you practice this way of controlled nasal breathing (Check out the work of Patrick McKeown for more on this) the better you will become at relaxing and relieving tension.
The impact that this will have on your golf swing is quite profound. Your back will widen, your arms will sit more freely and you’ll be poised to make a much more fluid swing.
Practice this way of breathing EVERYWHERE. In the car, on the train, in the office, watching TV and wherever you find yourself. That way, it will become the norm for you to breathe this, being filled with oxygen and feeling relaxed and in control. You can even incorporate into your golf routine.
*If you have any respiratory issues please consult your relevant health professional before engaging in any breathing exercises
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