Breathing in Swimming

Описание: One important part of breathing is the amount of air in your lungs.  A common message I hear and read frequently, especially advice given to triathletes, is to start emptying lungs of air immediately when face enters water.  Although the spirit and intentions of this advice are good, your body position can drop a couple of inches or more and never find “the pocket” due to lack of buoyancy (not enough air in the lungs).  You don’t want to hold your breath, but rather have a slow controlled exhale as face enters water – only exhale quickly and empty lungs as chin follows shoulder to air.   

Breathing in freestyle really is overrated.  It’s only us humans adding instinctive movements and complexity that make breathing much more difficult and overly frustrating. Our mouths are not located on our foreheads, lifting the head will not get us more air, only lowers the chin below surface making it more difficult to breathe. Once our human, land based instincts to breathe have been removed is when you will find that stable, easy breath in the low pressure pocket of the bow wave.  Whether swimming in calm pool or in lumpy open water conditions, the breathing position and process remains the same. Learning to breathe easy in freestyle takes time, be patient and trust the process.  The air is free, take all you need.