S
Scott Lemley
Guest
Breathing. Now we're talking, Ruth. If "balance" is our mantra, slow, deep breathing is the core of
our daily practice.
I know, I know, many of you will say "What's he talking about!? I'm conscious of my breathing!
What's the big deal? Everyone breathes!" But you're not really conscious of your breathing. Not
unless you practice breathing as an art form. Breathing for most of us is involuntary . . . unless
you MAKE it voluntary. That's when breathing becomes something very powerful.
This was my 4th year coaching the LHS swim team. The graduating seniors and I started with the
program at the same time. When our boys won the state meet a couple weeks ago (for the first time in
the school's long history) it was a very sweet moment. We also won the Sportsmanship Award. That was
even sweeter.
For 4 years now I've started every high school practice with 10 slow deep breaths. Think that was an
easy sell to 50 high school students? NOT. That first year I slowly brought them around to believe
in my martial arts based swim practices. Several of the swimmers simply refused to participate when
I had everyone lay down on the deck and practice 10 slow, deep breaths. They thought it was pretty
lame. Those who bought into my philosophy averaged 5% improvement that season. The next year
everyone was into slow, deep breathing. I added a bit of meditation. Some giggled and laughed and
didn't take it seriously. The ones who did averaged 6% improvement that season. The 3rd year
everyone was into slow, deep breathing and meditation.
I'd almost be willing to take a control group and have them do nothing more than practice slow, deep
breathing for 2 hours every day while the rest of my team swims a normal practice. It might be
interesting to track the results throughout the season. Except I know that there are a lot more
lessons to learn than conscious breathing and I wouldn't want the members of the control group to
miss out on them.
How many of you practice slow, deep breathing? I'd be interested in knowing.
Regards,
Scott
our daily practice.
I know, I know, many of you will say "What's he talking about!? I'm conscious of my breathing!
What's the big deal? Everyone breathes!" But you're not really conscious of your breathing. Not
unless you practice breathing as an art form. Breathing for most of us is involuntary . . . unless
you MAKE it voluntary. That's when breathing becomes something very powerful.
This was my 4th year coaching the LHS swim team. The graduating seniors and I started with the
program at the same time. When our boys won the state meet a couple weeks ago (for the first time in
the school's long history) it was a very sweet moment. We also won the Sportsmanship Award. That was
even sweeter.
For 4 years now I've started every high school practice with 10 slow deep breaths. Think that was an
easy sell to 50 high school students? NOT. That first year I slowly brought them around to believe
in my martial arts based swim practices. Several of the swimmers simply refused to participate when
I had everyone lay down on the deck and practice 10 slow, deep breaths. They thought it was pretty
lame. Those who bought into my philosophy averaged 5% improvement that season. The next year
everyone was into slow, deep breathing. I added a bit of meditation. Some giggled and laughed and
didn't take it seriously. The ones who did averaged 6% improvement that season. The 3rd year
everyone was into slow, deep breathing and meditation.
I'd almost be willing to take a control group and have them do nothing more than practice slow, deep
breathing for 2 hours every day while the rest of my team swims a normal practice. It might be
interesting to track the results throughout the season. Except I know that there are a lot more
lessons to learn than conscious breathing and I wouldn't want the members of the control group to
miss out on them.
How many of you practice slow, deep breathing? I'd be interested in knowing.
Regards,
Scott