PERHAPS the most underrated among the exercises is breathing.

Exercise, for many, is more on physical movement. We warm-up, we stretch, we run, we move in dance, in Zumba, in shadow kicking, in shadow boxing, etc. until we tire ourselves and start sweating.

But one of the most ignored parts of the routine is regulating the breathing or proper breathing. Unregulated breathing or improper breathing makes you tire faster and makes you not recover faster. This is the mistake that is not corrected by many trainers or instructors because it has never been their practice.

The little knowledge of breathing that we most know is that it gives us more oxygen, other than that nada! Maybe that is the reason why it is underrated but in truth proper, breathing makes your exercise more effective in all aspects and objectives of what you are doing. Here are some proper breathing benefits: Exercising more comfortably, safely and for longer periods preventing injuries such as hernias; spikes in blood pressure/strain on blood vessels, and back pain; increasing blood flow throughout the body; increasing your ability to relax; helping you let go of distractions; and stay focused on your exercise.

Well-versed trainers would always say if you can train your body to relax before it exerts movements, energy or power is more exhumed or relevant.

One good example of this is in the punches of karate. My master always reiterates that the punching hand including the whole arm must be relaxed and only tenses a few inches before the target. By this, you capitalize on speed to make sure your punch reaches its target before it gets noticed and blocked and this could be attained by the regulation of your breathing that allows you to relax and tense your muscle with control.

It is simple during exercise. Exhale during exertion. For example, when doing push-ups, exhale when you are pushing your body up and inhale as you bring your body down slowly or at a faster phase.

Simple breathing exercises can also be practiced by lazy people who hate physical movements and spends too much time on their couch or their bed. Just for a few minutes (at least five minutes) sit straight, breathe in deeply through the nose, hold for a few seconds and exhale slowly through the mouth until you cannot blow air anymore. Repeat the process while trying to clear your mind of anything. You can even close your eyes while doing it and maybe fall asleep in the process.

But of course, more minutes for exercise are more beneficial. Maybe, if you start a breathing routine exercise at any time of the day, it could motivate you to make time for exercise.

In this current pandemic where we are mostly at home, this will help us in many ways we can imagine. Let us all stay safe!