Have you heard of Breathplay?? Do you use it, and if so, are you impressed by the results??

It’s a breathing method developed by Ian Jackson to improve the riding performance of cyclists. I listened to a short podcast about it and, being the expert meditative breather that I am, ahem, I thought it sounded plausible.

Essentialy, you do all the work on the outbreath and relax on the inbreath. Ok, not so astounding, but you do it to a certain rhythm, and the outbreath is always longer than the inbreath. I wasn’t sure I could get all the air I needed that way, but when I do it right, it really works. So I tried it on a 3 mile walk and wow, was I impressed! My husband’s been using it while riding and he’s having amazing results. Here’s how Ian describes his ride –

Enjoy the Ride

Then I realized what a great metaphor it is for life. We go through these periods of release that are difficult and full of obstacles. We work in some way to move through them. Then we relax into a space of opening. This is the contraction and expansion of energy. The key, of course, is to relax through the receiving, or opening, and be ready to work efficiently through the constriction. When we do that, the whole process is enjoyable.

That’s Breathplay. Work through the outbreath. Use every muscle! Then relax and let the air flow in. Don’t suck it in or try too hard. Just relax. Relax…. Relaaaaxxxx and enjoy the ride!

Ride!