Breathing

[scribe3]

In the past, while swimming freestyle, I have always inhaled and exhaled through my mouth only. I was just wondering is this the best way to breathe?.

[WFEGb]

Hello scribe3,

if you feel it as your best way and there is no problem to hold balance and streamline, why not? Although exhaling through nose and mouth with relaxed face may help to relax a little bit more over all...

Best regards,
Werner

[scribe3]

I am a newbie, and I have been having problems, with breathing. So, I decided to start exhaling through my nose, instead of inhaling and exhaling through my mouth.

I will take your advice the next I am at the pool, an attempt to exhale through my mouth and nose at the same time,

-Thanks

[novaswimmer]

For me, exhaling through the nose and inhaling through the mouth has been the best way for me to regulate my breathing. But everyone is different.

I usually save the last bit of breath to forcefully exhale through my nose as my head rotates up for air. This keeps water out of my nose as I turn my head.

The longer I practice this, the easier it comes. But it has taken a LOT of practice. For me, breathing in freestyle has been the biggest challenge (vs say, stroke technique). And what makes it harder is that every aspect of freestyle is interrelated. Breathing affects posture, posture affects breathing and stroke technique, stroke technique can affect posture and breathing!

[scribe3]

In regard, to your comment about posture, I agree that breathing and posture go hand and hand, one think I have noticed is if I exhale too much air my core will release and my posture will be compromised.

Exhaling through my nose has really helped me feel more relaxed in the water during a swim.

[novaswimmer]

Originally Posted by scribe3

In regard, to your comment about posture, I agree that breathing and posture go hand and hand, one think I have noticed is if I exhale too much air my core will release and my posture will be compromised.

Exhaling through my nose has really helped me feel more relaxed in the water during a swim.

I know that if I release too much air too early, and have to end up holding my breath for seconds too long, I begin to 'panic' and scramble to try to bring my head up for air. Not good, as then the stroke falls apart, legs drop, etc.! LOL!

[WFEGb]

Hello scribe3,

In regard, to your comment about posture, I agree that breathing and posture go hand and hand, one think I have noticed is if I exhale too much air my core will release and my posture will be compromised.

:-) you're very right! Everything in FS is interacting with each other in whole stroke. But most times it's extremely helpful to just focus (that's why it's named so) on/in one single thing and get it correct (more or less) and then try to integrate it in whole strokes. The drills are designed to help you with your special FPs... and breathing is not covered with a single FP.

According to your problem: It's not a fault to hold a rest of air before inhaling. You have to find out your individual comfortable amount to hold. You'll find out very fast, it wan't be a constant. It depends on SR, pace, practice, chosen FP and... and... Surely you'll find out, sometimes it will feel relaxing to exhale all "used air" in the last moment before inhaling, to get fresh air in your "tank"...

Play with it, stay aware and go on with your good work.

Best regards,
Werner

[scribe3]

novaswimmer, I agree I have the same problem, sometimes I release too much air, and by the time I reach the wall, I notice I am low in the water.

Thanks, WFEGB, I will practice, and play with exhaling air, until I get more comfortable. I almost feel more comfortable with trickle breathing, only exhaling more air when the head turns to breathe.