Breathing well is as essential to health and performance as proper nutrition, sleep and exercise. Yet, a substantial percentage of our population suffers from undiagnosed dysfunctional breathing. Sub-par breathing deteriorates health, impairs performance, and undermines sleep and productivity. The good news is that with a little effort, the way we breathe can easily be improved. Even those that think they breathe well can improve their respiratory fitness and hence improve their overall health, endurance, sleep and productivity.

Most of us think our breathing is “good enough”. We put up with symptoms or see doctors for prescriptions on issues affected by the way we breathe. These include snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, stress, migraines, high blood pressure. Poor breathing also puts a chronic stress on the heart and can contribute over time to many heart related conditions. While some breathing exercises can help reduce stress, they don’t train breathing efficiency and re-normalization of one’s breathing habit. Breathing efficiency and normalization are key components to alleviating breathing related symptoms and easing chronic stress on the heart . Taking a little time to improve breathing can be easier, less expensive and just as important to health as optimal nutrition and exercise. For those proactive about feeling great, improving performance, and increasing productivity — respiratory fitness is a must.