Hi Evan, you say not to “brace” when using this breathing. Can you explain what action should follows the deep breath out (dia-breathing trechinque) when readying for a heavy lift, such as a press? (i.e grab the weights, then what…)
Thanks, i really want to master this, but am a little confused as to how i should use this when loading, b/c i have been using the “squeeze your abs tight while breathing” which i think is called bracing.
Hello – thanks for the question. I know this can be tricky when trying to view on a video. There is a subtle yet important distinction between a full on ‘brace’ and the activation strategy I am teaching. It can be thought of as a modified brace. I will have the client activate his/her deep abdominal wall so to not let me push my fingers into their abdomen – I will press both low inside their ASIS as well as laterally between their 12th rib and iliac crest. And then while maintaining this activation they will continue to breathe 3-dimensionally. The difference with the full on brace is that there is no global rigidity and/or drawing in even though the individual will be more rigid than when they are not activated. This strategy should be practiced under low loads and utilized during higher loads but not used exclusively or all day long. It sounds as if your strategy is likely correct if you can still maintain your 3-D breathing while activated. Keep up the great work.
Brian Mahoney says:
Hi Evan, you say not to “brace” when using this breathing. Can you explain what action should follows the deep breath out (dia-breathing trechinque) when readying for a heavy lift, such as a press? (i.e grab the weights, then what…)
Thanks, i really want to master this, but am a little confused as to how i should use this when loading, b/c i have been using the “squeeze your abs tight while breathing” which i think is called bracing.
Evan says:
Hello – thanks for the question. I know this can be tricky when trying to view on a video. There is a subtle yet important distinction between a full on ‘brace’ and the activation strategy I am teaching. It can be thought of as a modified brace. I will have the client activate his/her deep abdominal wall so to not let me push my fingers into their abdomen – I will press both low inside their ASIS as well as laterally between their 12th rib and iliac crest. And then while maintaining this activation they will continue to breathe 3-dimensionally. The difference with the full on brace is that there is no global rigidity and/or drawing in even though the individual will be more rigid than when they are not activated. This strategy should be practiced under low loads and utilized during higher loads but not used exclusively or all day long. It sounds as if your strategy is likely correct if you can still maintain your 3-D breathing while activated. Keep up the great work.
Brian Mahoney says:
Thanks man. this site is fantastic!