Are you breathing correctly? 

Believe it or not, most people are breathing completely wrong and in turn we are jeopardizing our overall health and well being! YIKES! 

In the midst of COVID-19, we need to make sure we focus on our health more than we ever have. Certified breathing coach, Crystal Hernandez is helping us better understand the importance of breathing correctly. 

1. Can you share a little about how you started your business?

I’ve always had the passion to help others, but I just didn’t know in what capacity. Initially, I started off as a health coach. I was helping people become healthy and I enjoyed it. However, in my own life I felt like something was missing. I noticed that healthy food was not helping with severe stress and anxiety; I knew I needed to search for something more. I found Dr. Belisa Vranich, founder of The Breathing Class, and took her Teacher Training Program to become a BREATHE Certified Coach and my life changed for the better! At that moment I knew I needed to share this information with the world! I then started Breathe Beautifully. 

2. What inspired you to get into this field of work?

My stress and anxiety was so severe I sometimes felt like I wanted to go to the hospital. Once I found breathing and began to practice, I was then able to grab a hold of that stress and anxiety. Now, I can control it by just using my breath. At that point I knew it was my calling to help others correct their breath.

3. Why is breathing correctly so important for your health?

When I tell people that I teach how to breathe correctly, I often hear, “I know how to breathe; I breathe all the time!” I then ask them the question of whether they are REALLY breathing correctly? I can relate it to anything else, such as you may know how to stand, but are you slouching? If so, you’re not really standing correctly. Breathing correctly can really improve a variety of issues such as stress, anxiety, brain fog, pain in the lower back, digestive issues, acid reflux, and the list goes on and on. 

4. Especially now with Covid-19, what do you want people to know?

THE EXHALE IS SO IMPORTANT! We all need to learn to take a full inhale, as well as a full exhale. Think of the exhale as the underdog and you have to strengthen it. Strengthening and creating flexibility within your breathing muscles is the best thing to keep your lungs healthy during this time. A quick tip is to exhale longer than your inhale.

5. What are some easy ways people can improve their breathing?

The first thing you can do is assess your body and how it moves when you breathe. You want your belly to expand on the inhale and narrow on the exhale. Do your best not to move your neck and shoulders up and down. Have someone watch you breathe to make sure just your belly is moving and not your neck and shoulders or you can look at yourself in the mirror. Inhale and expand your belly, exhale and narrow your belly. A good quick exercise you can incorporate in your life is a tactical breath. Here it is: inhale for 4 counts, hold your breath for 4 counts, exhale for 6 counts, and hold your breath for 2 counts. This will help you calm your mind! 

6. Do you offer virtual classes?

Yes! My online classes are very interactive and the best part is that you get to do it in the comfort of your own home. I will be rolling out a specialized online class for those who love to workout and want to improve their performance, strength, endurance, and recovery. 

7. What is your favorite part about being in this field?

Seeing people’s lives improve is the most rewarding part of what I do. When a client tells me that the old symptoms and issues they had experienced before have improved due to breathing or how they weaned off the anxiety medication, it’s music to my ears. It’s truly the best feeling in the world!

8. How does this help with anxiety and stress?

By doing daily breathing exercises, you can train yourself to control your stress and anxiety. Having stronger and flexible breathing muscles help you take a deeper inhale and a more efficient exhale. It will become easier to manage as you continue to practice. 

9. Anything else you would like to share?

Learn to breathe the correct way and have fun with it! It just takes one good breath to improve your life forever.