The most difficult thing to do when learning to swim is to regulate breathing while moving or underwater. In this article, I will share techniques used to teach breathing control while learning to swim. These activities are especially great for beginners.

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Regulating Breathing

There are many basic lessons you are taught when first learning to swim. Learning to regulate breathing is important. When you are on dry land it is easy to breath at a normal pace. When you are in the water, you may find it difficult to breath because you are moving fast or are underwater where you can’t access air.

The first exercise to practice breathing exercises is to put your face in the water and make bubbles. First, hold your breath. When your face is in the water, exhale through your nose to blow bubbles in the water. Take your face out of the water and take a breath.Repeat this exercise to practice the routine of knowing when to breath in and out while in the water.

Some swimmers don't have to hold their breath very long at all when swimming with their face underwater. Expert swimmers know how raise their face out of the water quickly to take breaths and then go back underwater to swim. They go above and below the water routinely so they aren't holding their breath long.

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Some swimmers choose to hold their breath for a longer period of time so they can stay underwater longer. Which method would you choose? I think it's up to you and should be determined by which way makes you feel more comfortable and enjoyable.

When I swim I exhale regularly and count to 10 while in the water before poking up to the waters surface. Importantly, I exhale while still in the water and not after I reach the surface of the water. If you don't regulate your breathing correctly it will make you feel tired and can cause you to panic.

As for breathing, do it with your mouth as your face rises above the water level as you swim. It might be strange at first but after you master the technique you will start doing it naturally.

• Simple exercise to practice breathing techniques out of water: Breath in air 10 seconds, then hold for 10 seconds. Exhale bit by bit until you reach the count of 10. As this exercise becomes easy for you, you can prolong breathing in longer and hold for 20-30 seconds. Then, breathe in slowly on a count of 20.

• The second exercise you can try in water: Hold your breath for 5 seconds in the beginning. This technique you will take breaths by using your mouth when you are above the water. Dive and blow out air slowly in 5 counts. After practicing counts of five, slowly increase the time holding and releasing air. The important thing is to stay relaxed and don't rush. If you can already do 5 counts then increase it to 10 counts. Practice until you feel comfortable and calm in the water.

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Tips For Teaching Students

"If you or your students are new to swimming, I suggest you to follow this very simple program first before you learn other swimming styles and swimming techniques."

If you are teaching someone to swim, here is the best way to train your students to regulate breathing:

Relax

Relaxing is one of the most important lessons student should learn. They should be able to swim calmly. For some new to swimming, being surrounded by a large body of water can be scary and tiring. Students should learn to enjoy playing in the water and should take time to adjust to being surrounded by water in the pool. Slowly ease into diving and showing students how to hold their breath underwater. Make sure they don't panic when they are underwater.

Exhale

When breathing out, students should release air little by little out of their mouths by opening their lips slightly while swinging their arms forward as they swim.

Practice until each student can hold their breath as long as they can underwater. If any student has problems catching their breath continue having them practice.

Breath Slowly

Be sure to show students how to inhale and exhale air calmly. To keep from tiring themselves out, students need to be relaxed when in the pool. It is natural to breath fast at first because the body isn't use to regulating breathing while swimming. Have students practice breathing like they do on land but deeper. Have them take breaths from the mouth and not from the nose because the nose can take longer.

Knowing The Right Time

Teach students the signs they need to knowing that signify when they need to take a breath and when to release. This is important because lacking air can cause people to panic while underwater. Not knowing how to regulate breathing can tire the body out which can be dangerous in certain swimming conditions.

Conclusion:

Breathing techniques are simple and easy to learn.Teaching breathing regulation techniques to swimming classes is extremely useful and necessary when learning to swim. Hopefully this article will be useful for you if you.

If you liked this article, check out my previous post Swimming Lesson Techniques For Teaching Children

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