WellnessBreathing
The 7 Secrets of a Powerful Exhale
3. ledna 2020
4 min read
Updated 4. 6. 2026
MF
Martina Fallerová
Movement & Wellness Expert
Who wouldn't want to stay young forever? We've been searching for the elixir of youth since time immemorial.
The most important thing we need for life is free, yet we often take it for granted: our breath. The way we breathe influences our psyche, the condition of our internal organs, and ultimately, the length of our lives. Every single cell in our body needs oxygen.
If a cell doesn't get enough oxygen, it ages and dies. Research has shown that the body derives 80% of its energy from breathing, with the remaining 20% coming from sleep and food. Despite this, most of us use only about 30% of our lung capacity.
It’s no wonder, then, that exhaustion, headaches, insomnia, and other health issues are closely linked to poor breathing. The stress and chaos of modern life force us to breathe shallowly, causing us to lose our vital life force. We’re constantly focused on how to take our next breath.
But we can only take a full, quality inhale into empty lungs.
Think about it this way: would you only pour out half the dirty water from a bucket before filling it with clean water? Of course not—the water would remain dirty. So why do we do this with our lungs?
The Secret to a Quality INHALE is a Powerful EXHALE
Focusing on a complete exhalation is the key to unlocking better breathing and better health. Here’s why:
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More Oxygen Exchange: The more you fully exhale, the greater the volume of fresh air that comes into contact with the surface of the alveoli (the tiny air sacs in your lungs) on the next inhale.
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The Inhale Follows the Exhale: A deep inhale is born from a complete exhale. That’s why your exhalation should be about twice as long as your inhalation. Try it right now. After a long, slow exhale, how does your next inhale feel?
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Prevents Toxin Buildup: A poor and incomplete exhale leads to a surplus of carbon dioxide in the body. This limits oxygen intake and reduces the quality of our blood, which can lead to various health problems.
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A Key for Respiratory Issues: The primary struggle for people suffering from shortness of breath and asthma isn't inhaling; it's exhaling. Even Joseph Pilates, the creator of the Pilates method, was asthmatic and placed a tremendous emphasis on exhalation.
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Balances Your Body’s pH: A proper exhale expels a larger amount of carbon dioxide, which helps the body become more alkaline and, therefore, healthier.
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Boosts Energy and Brain Function: With a greater amount of oxygen, your body can better utilize nutrients from food, your brain will function more effectively, and fatigue will fade away.
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A Tool for Relaxation: To exhale is to release and let go. In a world filled with stress and chaos, this simple act is a powerful tool for finding calm.
Try This Simple Exercise Right Now
Ready to feel the difference? Straighten your posture and exhale as much air as you possibly can through pursed lips. Do you feel a deep compression throughout your abdomen? Do you feel your pelvic floor lifting upward as your internal organs get a gentle massage? That’s the feeling you’re looking for.
Now, allow yourself to inhale. You’ll notice it’s much easier, and the increased oxygen will immediately begin to re-energize and heal your body.
If you'd like to read more about breathing, I have another article for you on my blog: 21 Reasons to Breathe Well >>>
And to learn HOW to breathe through your entire body, check out my e-book, HOW to BREATHE - here.
Tags
#breathing techniques#exhalation#health#stress relief#mindfulness#pilates
