Your workout isn’t done until you “tone down.”

Your workout isn’t done until you “tone down.” I’ve moved away from using the phrase “cool down” because that presumes that the goal of the intervention is to manage internal body temperature. The real focus should be on managing “hypervigilance.” Exercise by definition increases sympathetic tone, which when programmed correctly produces desirable training effects. Conversely, deep diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to increase parasympathetic tone, enhancing our body’s restorative processes. Conscious breath training is our window into managing the autonomic nervous system. Pictured above is my rowing group from Riverside Boat Club finishing their work out with diaphragmatic breathing followed by Controlled Articular Rotations. Practicing as little as twenty diaphragmatic breaths post-workout followed by light active mobility drills can help to improve and maintain joint function and jumpstart recovery via parasympathetic activity. #tonedown #recovery #PRI #FRC @bodybyboyle @movementasmedicine @kev_in_carr

A photo posted by Movement As Medicine (@movementasmedicine) on Apr 9, 2015 at 12:08pm PDT