| Chess is a game that captures the imagination, as in | | | | that will show you a whole new way of looking at |
| Arturo Perez-Reverte's popular novel The Flanders | | | | chess. You might come up with brand-new moves |
| Panel. The game's sedentary nature ironically adds to | | | | that you never would have thought of from your usual |
| its excitement, creating a little world where nothing | | | | perspective on the game. |
| exists except you, your opponent and the chessboard. | | | | However, you should not just limit better breathing to |
| Chess games, especially in the big tournaments, can | | | | your championship games. Use it in your practice |
| require you to stay seated for hours at a time, thus | | | | games, or even when you are not playing at all. Better |
| causing poor circulation. This can lead to serious | | | | breathing is great for your body, no matter what you |
| cardiovascular health problems over time, such as | | | | are doing. Also, once better breathing practices |
| deep vessel thrombosis. On a more immediate | | | | become habitual, you will not have to concentrate on |
| timescale, it can lead to soreness and stiffness of the | | | | improving breathing while you are playing. You can get |
| muscles, and to sluggishness of the brain. | | | | the advantages of yoga breathing without being |
| Improving your breathing during chess games can also | | | | distracted by getting the inhale-exhale techniques right. |
| help you psychologically. Controlled, long, deep | | | | It would be silly to expect you to lose your |
| breathing can soothe your nerves. In other words, you | | | | concentration over a technique that is supposed to |
| can use better breathing to prevent a panic attack if | | | | enhance your focus. |
| your opponent surprises you with a brilliant, unexpected | | | | This is why practice outside of big games is |
| move. Needless to say, this has real practical benefits. | | | | necessary: by the time your critical moment comes |
| Chess is a game of the mind. The player who has the | | | | around, your better breathing practices have become |
| calm, clear mind will win. | | | | ingrained. Breathing aids (as in special equipment you |
| There are lots of ways to pick up these types of | | | | purchase to build your lung capacity) might help to |
| improved breathing practices. You might take yoga | | | | hasten this process. |
| classes, for example. These are available at many | | | | Chess can be a highly addictive game. It consumes |
| fitness centers, usually in versions that excise the | | | | your thoughts and efforts, even if your next match is |
| religious and philosophical aspects from the physical | | | | far away. However, while you are trying to remember |
| practices. Then again, you might be interested in | | | | old tips and tricks, and design new strategies, do |
| learning the spiritual aspects of yoga breathing, as well. | | | | remember to look after your body and mind by |
| In that case, you might do research on the recent | | | | practicing optimal breathing. Yoga breathing, especially, |
| writings of Buddhist and Hindu spiritual leaders. You | | | | is not only good for your game, but offers you |
| might consider this another benefit of doing yoga: it can | | | | indispensable health benefits. How's that for a great |
| be a gateway to other mindsets or conscious planes | | | | victory? |