When it comes to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), mastering techniques and conditioning your body are crucial. But one often overlooked area that can massively elevate your performance is breathing. It does not matter if you are training in a BJJ Gi, rolling in a no-Gi class, or preparing for a high-stakes competition. The way you breathe directly affects your endurance, focus, strength, and even recovery.

In this article, we will dive into the best breathing exercises to boost your BJJ performance. Thus, helping you roll longer, stay calmer under pressure, and recover faster. These techniques are used by elite grapplers and athletes across various combat sports. Let’s uncover the connection between breath and BJJ excellence.

Why Breathing Matters in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, matches can be chaotic and intense. You might find yourself stuck in side control or defending a choke while your heart is pounding. If you are not breathing effectively, your muscles will fatigue faster, your mental clarity will fade, and panic can set in.

Proper breathing does more than supply oxygen. It:

• Enhances aerobic and anaerobic endurance
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
• Improves core stability and movement efficiency
• Aids in quicker recovery between rounds

Just like you drill armbars or guard passes, you should also train your breath. Let’s explore the most effective breathing exercises every BJJ practitioner should incorporate.

1- Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing

Purpose: Improve oxygen intake, reduce stress, and build foundational breathing control.

Many people breathe shallowly using their chest, especially under stress. In BJJ, this habit leads to faster fatigue and poor oxygen distribution. Diaphragmatic breathing involves using your diaphragm fully, drawing air into the belly rather than the upper chest.

How to Do It:

• Lie on your back with one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
• Inhale deeply through your nose. Let the belly rise while the chest stays still.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth or nose.
• Practice for 5-10 minutes daily or during cooldown.

This exercise should become second nature, especially when training in your BJJ Gi, which can often restrict chest expansion. Learning to breathe deeply under pressure gives you a massive edge.

2- Box Breathing (Tactical Breathing)

Purpose: Enhance focus, manage adrenaline, and maintain calm under stress.

Box Breathing is used by Navy SEALs and top athletes. It (also known as tactical breathing) is ideal for those stressful moments in a roll—like being caught under mount or while transitioning in a scramble.

How to Do It:

• Inhale for 4 seconds
• Hold for 4 seconds
• Exhale for 4 seconds
• Hold again for 4 seconds
• Repeat for 5-10 minutes

You can modify the duration depending on your level. Practicing box breathing before rolling can reduce anxiety and improve focus during live sparring.

3- Wim Hof Breathing Technique

Purpose: Boost energy, improve endurance, and enhance oxygen efficiency.

The Wim Hof Method is a powerful tool that combines deep breathing with breath-holds. It should not be done during rolling. However, doing it daily can enhance your CO2 tolerance and mental resilience—essential for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu matches.

How to Do It:

• Sit or lie down comfortably.
• Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale (not fully) through the mouth.
• Repeat this cycle rapidly for 30 breaths.
• After the 30th breath, exhale completely and hold your breath.
• Hold until you feel the need to breathe, then inhale fully and hold for 15 seconds.
• Repeat for 3 rounds.

This routine improves lung capacity, oxygen use, and mental toughness. It is perfect for BJJ athletes who want to push their limits.

4- CO2 Tolerance Training

Purpose: Improve your ability to stay calm and perform under high CO2 levels (which rise during hard rolls).

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu demands explosive effort, especially when fighting for grips in the Gi or transitioning in No-Gi. This results in increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, which can cause discomfort and panic. CO2 tolerance exercises help your body handle this stress better.

Simple Drill – Controlled Breath Holds:

• Inhale through the nose for 3 seconds
• Exhale for 6 seconds
• After exhaling, hold your breath (no air in lungs)
• Time your hold until it becomes uncomfortable (but not painful)
• Inhale gently and breathe normally for 30-60 seconds before repeating

Start with 3-5 rounds. Over time, your CO2 tolerance improves, and you will find it easier to stay composed during intense BJJ scrambles.

5- Nasal Breathing During Training

Purpose: Enhance oxygen efficiency and maintain parasympathetic (calm) state.

Breathing through your nose during rolls and drills can significantly improve performance. Nasal breathing increases nitric oxide production, which helps with blood flow and oxygen uptake. It also keeps you calmer, helping with decision-making during sparring.

How to Apply:

• Focus on breathing only through your nose during warmups and light rolls.
• Start with drills, then advance to flow rolling.
• If needed, tape your mouth during solo drills (with caution) to train nasal pathways.

This technique is incredibly valuable for both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes looking to build aerobic capacity and control.

6- Cadence Breathing for Movement Synchronization

Purpose: Improve movement efficiency and rhythm during rolls.

Cadence breathing involves syncing your breath with your movement. In BJJ, timing is everything. It does not matter whether you are executing a sweep, a guard pass, or escaping a submission. Proper breathing improves fluidity and reduces unnecessary tension.

Example:

• Inhale as you prepare or set up a move.
• Exhale forcefully as you execute the action (e.g., a guard pass or bridge escape).

You will often see high-level BJJ athletes exhale sharply during explosive moves. This stabilizes the core and maximizes power.

7- Breath Ladder (For Conditioning)

Purpose: Build cardio and breathing control under physical stress.

Breath ladders combine movement and breath control. They are excellent for grapplers who want to simulate the cardio demands of rolling while training breath management.

Sample Drill with Kettlebell Swings or Bodyweight Squats:

• Do 1 rep → 1 breath
• Do 2 reps → 2 breaths
• Continue up the ladder (e.g., to 10 reps/breaths), then come back down

This method builds lactic acid tolerance and mental resilience. And this translates directly to performance in tough BJJ Gi or No-Gi matches.

Bonus Tips: Applying Breathing in BJJ Sparring

• Before a match/roll: Use diaphragmatic or box breathing to calm nerves and lower heart rate.
• During the roll: Focus on nasal breathing, and exhale sharply with effort. Never hold your breath, especially under pressure.
• After training: Use Wim Hof or slow breathing to aid recovery, flush out cortisol, and reset your nervous system.

Final Thoughts

It does not matter if you are wearing a BJJ Gi, training No-Gi, or preparing for competition. Your breathing is as important as your takedowns or sweeps. Mastering these breathing exercises will make you a more efficient, calmer, and stronger grappler.

Start small—just 5 minutes of daily breathing practice can create noticeable results within a few weeks. Integrate these exercises into your warmups, cooldowns, and even rest days to get the full benefits.

BJJ is about control and the first thing you should learn to control is your breath.

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