Breath work and psychology: Hong Kong athletes and weekend warriors tapping new ideologies for edge in competing and life

Hong Kong clinical psychologist Astrid Merkt says she has a number of clients who are looking for the ‘athlete’s edge’

Sports psychology, which includes breath work and talk therapy, are becoming the norm for professionals in all walks of life

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Athletes and weekend warriors are using breath work along with talk therapy as another weapon to get better at their sport and life. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 12:00pm, 25 Feb 2021Updated: 12:13pm, 25 Feb 2021

Athletes and weekend warriors are tapping new forms of holistic treatment looking for an “athlete’s edge” in sport and in life, said Hong Kong clinical psychology Astrid Merkt.

Merkt, who works with a number of elite athletes in Hong Kong, has been incorporating breathing exercises with talk therapy as the sporting world continues to embrace the mind as a key component for success.

“There are two main struggles when it comes to fear of failure,” said Merkt about the biggest issue athletes of all walks of life face. “One is finding the root of real fear, and then allowing it to surface and tackle it.”

Sport psychology has been booming in the past few years with top professional athletes embracing talk therapy, meditation, mindfulness, breath work and philosophy as a key component of their training. Merkt said this fear of failure is common in athletes, or even weekend warriors who take their pastimes seriously.

Hong Kong clinical psychologist Astrid Merkt works with a number of elite athletes in breath work and talk therapy. Photo: Edmond So

“The truth is, most of them aren’t quite aware of what they’re afraid of. They usually say losing, failing, not winning, but there are always deeper fears.”