Pilates Breathing Exercises

Pilates concentrates on the correct use of breathing for each and every movement...

Therefore, to obtain the full benefit of Pilates exercise you need to understand and effectively utilize Pilates breathing.

People tend to breathe slowly into their upper bodies when they inhale, inhaling into their upper chest and not down into their lower lobes.

Breathing deeply into your abdominal muscles and utilizing full lung capacity allows you to work from the inside out, energizing and nourishing large areas of your body.

When doing Pilates, breathing is essential to keeping the muscles and brain oxygenated. Therefore, most Pilate's exercises include specific breathing instructions.

Please note...  This website is written by a patient, NOT a practitioner.  Therefore, be sure to consult with a medical professional before engaging in new exercise.

What are Pilates exercises that teach breathing?

Try these beginner breathing exercises to get an appreciation for air capacity. They can be done while on your back with your knees bent, or while sitting. They can also be great office chair exercise for relaxation! 

Begin with a straight spine and relaxed shoulders.

Inhale - Breathe in slowly through your nose, dropping your belly down. Let the air flow gradually into your chest, then into your sides and lower ribs, filling the diaphragm and then the mid and lower back all the way down to your pelvis.

Exhale - Exhale slowly, letting the air leave your body in the reverse order of how you inhaled. Feel your stomach compress and then your back and ribs begin to drop, as well as your chest.

Doing Pilates breathing exercises several times in a row can help you understand how they are meant to work.

Tips:

• Inhale through your nose. However, exhaling through your mouth with your lips pursed may allow for a slower, more controlled exhale.
  
  
• As you inhale allow your belly to relax. If your belly is tight, as when you are holding it in, you will not have enough room to allow the air in.
  
  
• Concentrate not only on your breathing but also the feeling of your expanded rib cage and the widening of your mid-section.
  
  
• As you intake air awareness of your elongating spine will help you in later Pilates exercise regimen.