| As far as Pilates are concerned, the right breathing | | | | helps you to keep your mind clear, so you can get the |
| method is more than just a means towards doing the | | | | precise postures exactly right. |
| exercises correctly. They are not an ancillary issue | | | | If you practice yoga breathing or relaxation breathing |
| that you can ignore if you have found another way to | | | | techniques, you might have an easier time learning |
| assume the correct postures. Rather, correct breathing | | | | Pilates. This is not to say that Pilates breathing is the |
| is one of the core principles of these exercises. If you | | | | same as those other types of breathing. It means that |
| do not understand the significance of correct breathing, | | | | you will already be accustomed to paying attention to |
| you cannot do Pilates the right way. | | | | your breathing patterns, and adjusting them when |
| Joseph Pilates, the Greek-German who developed this | | | | necessary. You will not be as disoriented in the |
| set of exercises, actually believed that breathing was | | | | beginning as another person who has never tried to |
| the most important of his basic principles. He thought it | | | | regulate their breathing before. |
| was vital for getting oxygen for one's muscles, and for | | | | Then again, Pilates breathing can serve some of the |
| cleansing out toxins that caused weakness and | | | | same purposes as other types of breathing regulation. |
| disease. Besides that, he also believed that the physical | | | | Like those, it tends to enhance concentration and |
| exercises should be precisely matched with breathing, | | | | muscle relaxation. For instance, practitioners of Pilates |
| to the point that each of the exercise positions in his | | | | claim that you can reduce stiffness and strain in your |
| plan had its own set of breathing directions. We see | | | | shoulders and neck, just by following the breathing |
| once again how integral proper breathing is to these | | | | instructions, even if you do not assume the actual |
| exercises. | | | | postures. Quite a bonus, considering that the neck and |
| In order to further understand the nature of the | | | | shoulders are some of the most easily-strained areas |
| connection between Pilates breathing and exercises, | | | | of the body. Anyone who has gotten a neck-ache |
| we must go into some detail about the exercises. | | | | after a nap in the wrong position, or a few hours in an |
| Firstly, most of them are to do with the torso, closely | | | | office chair will know this. |
| engaging the muscles involved in the chest and the | | | | You can get the full benefits of Pilates, which are |
| lining-up of the spine. Of course, these muscle groups | | | | about healing and rejuvenation a well as keeping fit. |
| also tend to be involved with breathing. If your | | | | (Interesting fact: Pilates first developed his exercises |
| breathing is not compatible with the exercise, you might | | | | as a way to help heal injured German soldiers returning |
| not give your muscle the workout it needs. In fact, you | | | | from the Great War.) Combined with the physical |
| might even strain or otherwise injure yourself. | | | | exercise, Pilates breathing will not only keep you slim |
| Futhermore, Pilates are also about focus and | | | | and toned, but can also keep your system clean and |
| concentration. After all, centering is another key | | | | balanced. |
| principle of Pilates, besides breathing. Proper breathing | | | | |