Just Breathe

Let’s focus on one of the Basic Principles of Pilates!BREATHINGPROPER BREATHING:

• Focuses the mind on each task
• Helps avoid unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders during exercise
• Exhaling deeply helps activate the deep abdominals (transversus abdominis) to remain stable throughout an exercise
• Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth can help regulate the breath and encourage a fuller breath pattern
• Exhaling through slightly pursed lips facilitates a deeper contraction of the abdominal muscles

EXPERIMENTING WITH BREATHINGNoticing natural breath pattern:While lying on your back, breathe in through your nose, and notice your natural breath pattern.  Is one area affected more than others: the abdominal cavity, upper chest, sides or back of the rib cage?Breathing while hugging knees:Sit on a mat, upper body and head rounded forward, hands resting on knees or shins, neck relaxed.Focus on sending breath into the back and side of the rib cage.  Avoid a shallow breath only into the upper chest and shoulders.  Place your hands on your lower ribs and encourage expansion while engagement of the abdominal wall is maintained. Written by Autumn DawsonInformation generated from Merrithew Corporation (STOTT PILATES parent company)