“Even if you follow no other instructions, learn to breathe correctly.” -Joseph Pilates
Pilates practice can increase the strength of not only your body, but your mind as well. Developed by Joseph Pilates, a German gymnast in the early 20th century, pilates uses the mind to the control the muscles of the body. Jospeh Pilates originally called his core-muscle strengthening technique “Contrology.” These core muscles help provide balance for the body and support for the spine. The core muscles of the torso are also strengthened by supreme pilates breathing techniques.
Arguably the most important part of pilates is proper breathing. Breathing helps bring vital oxygen to all the cells in the body through blood circulation. Your body becomes tired during exercise because your cells are producing waste which clogs up your system. Proper breathing and blood circulation also help remove cell waste – giving you more energy. Joseph Pilates recommended forced exhalation as a way to improve full inhalation. If you’re not exhaling completely, your lungs won’t be empty and you won’t be able to inhale completely. Joseph Pilates said, “Squeeze out the lungs as you would wring a wet towel dry.”
Proper breathing brings more oxygen to your muscles and can help reduce tension in your shoulders and neck. With each inhale, breathe deep into the sides and back of your rib cage. With each exhale, pay attention to the flex of your core (deep abdominal) muscles and pelvic floor muscles. Maintain this engagement of the core and pelvic floor muscles with each subsequent inhale, thus strengthening your core with pilates supreme.
Proper breathing and pilates practice can improve overall strength, joint mobility and muscle flexibility as well as improving the immune system. Pilates and correct breathing can help you be more in tune with your body, improving your overall wellbeing.
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