How To Breathe The Pilates Way

Pilates works wonders when it comes to building a strong core and creating feelings of calm – a large part of this comes down to the focus on breathing.

The different ways to breathe

Did you know … we take approximately 22,000 breaths each day. Most of the time we do it without a second thought. This is ‘normal breathing’ where each inhale and exhale is passive, seamlessly flowing in and out. But during some activities, like Pilates, using controlled and mindful breathing can boost the physical and mental perks.  

What’s the difference between Pilates breathing and yoga breathing?

Yoga breathing focuses on the inhale and what’s called diaphragmatic breathing. This is when you breathe in deep and draw the air right down into your belly to the point you feel your belly expand. This diaphragmatic breathing is designed to create a relaxing sensation in your core.

Pilates breathing involves taking a normal breath in through the nose and then, rather than draw the breath into your belly, you draw it into your ribcage and expand your ribs laterally. On the exhale, you’re trying to breathe out through your mouth. Dr. Gillian Hatfield, an Associate Professor in Kinesiology and Pilates trainer explains: “While it’s not a forceful exhale, it does take a bit of effort and focus. It is kind of like you’re breathing out through a straw.” When you breathe like this and focus on expanding the ribcage, you end up engaging your abdominal muscles during both the inhale and exhale.

IN A NUTSHELL:
Yoga breathing is about breathing deep into the belly and relaxing the abdominals. Pilates breathing is about engaging the abdominals.

Why is Pilates breathing beneficial?

Normally our muscles relax when we exhale, but using Pilates breathing and focusing on exhaling out through the mouth helps ensure the abdominal muscles stay switched on. Researchers put this to the test by getting a group of exercisers to do the same set of Pilates exercises while breathing normally and then while doing Pilates breathing. They found Pilates breathing leads to higher muscle activation in the abdominals and back.

Pilates breathing leads to higher muscle activation in the abdominals and back.

The focus on breathing is also likely to contribute to the calming effect of Pilates.  “You’re focusing on the movement and the breath, so you have to let go of everything else. It’s time away from your daily stresses and that’s what leaves you feeling calm,” says Gillian. She adds that when researchers explored how Pilates participation affects heart rate variability (which is a measure of nervous system stress) they found just 12 weeks of Pilates can spark a significant improvement. The study shows those who did Pilates three times a week had increased heart rate variability, indicating they’re better able to regulate their nervous system and deal with stress and anxiety.

Breathwork also brings more awareness to the way you move – which can help you move more safely and reduce injury risk. “If you’re breathing slowly and doing a five-second inhale and five-second exhale, it helps you to move slowly, encouraging you to move with control rather than relying on momentum,” adds Gillian. For Pilates trainer Summer Bradley, the Pilates breathing techniques help her feel more in control and train more effectively across all her workouts. “Moving with control gives me the time to correct my alignment and has strengthened my core and glutes.”

And the benefits extend beyond working out. Gillian explains: “Like many people, I tend to hold my breath when I’m feeling stressed or anxious, but Pilates has helped me have more awareness of my breathing, and how I can use breathing to influence my mood, energy and emotions.”

HOW TO ‘BREATHE THE PILATES WAY’

It can be hard to coordinate breathing and moving. Focus on doing the exercise in the first instance, do a couple of reps of the move and then layer in your focus on breathing.

#1 Breathe in normally through your nose

#2 Think about directing your breath to the sides of your ribs

#3 Exhale through your mouth

#4 Time your breath so you’re exhaling on the hardest part of the move (so you’re engaging your core during the hardest part of the exercise).

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Dr. Gillian Hatfield

Dr. Gillian Hatfield is a biomechanics and athletic injuries teacher and researcher, with a background in physiotherapy. She specializes in biomechanics and muscle activation patterns, with a particular interest in the effect of exercise interventions. In addition to being an Associate Professor in Kinesiology at Canada's University of the Fraser Valley, Dr. Hatfield is also a certified Les Mills Instructor.

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