What is Pilates breathing?
Breathing is a fundamental aspect of Pilates that is often underestimated by newcomers. While we naturally breathe all day long, Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates method, recognized the significance of conscious breathing. As someone who faced respiratory challenges throughout his life, he emphasized the importance of inhaling fresh air and exhaling stale air. He considered our lungs as bellows and viewed deep and full breathing as a crucial element in achieving overall health and vitality.
In Pilates, a specific breathing technique is employed, which may differ from other movement disciplines like dance, sports, or yoga. Santa Barbara-based Pilates instructor Meredith Rogers visualizes the core as a cylinder, encompassing the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom of the body.
Rogers explains, “With each breath, I focus on the bottom of the cylinder, the pelvic floor, and the top of the cylinder, the diaphragm, rising and falling. Simultaneously, the abdominal and back muscles expand, as do the sides of the body.”
Pilates places great emphasis on core stability and strength. As a result, the abdominal muscles are contracted during practice, making it challenging to take deep belly-expanding breaths, as commonly done in yoga. Instead, Pilates encourages “lateral” breathing, filling the side ribs and back body with air. This allows for optimal oxygen intake while engaging the abdominal region. The “in and up” or “scoop” of the abdominal muscles also helps protect the lower back during demanding exercises and daily activities.
Different Pilates exercises incorporate specific breath patterns that serve various purposes. These patterns recruit the appropriate muscles, establish rhythm and consistency in movement, facilitate body elongation, and aid in mental focus. For example, the Hundred exercise involves a familiar five-count inhale and five-count exhale, while twisting movements like the Saw and Short Box are executed on the exhale. Although it may seem daunting to learn both the exercises and their accompanying breath patterns, with time, you’ll discover how the breath enhances each movement, becoming second nature to you.
While breath control is essential in Pilates, it’s crucial not to let it impede your movement. It’s better to breathe comfortably rather than holding your breath or becoming overly fixated on breathing “correctly” during your Pilates practice. It’s important to note that different instructors may teach different breath patterns for the same exercise based on their training or personal preferences.
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