As far as Pilates are concerned, the right breathing method is more than just a means towards doing the exercises correctly. They are not an ancillary issue that you can ignore if you have found another way to assume the correct postures. Rather, correct breathing is one of the core principles of these exercises. If you do not understand the significance of correct breathing, you cannot do Pilates the right way.

Joseph Pilates, the Greek-German who developed this set of exercises, actually believed that breathing was the most important of his basic principles. He thought it was vital for getting oxygen for one’s muscles, and for cleansing out toxins that caused weakness and disease. Besides that, he also believed that the physical exercises should be precisely matched with breathing, to the point that each of the exercise positions in his plan had its own set of breathing directions. We see once again how integral proper breathing is to these exercises.

In order to further understand the nature of the connection between Pilates breathing and exercises, we must go into some detail about the exercises. Firstly, most of them are to do with the torso, closely engaging the muscles involved in the chest and the lining-up of the spine. Of course, these muscle groups also tend to be involved with breathing. If your breathing is not compatible with the exercise, you might not give your muscle the workout it needs. In fact, you might even strain or otherwise injure yourself.

Futhermore, Pilates are also about focus and concentration. After all, centering is another key principle of Pilates, besides breathing. Proper breathing helps you to keep your mind clear, so you can get the precise postures exactly right.

If you practice yoga breathing or relaxation breathing techniques, you might have an easier time learning Pilates. This is not to say that Pilates breathing is the same as those other types of breathing. It means that you will already be accustomed to paying attention to your breathing patterns, and adjusting them when necessary. You will not be as disoriented in the beginning as another person who has never tried to regulate their breathing before.

Then again, Pilates breathing can serve some of the same purposes as other types of breathing regulation. Like those, it tends to enhance concentration and muscle relaxation. For instance, practitioners of Pilates claim that you can reduce stiffness and strain in your shoulders and neck, just by following the breathing instructions, even if you do not assume the actual postures. Quite a bonus, considering that the neck and shoulders are some of the most easily-strained areas of the body. Anyone who has gotten a neck-ache after a nap in the wrong position, or a few hours in an office chair will know this.

You can get the full benefits of Pilates, which are about healing and rejuvenation a well as keeping fit. (Interesting fact: Pilates first developed his exercises as a way to help heal injured German soldiers returning from the Great War.) Combined with the physical exercise, Pilates breathing will not only keep you slim and toned, but can also keep your system clean and balanced.