Concentrating on the breathing technique alone will help to bring those stress levels down. Then adding movements to lengthen and strengthen your muscles, whilst you are concentrating on your breath, will help this further. Because both the breathing technique and the controlled movements requires full concentration:- so you won’t be thinking about what’s stressing you out! Therefore, this allows you to have a “mental break†from your stressful thoughts. It is also designed to help keep stress and tension out of the neck, shoulders and lower back.
At the beginning of each class, we always start with a number of cycles of Ocean Breathing, this allows you to “set aside†that mental list of never ending tasks, or emotional/physical stress you may have. Swipe it to the side, or off screen, like you would on your smart phone or tablet. This sets the scene for the rest of the session and allows you to get more benefits out of your Pilates.
Try it now:
- Inhale through your nose, into your upper back and underarms for a count of 4.
- Exhale through your mouth, in a half yawn position, for a count of 6. Sigh out as you exhale.
- Breathe in to fill your lungs.
- Breathe out to empty the lungs.
- Breathe away your stress!
Just 2 minutes a day of this type of breathing can have a huge impact on your stress levels and your stamina. Imagine how you will feel after an hour’s class?!
The first 2 principles of Pilates are: Concentration and Breathing. There are 6 others.
Want to know more, contact me on 0414 465 542