What can Pilates ‘Lateral Breathing’ do for me?
Pilates benefits are endless. Pilates promotes lateral breathing, which expands your overall breathing capacity. Breathing techniques increase energy and relaxation, increase proprioception (knowing where our limbs are without having to look), and resilience to better deal with, relieve and numb chronic pain. Chronic pain is a term used for the length of time of suffering more so the type of suffering.
Breathing regulation and control are affected by our emotions and vice versa. Studies on emotions such as pleasure, pain, anger and laughter dating back to 1916 show us that our breathing has a unique signature. For example, we know that people who are depressed tend to be shallow breathers and often hyperventilate.
Whilst most of us do not classically hyperventilate, our pain, anxiety/panic, depression, insomnia, OCD, hyperactivity, asthma, gut problems, high blood pressure, etc, can be at least partly caused by not breathing well. Hypermobile frequently use a ‘bracing’ pattern with breath holding in an attempt to improve stability and use more force.
Learning correct breathing techniques is important.
We take breathing for granted. Breathing is not as simple as breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. While the main purpose of respiration is to get oxygen into the cells to help with energy production and the many cellular reactions that our bodies need to survive, this action is dependent on the adequate level of carbon dioxide being present in our bodies. Carbon dioxide is the highest in our system when we are happy.
“We are often told to ‘breathe deeply’. This concept has been taught in Yoga and meditation for many centuries. This often leads a person to a state of drowsiness, mistaken for a meditative state. This leads to hypoxia, as too much oxygen is being inhaled. A shortage of carbon dioxide in the body reduces cellular uptake of oxygen, leading to the reduction of oxygen in the bloodstream travelling to the brain and muscles. If the hypoxia is localised, extreme pain may also be felt at or around the site.” – Gerry Gajadharsingh – The Health Equation
Do you have any concerns about your breathing? Contact Hope Pilates TODAY to learn more about how we can help you.
