The Power of Breath

“Breathing is the first act of life, and the last.”

 BREATHING IS THE LOST ART OF FITNESS

Without a full anatomy lesson, Lateral Diaphragmatic Breathing allows deep core engagement while keeping the spine safe, all while regulating intra-abdominal pressure balance. 

BREATHING EXERCISE: EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF

• Take a moment to tap into your breath.

• Inhale deeply through your nose.

• Exhale deeply through pursed lips. Imagine expressing all of the stale, stagnant air out of the bottom of your lungs. Now, layer in how your rib cage and belly move with each breath.

• Inhale, take the breath to the mid thoracic spine, instead of the tops of the lungs, as your floating ribs expand outward, like bellows. This is when your diaphragm and pelvic floor lower.

• Exhale, funnel your ribs tightly around your spine and down into your pelvis. This is when your diaphragm and pelvic floor lift. 

• Continue this Inhale and Exhale a few more times. Close your eyes, quiet your mind, and listen to how your body feels.

MASTER YOUR BREATHING AND MASTER YOUR CRAFT

My friend, Erin Jade (IG @movementfluency) explained it best. 

“Visualize any skilled athlete: anyone interacting with objects, with time, with their limbs in space, hoping intention meets outcome. This is coordination. It’s grace, effortlessness, complexity disguised as simplicity.”

The very essence of Pilates is the coordination of breath and movement...

Power with poise.

Balance, control, and mastery of our movements. 

In addition, LDB facilitates safety during strain, keeping our spine protected. The deep cleansing breath cycles also help us to calm our parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to sustain poses and movements with greater ease.

Have you ever felt like you’ve wanted to crawl out of your skin when you’re feeling the burn or when you’re anxious? Try LDB next time, and experience more sustainability and serenity. 

LETS CONNECT

If you’re interested in learning more about LDB, Pilates, and movement, please reach out to me through Instagram @Sara_Ortlip_Pilates, email SaraOrtlipPilates@gmail.com, or by calling 614-404-0485.