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
“I have always been physically active and have always realised the importance of this part of my life. However, I have never realised the importance of a trainer until I met Sharon.
I have attended gym for many years in the past however, I am an avid push bike rider now and that has been my focus for some years. It became apparent over the last year that this type of exercise was not ideal in isolation as some muscle groups were being overworked and some muscle groups were not being worked enough. It was even a possibility that I might not be able to continue with my riding which was terrible news to me. I was advised by health professionals that Pilates could possibly be the solution to my situation so I set about researching Pilates classes/trainers.
Trying to work through who would be the ideal Pilates instructor became my focus and, after my first conversation with Sharon, it was extremely easy for me to realise I had found my trainer. We spoke for over an hour as a phone consult and Sharon was compassionate and understanding and understood immediately what my predicament was.
When we met in person for a consultation and training session, I was amazed at the depth of knowledge Sharon had, not only about the mechanics of the body, but the complex techniques that are involved with Pilates training. Additionally, Sharon has an equal focus on the mental well being of her clients and, in my case, has never allowed me to falter from my goal to achieve flexibility, strength and muscle balance.
After three months of being unable to push bike ride, I have now returned to riding which I could not have imagined being able to do again. My personal training sessions with Sharon and attending her Pilates classes are an integral part of my life now. I could not be more grateful for Sharon’s amazing support, knowledge and encouragement.”
Carolyn G - Google Review
