Joseph Pilates was passionate about breath and breathing! Here are some things he had to say about breath:
Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.
the nose is for breathing. The mouth is for kissing.
You must out the air to in the air.
The Mat Starts with the Hundred
The mat starts with the Hundred which is all about breathing. Typically you inhale for 5 pumps of the arms and then exhale for 5 pumps of the arms. As you advance in your breathing you go for 6 then 7 and then 8 pumps for each inhale and exhale. Then to really improve your lung capacity and detoxify your system you’ll want to inhale for 5 pumps but exhale for 8 pumps!! All while breathing through your nose – because the mouth is for kissing. :-)
“Breath”
I’m in the middle of reading James Nestor’s best selling book entitled “Breath”. Let me tell you, Joseph was way ahead of his time. Based on the results of the scientists whose life work has been on breath and breathing, here are some interesting facts from Nestor’s book.
Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing has hugely derogatory affects on our body, it’s systems and even our brain. By simply focusing on breathing ONLY through their nose participants in these scientific studies had these results:
- Lower blood pressure
- Significant reduction in snoring and elimination (yes, really) of sleep apnea (no more c-pap)
- Improvement in brain function reducing symptoms of ADHD (do you know that in cultures that teach children to breath through their noses, there is zero ADHD)
- Reduction in allergies and an increase in the body’s ability to retain water (mouth breathing causes the body to lose 40% more water).
- The list goes on and on.
The Nose
When we breathe through the nose, we breathe as our body is designed to breathe. The nose clears the air, heats it and moistens it for easier absorption – it prepares the body to receive the life giving oxygen which triggers the body to do “it’s thing” with enzymes, hormones, muscle tissue and brain function.
“The nose is the gatekeeper of our body, pharmacist to our minds and weathervane to our emotions.” – James Nestor in Breath.
The book is hugely fascinating and very well written. So, at least give nose breathing a try in your next Pilates lesson, or any exercise activity. I know Robert and I are making it a habit. Nothing to lose, much to gain by such a simple adjustment.