JUST BREATHE

Stress. It seems to be a part of life. Change is stressful; new schools, new friends, new jobs, moving, family changes and the list goes on and on. So I was sitting at desk late night, which always seems when I am most “productive” and my Apple Watch goes, “Breathe – Breathing can reduce stress.” So I took a moment to open the “breathe app” and follow this flower with each long inhale and exhale. It was one minute and wow, oxygen really does help!

I was also doing a bit of research lately on Joseph Pilates, the inventor of the Pilates Method, and the benefits of Pilates as a form of exercise, rehabilitation and strength training.  Pilates is one of the pillars of our barre method, Mind Over Matter Method and the big part of this form of exercise and hence our barre technique is using your breath to maximize the effectiveness of each exercise. It seems so simple, yet it is so hard. It requires concentration and focus. As you use your breath deliberately and properly, each exercise will be more effective. Think of our flat back exercise in class. As you inhale, your lungs expand outwardly so that you can maintain alignment. As you exhale, we focus on bringing our rib cage and hip bones together, again maintaining alignment.  The whole exercise is really all about breath. The movement itself is small.  When you take our Pilates Workshop this weekend on Saturday, I want you to focus on your breath.  See how each inhale and exhale can make a difference for your technique, and exercise. And remember, as delve into this new school year, season changes and any transition that you may be going through at home, work, school, family or life; “JUST BREATHE”.  Whenever you feel any stress coming on, take a moment to breathe and listen to your breath, think happy thoughts, and take that one minute for yourself.

Sharing Barre Love,

Orlee