Dear Reader: It’s time to inhale. 

Remember to breathe.

Do you forget to breathe?

I do. Constantly. Stressful day? Not breathing. Getting stuck in your thoughts? Definitely not breathing.

One of the best things about when I arrive in the Pilates studio is it’s often the first time in the day that I remember to breathe. It’s a visual and physical cue to check-in on whether I’ve been breathing that day.

And not just breathing to live, like – really breathing. Can I feel my ribs expand and fall when I breathe in and out? Can I feel my belly relax as I inhale? Am I clenching, or holding anywhere in my body? Can I breathe all the way up my spine? What’s my jaw doing?

Why do we care so much about breathing in Pilates?

• Breathing naturally helps to cleanse your body, through stimulating the heart and increasing blood flow.
• Breathing deeply connects mind and body, and helps you to be present in the studio. Ever tried doing a pilates exercise, trying to remember when to breathe while mentally running through your to-do list? Not possible.
• It lowers your stress response. Breathing naturally lowers your stress response. Deep breathing helps to activate your parasympathetic system, naturally lowering heart rate, increasing digestion, improving mental health, sleep and gut health.
• Combining breath with movement plays a critical role in core muscle activation.
• It also helps to keep you safe in the studio through increased core stabilisation.

Next time you drop into a Pilates class, start with your breath. Try to stop thinking about what the instructor thinks about you, the others in the class or whether or not you’re doing the moves/exercises correctly.

Breath is the basis of all exercises. You might get hung up on when you need to breathe during an exercise but the reality is, if you’re breathing (like, really breathing), you’ll get so much more from your practice.

Get started with breathing:

Try these exercises to get started with breathing in between your next class.

Box Breath

• Find a spot where you can be alone for 5 minutes.
• Close your eyes.
• Breathe in slowly for a count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four.
• Breathe out slowly and steadily through your mouth for a count of four.
• Hold your breath again for a count of four.

Play with the exhale and extend it to 10.

To do that, adjust the Box Breath as follows –

• Find a spot where you can be alone for 5 minutes.
• Close your eyes.
• Breathe in slowly for a count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four.
• Breathe out slowly and steadily through your mouth for a count of ten. Try exhaling with pursed lips.
• Hold your breath again for a count of four.

Dear Reader: It’s time to exhale.

Kat Shoobridge

Beginners can complete the more basic exercises in the sequence and leave out the more challenging ones. 

For those wanting a longer stronger workout, feel free to build up to 6-10 reps of each exercise.

Make it your New Year resolution to complete 10-30mins of Pilates most days!”

“The teachers I have worked with at Aligned For Life are all well trained, knowledgeable, have a sense of humour and know how to deal with me. A wonderful team.”

Wendy began training in Pilates with Aligned For Life in 2016, as she was entering her 70s. Wendy began Pilates as she had been experiencing ongoing neck and back issues. After attending the gym for strength and mobility exercises, a neighbour mentioned Pilates to her, and highly recommended Aligned For Life and Moonee Ponds studio owner and instructor Kath Banks.

Wendy’s neighbour told her that practicing Pilates had meant she hadn’t needed to attend a physiotherapist. Wendy gave Kath a call, and once she began her Pilates journey she never looked back!

Wendy now continues to practice Pilates as her posture, balance, strength, and neck soreness have greatly improved. Wendy is a keen walker and lives an active life, and she wishes to participate in walking holidays, and walking in her everyday life for years to come. Pilates will allow her to do this.

Recently, Wendy has completed the climb to the top of a volcano in Galapagos, without any effort!

We are so grateful to be part of this journey with Wendy.

Kim began her Pilates journey with Aligned For Life Pilates in 2012, but has been practicing Pilates since 1998. Kim began Pilates per her sister’s encouragement; as a dancer, Kim’s sister had been practicing Pilates for 3 decades. Kim’s sister urged her to attempt Pilates due to her poor posture, and at 30 years of age Kim decided to give it a go and hasn’t looked back since!

Kim continues to practice Pilates as she feels more aligned (a fitting descriptor), revitalised, and healthier after each session. The practice of Pilates with AFLP has aided Kim in continuing her hobbies, such as snowboarding, and also in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle for herself in her 56th year of life!

Thank you Kim for sharing this story, we love to hear it!

Caterina began Pilates with Aligned For Life in 2023, as she was looking for some low impact exercise to do during her pregnancy and to help with her post-partum life.

Caterina has continued to practice Pilates with us since beginning over one year ago, and after each session, says she feels taller, fitter, and much more relaxed.

Caterina feels that Pilates is not just an exercise, but is instead a full experience, and doesn’t “think (she) could have survived pregnancy and post partum if it wasn’t for Pilates, and more specifically AFLP”.

She has felt more at ease since beginning Pilates, and reports that the exercise has aided her in playing beach volleyball and doing physical activities with her daughter.

Caterina has loved her Pilates journey so much, that she decided to become a Pilates instructor herself!