A Breath of Fresh Air

The Science of Breath

This lecture will review Pilates breathing from a variety of perspectives including biomechanical, kinematic, physiological, neurohumeral, subjective, and energetic with the goals of developing a better understanding and application of Pilates breathing. The methods of breathing described by Joseph Pilates will be reviewed in relationship to the above six perspectives. The integration of Pilates breathing with current breathing research will be used to better understand the role of Pilates breathing in maintaining optimal health and wellness. Pulmonary and systemic physiology are discussed as related to exercise, as well as how Pilates breath training affects clients’ function.

• Relate current research to how Pilates breathing affects clients’ respiratory function.
• Learn the ways in which the body responds to exercise and adapts to optimize breathing.
• Analyze clients’ breathing to determine their needs and how to optimize training strategies.
• Understand the mechanisms of breathing and how to address abnormalities.