Pilates & Asthma
Breathing is something that everybody does, it’s automatic and we don’t need to think about it. However, breathing is actually a pretty complex process that involves many joints and muscles and is responsive to both voluntary and involuntary control.
For people with asthma, however, breathing has a total different meaning. Asthma causes airways to become blocked or constricted and that causes wheezing, coughing and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Pilates exercises, with specific Pilates breathing technique, is a good and efficient way to control the breathing and get more awareness of it. Joseph Pilates himself had asthma as a child and he obviously got his own interest to create his exercise method around a proper, controlled breathing and mind-and-body connection.
The Pilates breathing, also called lateral breathing, encourages optimal movement of rib cage and increases its mobility, and helps also correctly contract and expand core muscles, which all are very important for people with asthma.
In essence, Pilates breathing technique helps asthma clients to:
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improve ventilation
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increase the effectiveness of cough mechanism and promote airway clearance
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improve the strength, endurance and coordination of the muscles of ventilation
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maintain or improve chest and thoracic spine mobility
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correct inefficient or abnormal breathing patterns and decrease the work of breathing
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promote relaxation and relieve stress
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enhance better posture
A proper, effective lateral breathing is fundamental for all Pilates exercises. Unfortunately, some instructors don’t understand the importance of proper breathing technique while teaching Pilates.
A correct Pilates breathing is a key to proper muscle contraction as these two functions go hand in hand. Pilates private sessions with experienced Pilates instructor are very beneficial for Asthma clients to improve not only controlled breathing and better ventilation but the overall functional capacity for daily life, occupational & recreational activities and sport.
(the above article is from
https://pilateswise.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/pilates-is-very-beneficial-for-asthma/)
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