Pilates is one option for keeping the body strong, flexible, and adaptable. However, if you are looking for ways to get the most out of your Reformer Pilates classes, it comes down to more than just working harder, pushing yourself, and increasing exercise difficulty.
In fact, approaching Pilates this way can cause more harm than good! Instead, consider a holistic approach to your Pilates experience, including the power of breathing and the role of general wellness in how you move and grow.
While everyone’s body and goals are individual, a few basic principles underpin most successful Pilates approaches: a focus on wellness in general and consideration inward to the self, not just the body. To these ends, breathwork and acupuncture complement Reformer Pilates classes well and improve the experience!
Breathwork: A Core Wellness Principle
Breathwork is the process of being intentional about how you breathe, such as the depth of your breath, how long you hold or release it, and so on. Breathwork is a valuable asset in any wellness regimen, and it has plenty to contribute to Pilates.
For example, studies show that intentional, controlled breathing supports relaxation and is a powerful stress reliever. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of resting. Breathwork can help you to decrease your heart rate and blood pressure and calm your mind. That is why it is commonly a part of a holistic wellness approach, of which Pilates is also a good addition!
How to Do Breathwork
Breathwork does not need to mean sitting quietly in the dark for 30 minutes while breathing with intention (although it can if that works for you!). Even small pauses to take some deep breaths can have a big difference. Some of the simplest ways to incorporate more measured breathing into your daily routine include:
Doing a set of five deep breaths each time you complete a task- Choosing specific times, such as before a meal or before bed, to do breathwork
- Setting reminders on your phone or smartwatch to do a short breathwork session every hour
Breathwork translates well into Pilates, too! Try breathing in for six seconds, holding for four, breathing out for six, and holding for four in between each Pilates exercise to see how it impacts your physical and mental wellness.
Acupuncture as Part of the Path to Wellness
Acupuncture is the process of inserting thin needles into specific points in the body to relieve pain or achieve other effects. Some people think that it stimulates the immune system, which helps to keep you healthy, while others attribute its benefits to an adjustment of the way your energy flows.
Regardless of which approach you take, studies show that acupuncture is effective at reducing many types of pain, nausea, vomiting, and even seasonal allergies. As a broader part of a person’s focus on wellness, acupuncture is a smart inclusion.
If you are unsure whether acupuncture might be a good fit for you, Dr. Teresa McFarland is leading an acupuncture workshop at her wellness clinic in downtown Vienna, VA! Stop by to learn more about how this wellness modality works and whether it complements your Pilates goals and challenges!
Combining Breathwork and Acupuncture for the Best Results
For those looking to do everything they can to improve their Pilates experience, breathwork and acupuncture can work very well together. Measured breathing helps release tension, improving the comfort and efficacy of acupuncture administration. Similarly, acupuncture can help you feel better, keeping you active and strong! This, in turn, can help boost your lung capacity and oxygen efficiency.
Every person’s situation is exclusive, but it is worthwhile to investigate how breathwork, acupuncture, or both could become a valuable part of your wellness routine. Investing in your own physical and mental well-being sets you on a solid foundation for Pilates growth so you can achieve more strength, balance, flexibility, and confidence.
Don’t Miss the Acupuncture Workshop!
Dr. Teresa McFarland’s acupuncture workshop is an accessible, bite-sized way to learn about wellness options that could improve your life. Take some time to visit, learn more about acupuncture, and try some breathwork in your free time to see how your body responds.
The team at RTR Pilates welcomes our participants to embrace a holistic approach to health, and we love to see people in our class flourish with the routines that work best for them! Contact RTR Pilates to sign up for a class and feel the difference a complete wellness routine makes.