Tips for Better Breathing

Correct breathing plays an important role in any woman’s health and well-being. Breathing affects the nervous system, which in turn affects the heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to the organs and muscles, and breathing rate. 

Here are some tips to check your breathing for maintaining health and vitality through good breathing habits:

• Breathe through the nose and not the mouth

• Have a positive posture - slouching not only put strain on the back muscles but also restricts proper breathing

• Try to sit tall in chairs and when standing both feet must support the body

• Learn to stretch regularly. Good posture also improves the way you look and projects confidence

• Learn to relax. Practicing relaxing techniques allows the body to help restore good breathing, for example yoga.

• Engage in exercising. Exercises encourage good use of a person’s breath and strengthen the diaphragm muscles.

Here is a valuable breathing test:

Stand in front of a mirror with one hand on the chest and the other on the stomach. Take a deep breath. Which hand moved the most? If the hand on the stomach extended reasonably while there was minimal chest movement, then you are breathing correctly. If your chest lifted first with little movement in your stomach, then your breathing is shallow. Consciously breathe into your stomach area and feel it expand. You need to practice this exercise regularly.

By Danie de Villiers - freelance services

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What is Pilates Exercise?

Pilates is an exercise designed to tone, stretch, and balance and strengthen the body. This is achieved through a series of body movements combined with a focus of breathing patterns. Although equipment can be used, the technique is similar to yoga in the sense that your body is the only tool you need.

There are many benefits of Pilates:

-Increased agility and flexibility

- Improved body strength without developing significant muscle mass

- Improved balance and co-ordination

- Noticeable toning of the body particularly in the thighs, buttocks and stomach

- An overall feeling of mind and body harmony 

Pilates incorporates many of the techniques used by its much older sister Yoga. They are both low impact forms of exercise with a focus on posture, flexibility and concentration. However there are differences. Pilates uses a series of machines and tools where yoga only uses the occasional strap or weight. In Yoga you move from one static position to another, whereas in Pilates you maintain your posture and perform movements from there.

A guide to the exercise Pilates

Pilates is a form of exercise designed to tone, stretch, balance and strengthen the body. This is achieved through a series of body movements combined with a focus of breathing patterns. Although equipment can be used, the technique is similar to yoga in the sense that your body is the only tool you need.

The technique has been used for many years but only recently has it impacted the public consciousness. Nearly everybody knows someone who has tried it or indeed is still doing it.

What will it do for me?

There are many benefits of Pilates but you will only get out what you put in. Don't expect overnight miracles but a genuine level of commitment will produce results sooner than you may think. Pilates can have the following effects:

-Increased agility and flexibility

- Improved body strength without developing significant muscle mass

- Improved balance and co-ordination

- Noticeable toning of the body particularly in the thighs, buttocks and stomach

- An overall feeling of mind and body harmony

Isn't it just the same as yoga?

Pilates incorporates many of the techniques used by its much older sister Yoga. They are both low impact forms of exercise with a focus on posture, flexibility and concentration. However there are differences. Pilates uses a series of machines and tools where yoga only uses the occasional strap or weight. Also in Yoga you move from one static position to another, whereas in Pilates you maintain your posture and perform movements from there.

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