Why Breathing Is More Than Just Breathing in Pilates
Updated: Aug 30
One of the first things you'll notice in a Pilates class is how often your instructor talks about breathing.
"Take a breath in."
"Exhale as you press away."
"Inhale as you return."
At first, it can feel like a lot to think about.
You're concentrating on your posture, trying to remember the movement, keeping your balance, and now you're expected to think about breathing too.
But there is a reason breathing is such an important part of Pilates. It isn't simply about getting more oxygen. It's about helping your body move with greater control, awareness and intention.
Breathing Helps You Slow Down
Life is busy. Most of us spend our days rushing from one task to the next, rarely stopping to notice how we're moving. Pilates encourages the opposite. Your breath becomes an anchor.
Instead of rushing through an exercise, breathing helps create a rhythm that allows you to move with more control. Rather than simply getting through each repetition, you begin to experience each movement.
Sometimes the biggest challenge in Pilates isn't strength. It's learning to slow down.
Breathing Creates Better Movement
Have you ever noticed yourself holding your breath when something feels difficult? It's surprisingly common.
Whether you're lifting something heavy, concentrating at work or attempting a challenging exercise, many people instinctively stop breathing without even realising it. In Pilates, we try to avoid that.
A steady breath encourages smoother, more controlled movement. It helps reduce unnecessary tension and reminds us to keep moving rather than bracing against the exercise.
Over time, breathing becomes less of an instruction and more of a natural part of how you move.
Awareness Starts With Your Breath
Joseph Pilates believed breathing was fundamental to the method. He famously said,
"Above all, learn how to breathe correctly".
Breathing encourages awareness. It gives you something to focus on besides simply completing the exercise. Instead of asking, "How many repetitions have I done?" you begin asking, "How does this movement feel?".
That shift in mindset is where learning begins.
Breathing Is a Skill
Like every part of Pilates, breathing takes practice.
No one expects to master it in their first class. In fact, many people spend their first few sessions simply learning how to coordinate their breathing with movement. That's completely normal.
Just like learning to drive, play an instrument or pick up a new sport, every class builds on the last. Eventually, something that once required conscious effort becomes second nature.
Why We Talk About Breathing So Much
At One Percent Pilates, we don't ask you to focus on breathing because we're trying to make class more complicated. We do it because breathing supports everything else.
It helps you slow down.
Move with greater control.
Reduce unnecessary tension.
And become more aware of how your body moves.
Those small improvements are often what lead to meaningful progress over time.
Better Movement Starts With Better Awareness
Pilates isn't just about building strength. It's about learning how your body moves. Breathing is one of the simplest ways to develop that awareness.
The more you practise it, the more natural it becomes, not just in the studio, but in everyday life.
You may find yourself standing taller, moving more smoothly or feeling calmer during challenging moments. Sometimes the smallest habit can have the biggest impact.
And in Pilates, that habit often begins with a single breath.
Start Pilates in Fairfield
If you're looking for Pilates in Fairfield, our Reformer and Mat Pilates classes are designed to help you build strength through control, awareness and consistent practice.
If you're new to Pilates, start with our guide on What to Expect in Your First Pilates Class.
To learn why movement quality matters more than simply doing more, read Why One Good Repetition Is Better Than Ten Rushed Ones.
View our schedule or explore membership options to get started.
