Transferring breathing from Pilates to swimming

1) Pilates and breathing

In all exercises, the breath and awareness of stabilisation should precede the actual movement. Exhaling deeply helps activate the deep support muscles of the body. A three-dimensional breath pattern is encouraged, expanding the rib cage in all directions without neglecting anterior, lateral or posterior portions. During exhalation the rib cage closes in and down. Breathing with a measure carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange promotes effective oxygenation of the blood which makes you more alter and enables you to focus the mind on each task. It also helps dissolve unnecessary tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders and mid-back. 

Pilates helps ensure that you are giving time and strength to your weak side

2) Its application to swimming

In swimming, speed comes massively from the core, so Pilates helps immensely. Apart from the core strength you get (like really get because you’re working the deep stabilising muscles and can’t “fake it”), breathing in Pilates also helps you understands minute movements of your body and how great an impact they have and how you can control them.  This sounds particularly familiar because in swimming, where technique is so important and you can find yourself debating the positioning of the thumb on entry into the water, it is paramount to make tiny adjustments to your stroke that will have a significant impact, so understanding this out of the water can only aid these adjustments in the water.

Pilates allows you the time to build those muscles that have “switched off”

If we don’t breathe bilaterally, we are breathing one-sided and this type of breathing can lead to misalignment and a strong and weak side, which in turn can lead to issues. Pilates helps ensure that you are giving time and strength to your weak side.  Additionally, the body loves to resort to the easy option and use one muscle instead of multiple (specifically of concern for swimming with the complex shoulder muscle taking so much of a battering). Pilates allows you the time to build those muscles that have “switched off”.