Journal In class · 2 min read
Breathing cues, explained
What instructors mean by the breathing cues you hear in class, and what to do when you lose the rhythm.
Pilates classes use breathing cues to set the pace of each exercise. They can sound unfamiliar at first. This is what the common ones ask you to do.
Inhale to prepare, exhale to move
Many exercises start with an inhale while you hold still, then an exhale as you move. The exhale usually goes with the part of the movement that takes the most effort, such as pressing the carriage out or lifting your head from the mat.
Breathe into the back and sides of the ribs
This cue asks you to let your ribcage widen sideways and towards your back as you inhale, and to keep your shoulders where they are. Resting a hand on each side of your ribs helps you feel it.
Keep breathing
When an exercise is hard, it is common to hold your breath without noticing. “Keep breathing” is a reminder to keep a steady rhythm, even if it no longer matches the count.
When you lose the rhythm
Pause, take an ordinary breath, and join again on the next repetition. A steady pace matters more than matching every cue exactly. If a cue does not make sense to you, ask the instructor after the class.
