Take a deep breath. Staying calm during the global pandemic starts with a breath. But many entrepreneurs aren’t slowing down because they see this time as a chance to help people. Tara Gordon, owner and founder of 212 Pilates, wanted a way to help COVID-19 patients in recovery. She created 212:Breathe, which includes breathing exercises that help combat the effects of respiratory disease as well as anxiety. Anyone can follow the videos, from sick patients to stressed nurses. Gordon and her founding partner, Sonja Brigham, chat with Bold TV about 212:Breathe and how it works. David even gets a session during the interview!
How breathing exercises can help patients
What are the basic benefits of breathing exercises? When the breathing exercises are done properly, you enter into a parasympathetic state. You’re no longer in fight-or-flight mode. Breathwork retrains your breathing muscles and expands your lung space. Some patients of respiratory illness have to be intubated or ventilated to help them breathe. After this experience, some patients’ bodies forget how to use those muscles on their own. The muscles can lose muscle memory as well as tone. Breathing exercises can strengthen the torso and help the body regain its strength.
Quick tips for a good breathing session
First, make sure you have good posture. This affects your lung capacity and, then, your oxygen levels. Next, make sure your chin is not jutting forward. Your head should be in line with your spine and tailbone. Then, make sure you’re not compressing your ribcage. When you breathe, your diaphragm needs to expand. But if your posture is bad, you breathe with the muscles in your neck instead of your diaphragm. If you need more help, check out 212:Breathe’s many online resources. And take a deep breath.