What on Earth – Don’t I Know How to Breathe?

“Method Putkisto is more than just exercise – it teaches you how to live more freely and deeply.”

I often hear how joy in life is eroded by anxiety, fear, lack of sleep and aches and pains. The mechanism of breathing becomes disrupted when stress enters our lives and quite literally tightens around the throat.

No wonder it’s hard to concentrate. Shallow breathing means less oxygen in the body, poor posture, tense muscles and slower metabolism. Tight muscles shorten and pull the skeleton inward. Slumping – or even wearing the wrong clothes – can weaken our ability to breathe.

When the thoracic spine stiffens, the diaphragm struggles to contract and breathing shifts to the superficial muscles. Breathing worsens or improves depending on how we sit – and how long we sit. Head alignment also affects breathing: is your head pushed forward or does it sit like a crown atop your posture? All of this is reflected in your appearance!

It’s Time to Pause – and Breathe

Take a deep breath, because when you learn to regulate your breathing, you learn to regulate stress. It’s the key to balancing the nervous system and boosting vitality. Mastering the art of breathing can improve sleep and deepen focus.

Breathing is a pathway to your deepest emotions and healing trauma. It’s a direct way to influence the state of your nervous system. By mastering your breath, you can calm yourself and overcome symptoms of anxiety.

When you breathe correctly, stress hormones decrease, the vagus nerve activates and the body relaxes.

Through the diaphragm, you can control your heart rate and either calm or energise yourself.Following deep breathing is a creative process. It takes you into the depths of the mind. The diaphragm is like a surfboard that helps you glide into a deeper meditative state.

When you pay attention to your breath, your connection to your body deepens – and this strengthens the body.The diaphragm creates force, resistance and impact. Best of all, breathing can improve the shape and tone of your body.Many people don’t realise that the abdominal corset works optimally only when you breathe correctly.

The experience of consciously deepening your breath increases your understanding of how the body functions as a whole.Breathing drives metabolism and breath moves with emotion.As breathing technique improves, the mind calms, focus deepens, and sleep quality improves.

Breathing practice isn’t about how many times you inhale and exhale – it’s more about meditative work that brings you close to the core of bodily function.

Stress hormones leave the body through breath and properly performed breathing exercises truly relax you.

INFOBOX

• Shallow breathing reduces oxygen levels, tightens muscles and weakens metabolism.

• Breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which regulates the stress response.

• Slumping, stress, and even unsuitable clothing, can impair breathing.

• When the diaphragm works and the head aligns like a crown, breathing is freed – and this shows in your improved appearance!

• Method Putkisto has been described internationally as Finnish yoga.

• With breathing, anyone can regulate energy levels and stress. Breathing is a skill everyone should learn – and it’s not automatic.

Breathe Yourself Beautiful – Marja’s Club’s new 6-week series begins Monday 27th October 2025. 👉 Join here.

Method Putkisto Breathing Techniques – Beauty from Within

The upcoming Deep Breathing -series at Marja’s Club focuses on breathing technique, with the diaphragm at its centre.Experience training that corrects poor breathing habits. Many don’t realise they breathe shallowly – or understand why and how rapid breathing affects us.Six deep breathing techniques form the core of the method. With them, you can release your body, recover, and enhance your entire presence.

See you at Marja’s Club, With breath-filled regards,

Marja