Breath and Stretch Slow, safe breathing and Pilates-style stretching exercises can often improve balance, posture and outlook for those with age-or long-related challenges.

by Selby Bateman, LUNG HEALTH

When Jennie Miller, a retired clothes designer, leaves Marcy Schlissel's Body in Motion Pilates Studio in New York City, she is walking tall.

"All of the exercises I practice with Marcy help me to relieve my back pain, and improve my balance, posture and gait," says Miller. "I definitely walk out of the lesson taller."

Many people approaching senior status or who have medical conditions that may limit their abilities to exercise are increasingly turning to such activities as yoga-style breathing techniques and Pilates. The Pilates Method is an exercise approach developed to strengthen the body and empower the mind, bringing the body into a more balanced state. The method is a progression of carefully layered exercises that focus on your abdominal muscles, back extensors, diaphragm and pelvic floor. This creates a supple spine, deeper breathing, improved posture, better balance, stronger and leaner muscles, efficient muscle patterning and increased flexibility.