Avoid corporate burnout with the breathe method

Recently, a lawyer friend of mine asked me if there were any Pilates exercises she could do while at work. She couldn’t find the time to make it into my studio classes, but wondered whether I could suggest some exercises she could do at her desk.

I confess, I was a little taken aback. I had been a lawyer for a decade before starting my Pilates studio and my hours had never been that bad. I had managed to work out most days and I had certainly never considered exercising at my desk. I realised then and there quite how little time some corporate girls have for themselves.

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Now, my days of boring people to death with my knowledge of health and safety law are very much behind me. But it would be remiss of me to write an article on how to avoid corporate burnout without first emphasising that workplace stress is not just your problem. If you’re struggling, you can and should tell your employer. They have a duty under health and safety law to assess the risks posed by workplace stress and take reasonable steps to address them. In fact, if you suffer a recognised psychiatric illness because your employer negligently fails to protect you from foreseeable harm, you may be able to claim compensation.

In my friend’s case, it hadn’t reached this stage. But it was clear that she was stressed and frazzled from working a demanding job with long hours. Luckily, I was able to offer something practical. I filmed a 20-minute class specifically for her and sent her the link. I suggested she do the class three times a week before her morning shower.

Many of my clients are corporate girls. This was part of the reason I started to include breathwork in my classes. I wanted them to get more from their time on the mat than just abs. I wanted to send them back out into the world with a renewed sense of calm and resilience.

Having worked in the corporate world for ten years, I had a clear idea of the kind of class I wanted to offer them: No loud music. No strobe lights. No militant instructors. No pushing yourself to exhaustion. No need to wash your hair.

Instead, a slow, precise workout that challenged the body while clearing the mind and calming the nervous system.

Today, my unique approach to Pilates is called the Breathe Method. It’s special in that it places equal importance on mental and physical benefits. It is a method of movement that builds strength and connection in the body while supporting nervous system regulation. Each class is designed to leave you feeling stronger, calmer and more connected to yourself. Over time, with consistency, it can help you build the confidence and resilience you need to climb that rickety old corporate ladder.

So how does it work? Well, you can take Breathe Method classes in the studio or online. Each class trains both the body and the mind. Classes start with breathwork to calm the chatter of the mind and draw your focus inward. This awareness of your body’s internal sensations, known as interoception, helps you notice how you feel as you move. We also focus on the mind-muscle connection, encouraging you to consciously engage the muscles working in each exercise.

You will then be taken through a series of Pilates exercises - both classical and contemporary - at a slow pace, focusing on precision, control and alignment. Movements are synchronised with the breath, and the pace of the class is slow but challenging. Classes end with breathwork that gently lengthens the exhale to help you settle into a calmer state.

The aim? A body that is strong, a mind that is focused and a nervous system better able to settle after stress. All of which are incredibly important if you want to last in a demanding career.

Of course, like any form of movement or mindfulness, once is not enough. The magic comes with consistency. I recommend aiming for three classes a week.

You may think you don’t have the time to prioritise your physical and mental health, but doing so can help your career far more than working that one extra hour. A class cannot fix an unreasonable workload, but it can give you time to reconnect with yourself.

To thrive in the workplace, you need to feel calm and confident, and be robust and resilient. Like a willow tree that bends but never breaks. The Breathe Method is there to help keep you rooted.

See you on the mat.

Emma x