Pilates exercises ask the body to fully and completely inhale oxygen into the lungs and to fully and completely empty the lungs on an exhale. This breath work ensures the maximum amount of oxygen gets to the blood, the muscles, the joints, the cells of the body, and the maximum amount of toxins are released. You will find many rolling exercises such as the Roll Up and the Roll Over on the mat and Short Spine Massage on the Reformer. "It is this very action of rolling and unrolling that cleanses your lungs so effectively by driving out the impure air and forcing in the pure air" (Joe Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology).