Why is breath so important during exercises with Aniball?

Aniball is a proprioceptive tool—which means it teaches us to better perceive our own bodies. Its fundamental benefit lies in helping us understand how to relax with the aid of breath. If we alternate between free, calm, and deep breaths down to the belly with slow, smooth exhales during the exercises, we are mastering a basic principle that can significantly ease the natural journey of the baby into the world.

What About Breathing During Childbirth?

The pelvic floor muscles work in conjunction with breath. They relax on the inhale and contract on the exhale. We subconsciously believe that we should push during exhalation—but in that case, we are competing with our own body, which is contracted at that moment. We are pushing "against the force," and this forceful pushing is often the cause of injuries during childbirth.

If we spontaneously relax the pelvic floor muscles through deep and uninterrupted breathing, we can "breathe" the baby into the world—in harmony with the natural processes of our body. Aggressive "controlled" pushing, which forces us to hold our breath, pull in our belly button, and contract our sphincters, increases the risk of birth injuries and endangers the baby due to a lack of oxygen.

Can This Be Learned?

Breathing and targeted relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles can be trained with Aniball before childbirth. The balloon helps us realize that the relaxation of the pelvic floor naturally occurs with the inhale. It works simply—upon inhalation, the balloon tends to move outward from the body, while during exhalation, it retracts inward.

What to Do if You Can’t Insert the Balloon

Don’t despair—this is one of the most common problems women face at the beginning of their training with Aniball.

What Helps the Most?

• Slow down, take your time, and don’t rush.
• Create a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere during the exercises.
• And above all, never forget to breathe while inserting the balloon.

Feel your body as a whole and learn to gradually mobilize its individual parts with your breath. As soon as you hold your breath, your entire body— including the pelvic floor muscles—will tense up, making it much harder to insert the balloon.

Why Does This Happen?

The pelvic floor and diaphragm work together; they are part of a whole chain of muscles (professionally called the deep stabilization system). Imagine them as a pump—they work in coordination, like Siamese twins. When we inhale, the diaphragm relaxes to accommodate the increased volume in the lungs. The same happens with the pelvic floor, which relaxes and drops lower. Conversely, during exhalation, the diaphragm contracts. Naturally, the pelvic floor contracts as well. 

It’s a spontaneous physiological process that happens without our conscious effort. However, we can use it to our advantage—during inhalation, we can perfectly relax our entire body and easily insert the balloon. Proper breathing isn’t rocket science, and there’s no need to overthink it. Turn off your mind; let your breath guide you.

How to Start?

Try to take 10 calm, deep, and smooth breaths into your belly and exhale; relaxation will come naturally. Observe how the balloon behaves during your breathing—do you feel it gently moving outward with the inhale and a bit back inward with the exhale?

3 Situations to Watch Out For

• During insertion, the balloon may sometimes tend to slip out. Hold it in place with your hand or try to inflate it slightly until you feel a mild tension. However, it should never cause pain or other uncomfortable sensations. Find your optimum and follow your intuition.

• Don’t measure it; it’s not a race. Aniball is not a dilation tool; it’s not about "stretching" the vagina and increasing the circumference of the balloon. The prescribed 25 cm should be the limit that you never exceed. Maximum tissue relaxation occurs only during childbirth due to a special cocktail of hormones and contractions—until then, our body is not prepared for a large circumference, so it’s risky to unnecessarily stretch the perineum and push through pain.

• You don’t have to try to expel the balloon right away; caution and moderation are warranted during the first days of training. After your workout, deflate the balloon completely and remove it with a clear conscience. Be kind to yourself and gradually learn to "breathe" the balloon into the world without pushing or pain.