There are numerous health benefits of breathwork on mind, body, and spirit. Breathwork involves intense breathing exercises that focus on the movement of air in and out of the body, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. deep breathing is also used as a tool for personal growth and spiritual awakening. With regular spiritual breathing ,one can cultivate a deeper connection with the universe and higher self. This article articulates why breathwork is so powerful ?and when not to do breathwork.
Improves Physical Health
Breathwork can help to improve physical health by increasing oxygenation in the body. As a result, it improves cardiovascular health, increase energy levels, and enhance mental clarity. Also, it can help to reduce blood pressure and alleviate symptoms of asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Other benefits of breathwork are:
- Enhance sex drive
- Improve digestion
- Increase lung capacity
- Master the nervous system
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Breathwork is a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety. Moreover, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces the body’s stress response.Additionally, Regular breathwork practice can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation.
breathwork for clarity
Breathwork can help to enhance mental focus by increasing oxygenation to the brain which improves cognitive function, memory, and learning. Therefore,it reduces distractions and promote mental clarity and focus.Overall, it’s a mood boosting pill.
Boosts Emotional Wellbeing
Breathwork can help to boost emotional well being by releasing stored emotions and tensions from the body.Ultimately, it controls symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Moreover, it has immense power to control chronic diseases such as:
- Depression
- stress
- unhealthy addiction
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- migraine headaches
- chronic pain
- avoidance behaviors
- asthma
- premenstrual tension
Spiritual breath work
Breath work is often used as a tool for spiritual awakening as its religious practice leads to ultimate state of meditation and relaxation. By focusing on the breath, devotees can move beyond mind and body and can connect to their inner self.deep breaths boosts your power of manifestation Its constant practice lifts the curtain between one’s ego and worldly avatar and connects them to their higher self. it This can lead to increased feelings of inner peace, joy, and harmony.It is difficult to comprehend how breath work can lead to profound spiritual growth.The feeling is relative and one must experience it by himself.
Techniques of breath work
There are many different types of breath work, each with its own techniques and benefits. Some common types of breath work include:
Deep Breathing
It is the basic form of breathing which is ideal for the beginners.Deep breathing involves taking slow, deep breaths through the nose while expanding the diaphragm. Exhaling slowly through the mouth or nose can help to release tension and calm the mind.
Box Breathing
Box breathing is a powerful but simple relaxation technique that aims to return breathing to its normal rhythm after a stressful experience. It may help clear the mind, relax the body, and improve focus.
Box breathing involves four basic steps, each lasting 4 seconds:
1.breathing in
2.holding the breath
3.breathing out
4.holding the breath
Box breathing involves inhaling for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four, exhaling for a count of four, and holding the breath for a count of four. Repeat this cycle for several minutes to promote relaxation and focus.
People with high stress jobs, such as soldiers and police officers, often use box breathing when their bodies are in fight-or-flight mode. This technique is also relevant for anyone interested in re-centering themselves or improving their concentration.It is easy to do, quick to learn, and can be highly effective in stressful situations.
The Wim Hof breathwork
The Wim Hof Method was created by Wim Hof, a Dutch extreme athlete who is also known as “The Iceman.” Hof believes you can accomplish incredible feats by developing command over your body, breath, and mind through the use of specific breathing techniques and tolerance to extreme temperatures.
There are three pillars to the Wim Hof breathing Method:
- breathing
- cold therapy
- commitment
One round of the Wim Hof Method breathing technique includes these steps:
- Take in a strong inhalation through the nose.
- Let out a relaxed exhalation through the mouth.
- Repeat for 30 breaths.
- On the 30th breath, exhale to 90 percent and hold for as long as you can.
- When you feel your body really needs to take a breath, inhale fully and hold for 15 seconds before releasing.
The basic technique involves three consecutive rounds of the above.
Eventually, the breathing may feel like a wave flowing through your lungs, but this will take practice.
Pranayama breathwork
Take a steady breath in through both nostrils. Inhale until you reach your lung capacity; maintain a tall spine. Hold your breath for a second, then constrict some of the breath at the back of your throat, as if you were about to whisper a secret, and exhale slowly through both nostrils.
Pranayama practices have both slow and fast variations. While there are many different types of pranayama practices, some popular ones are:
- Bhastrika pranayama, or bellow breath, is used to boost energy levels.
- Kapal Bhati pranayama, or skull shining technique, is practiced for energy clearing and its detoxifying effects on the body.
- Nadi Shodhan pranayama, or alternate nostril technique, is believed to center your mind by joining the right and left sides of your brain.
- Bhramari pranayama, or bee breath, is used to help calm the mind and racing thoughts.
Kapalabhati pranayama breathwork
Kapalabhati is another most famous advance yoga breathing practice. Kapalbhati is a rapid breathing technique that utilises abdominal muscles for forceful active exhalation followed by slow, passive inhalation. Since Kapalbhati removes toxins it is amazing for body detoxification.Aditionally, removes excess carbon dioxide, strengthens your core and chest.Also, energises your nervous and circulatory systems.
Eventually, the breathing may feel like a wave flowing through your lungs, but this will take practice.
Holotropic breathwork
Holotropic breathwork is a therapeutic breathing practice which is very affective emotional healing and personal growth. It’s said to produce an altered state of consciousness. The process involves breathing at a fast rate for minutes to hours with music. This produces chemical changes in the body. You are guided through the exercise by someone who is trained in this emotional release modality.
After a session, you’ll be asked to creatively express your experience, usually by drawing a mandala. You’ll also be encouraged to discuss your experience. Your reflection will not be judged. Instead, you may be asked to elaborate upon certain aspects.
The entire process is meant to activate your natural capacity for healing. It’s recommended that you do holotropic breathing under the guidance of a trained facilitator. Sessions are available as group session, workshop, or retreats.
When not to do breathwork
No matter which type of breath work you choose, it’s important to practice in a safe and comfortable environment. Start with a few minutes of practice each day, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable. As with any new practice, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before getting started to ensure that breath work is safe for you. People listed with following conditions are advised to avoid the practice of breathwork.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Angina
- heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Osteoporosis
- pregnancy
- recent injury or surgery
- any condition for which you take regular medications
- history of panic attacks, psychosis, or disturbances
- severe mental illness
- seizure disorders
- family history of aneurisms
To sum up, Breath is the foundation of life, and its potential to heal is infinite.
