Breathwork
What is breathwork?
Breathwork refers to the conscious control and alteration of breathing patterns to achieve mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Tracing back to ancient practices, particularly in yogic traditions, breath work (or Pranayama) focuses on the control of life force through breath and offers a natural gateway to profound self-awareness and healing. It forms a crucial part of yoga, bridging the gap between the physical and the spiritual.
Contemporary breathwork (e.g. Wim Hoff) adapts ancient techniques to modern settings, often blending breathing exercises with music, guided imagery, and movement. This approach makes breathwork accessible and versatile, catering to diverse needs and preferences.
What are the benefits of breathwork?
Breathwork offers numerous health advantages, such as stress reduction, improved respiratory function, mental health support, lowered blood pressure, and a boosted immune system, making it a powerful tool in holistic health.
"results showed that breath work may be effective for improving stress and mental health" - Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36624160/
"breathwork can induce very beneficial temperament changes, which can have positive effects on the development of character, measured as an increase in self-awareness." - Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4677109/
What is psychedelic breathwork?
Stanislav Grof's holotropic breathwork is a significant addition to the breathwork field. It's a practice designed to reach altered states of consciousness similar to those experienced in psychedelic journeys, without the use of substances. This method combines accelerated breathing with evocative music and a supportive setting, allowing individuals to explore their psyche deeply and safely. It's particularly appealing for those interested in the therapeutic and spiritual dimensions of altered states, offering a legal substance-free path to profound inner experiences.
How can I start?
YouTube is a great resource for finding guided breathwork sessions. Breath with Sandy is a great channel we recommend. Try the video below to get started.
