The benefits of breathwork

Breathwork has become very very popular in many western countries, the practice has been around for a thousands of years and has its roots in yoga practice. So breathwork is not new, it's very popular in the wellness industry - so what’s the hype and what do you do? Breath? And why do it? What are the benefits?

What exactly is breathwork?

Breathwork is the conscious activation of your breath to enter an elevated state of awareness. It is an interactive form of meditation that can help overcome stress, anxiety and various forms of overwhelm by bypassing the mind to reconnect with the physical body and energy.  
 
Put simply, breathwork aims to release toxins and stress when you breathe out and nourish your mind and body when you breath in. It is an interactive form of meditation that can help overcome stress, anxiety and various forms of overwhelm.

Benefits of breathwork

Research on breathwork is promising. Potential health benefits of breathwork include:

• Alkalizing your blood PH
  
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• Elevating your mood

When you stop, slow down and concentrate on your breathing, breathing deep and slow - you are telling your brain "everything is ok". When your feeling anxious or stressed our breathing tends to become shallow and fast, this limits oxygen to your bloodstream. This sends a cue to your body there there is a threat and your body will respond in flight or fight mode.

Styles and techniques

• Deep abdominal breathing or belly breathing:

With long deep breaths, visualise your body filling up with oxygen as you breath in expanding your belly and chest while you inhale. As you exhale your chest will relax and you're belly button sinks back towards your spine helping you relax, promote core stability, reduce stress and increase coping mechanisms.

• 4-78 breath or breath retention:

You breath in for 4 beats, hold your breath for 7 beats, and exhale for 8. A longer exhale will ensure you completely empty your lungs helping improve lung capacity, oxygenates the blood and boosts attention and focus.

These are the two most common techniques, there is also:

• Breath of fire/Lion's breath
• Sitali
• Alternate nostril breathing
• Sitkari
• Kapalabhati
  

Best times to do breathwork?

Try it in the morning, a good way to start the day with clearing your mind and energise your bod in preparation for the day. However, if you find it helps more during the day, then do what works best for you.
Do your research and look for different techniques, apps and local workshops to see what works best for you.

The future

Breathwork is included in the Health and Wellness industry. Search for local breathwork associations in your country/region.

Author

Well College Global