The Many Benefits Of Breathwork—And How To Start Today | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
The Many Benefits Of Breathwork—And How To Start Today
The Many Benefits Of Breathwork—And How To Start Today
Jovi Figueroa
Published Feb 17, 2022 05:01 PM PHT
|
Updated Feb 17, 2022 05:07 PM PHT
Like manythings wellness, breathwork has gone mainstream during the Covid era. In aworld where you cannot control the transmission of the virus and its effect on theworld, we try to find some semblance of control and peace of mind by focusingon the things that we can control—such as our breathing.
Like manythings wellness, breathwork has gone mainstream during the Covid era. In aworld where you cannot control the transmission of the virus and its effect on theworld, we try to find some semblance of control and peace of mind by focusingon the things that we can control—such as our breathing.
There’s areason why “take a breather” and “catch one’s breath” are popular idioms. Breathworkhas old roots and has surprisingly many benefits. In fact, it is an effective formof meditation, when meditation becomes such a difficult task to achieve becauseour minds are unable to shut down and find silence.
There’s areason why “take a breather” and “catch one’s breath” are popular idioms. Breathworkhas old roots and has surprisingly many benefits. In fact, it is an effective formof meditation, when meditation becomes such a difficult task to achieve becauseour minds are unable to shut down and find silence.
So, whatis breathwork?
“Breathworkis any time that you become aware of your breathing and start to use it tocreate a physical, mental or emotional benefit for yourself.” said Richie Bostock a.k.a. The Breath Guy.
“Breathworkis any time that you become aware of your breathing and start to use it tocreate a physical, mental or emotional benefit for yourself.” said Richie Bostock a.k.a. The Breath Guy.
In simplerterms, it’s about manipulating our breathing to help us achieve a some mentalor biological outcome such as control a panic attack, feel a bit calmer, grounddown after a stressful event, try to sleep, or even achieve physical feats.
In simplerterms, it’s about manipulating our breathing to help us achieve a some mentalor biological outcome such as control a panic attack, feel a bit calmer, grounddown after a stressful event, try to sleep, or even achieve physical feats.
ADVERTISEMENT
Breathwork has roots from ancient yoga traditions and is based on “pranayama,” which means “theregulation of the breath through certain techniques and exercises.” And whilethere are many different techniques to follow, the basic rule is simple:use your breathing to empower yourself.
Breathwork has roots from ancient yoga traditions and is based on “pranayama,” which means “theregulation of the breath through certain techniques and exercises.” And whilethere are many different techniques to follow, the basic rule is simple:use your breathing to empower yourself.
“We use ourbreath to heal our mind. We use our breath and our mind to heal our body and weuse the breath the mind and the body to heal the spirit. Breathwork is the gluethat ties your mind, body, and spirit awareness together,” says Sage Rader.
“We use ourbreath to heal our mind. We use our breath and our mind to heal our body and weuse the breath the mind and the body to heal the spirit. Breathwork is the gluethat ties your mind, body, and spirit awareness together,” says Sage Rader.
Benefits ofbreathwork
Just likemeditation and yoga, breathwork is able to positively benefit your mental andbiological well-being. Those whose lives have been enormously impacted by breathworksay that it has reduced their stress and anxiety, increased their energylevels, improve sleep, eliminate toxins, and let go of past trauma.
Just likemeditation and yoga, breathwork is able to positively benefit your mental andbiological well-being. Those whose lives have been enormously impacted by breathworksay that it has reduced their stress and anxiety, increased their energylevels, improve sleep, eliminate toxins, and let go of past trauma.
In fact, oneperson has been known to push the boundaries of the physical body just by masteringbreathwork. Wim Hof, who is also known as “The Iceman,” has set the GuinnessWorld Records for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures—and he creditshis success to breathwork. More than withstanding icy cold lakes, Wim Hof hasalso demonstrated that he can influence the way his body reacts to pathogenssuch as bacteria and viruses through his breathing. Currently, there are 8 published studies since 2012 that have validated this feat.
In fact, oneperson has been known to push the boundaries of the physical body just by masteringbreathwork. Wim Hof, who is also known as “The Iceman,” has set the GuinnessWorld Records for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures—and he creditshis success to breathwork. More than withstanding icy cold lakes, Wim Hof hasalso demonstrated that he can influence the way his body reacts to pathogenssuch as bacteria and viruses through his breathing. Currently, there are 8 published studies since 2012 that have validated this feat.
Related Story: Hobbies That Help Your Mental Health
While it’seasy to be skeptical of breathwork and toss it aside as some woo woo wellnessfor those who are not familiar with it, it actually has many scientific legs tostand on.
While it’seasy to be skeptical of breathwork and toss it aside as some woo woo wellnessfor those who are not familiar with it, it actually has many scientific legs tostand on.
Mark Hyman, M.D., a New York Times best-selling author and head of strategy and innovationat the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, says that science confirmsbreathwork’s claims on physical benefits: “There are so many studies that showdeep breathing is one easy, accessible practice that can help to balance themind and body, and reduce the stress response. Breathwork has been shown toincrease parasympathetic activity, heart rate variability, physiologicalflexibility, [and] is one of the greatest tools I have in my medical toolbox tohelp individuals manage stress. Research has shown over and over again thatlearning to relax is one of the most important keys to long-term health andvitality.”
Mark Hyman, M.D., a New York Times best-selling author and head of strategy and innovationat the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, says that science confirmsbreathwork’s claims on physical benefits: “There are so many studies that showdeep breathing is one easy, accessible practice that can help to balance themind and body, and reduce the stress response. Breathwork has been shown toincrease parasympathetic activity, heart rate variability, physiologicalflexibility, [and] is one of the greatest tools I have in my medical toolbox tohelp individuals manage stress. Research has shown over and over again thatlearning to relax is one of the most important keys to long-term health andvitality.”
What canI expect from a breathwork session?
It’s easy todo breathwork at home using guided breathwork meditation available online. ErikaPolsinelli, a Kundalini breathwork teacher, says that a simple 20- to 30-minutebreathwork practice every morning when your brain is still relaxed and in asleepy state can help change your outlook for the whole day.
It’s easy todo breathwork at home using guided breathwork meditation available online. ErikaPolsinelli, a Kundalini breathwork teacher, says that a simple 20- to 30-minutebreathwork practice every morning when your brain is still relaxed and in asleepy state can help change your outlook for the whole day.
But formaximum benefits, you’ll want the guidance of an actual instructor, who canintroduce you to the fundamentals of breathwork and help you through the wholesession. The relaxing effects of a breathwork class can be immediate, but doingit regularly will have profound snowballing effects on your overall mood and well-being.
But formaximum benefits, you’ll want the guidance of an actual instructor, who canintroduce you to the fundamentals of breathwork and help you through the wholesession. The relaxing effects of a breathwork class can be immediate, but doingit regularly will have profound snowballing effects on your overall mood and well-being.
Rachel Hosie wrote about her own first-time breathwork experience in 2020 with The BreathGuy himself, and while she went into it skeptical, she came out of the sessiona changed woman. And yes, a few tears were involved, too.
Rachel Hosie wrote about her own first-time breathwork experience in 2020 with The BreathGuy himself, and while she went into it skeptical, she came out of the sessiona changed woman. And yes, a few tears were involved, too.
“Richie Bostocktook us through a session designed to create a blissful sense of energy,meaning you're calm but feel like you can take on the world. The sessioninvolved breathing to music — deep breaths in, relaxing out… The pace changedat times, and it was harder than I expected. But Bostock's calming voicedefinitely helped. Towards the end of the session, Bostock took us through avisualization…and this is when the tears started. I wasn't sure why I wascrying, but I couldn't stop the tears rolling down the sides of my face. Fromthe sounds around me, I could hear other people were crying too. Aside frombeing moved to tears, I did feel somewhat lighter after the session. And Iwasn't sure whether I'd been brainwashed or genuinely did feel both calmer andmore energized,” wrote Rachel.
“Richie Bostocktook us through a session designed to create a blissful sense of energy,meaning you're calm but feel like you can take on the world. The sessioninvolved breathing to music — deep breaths in, relaxing out… The pace changedat times, and it was harder than I expected. But Bostock's calming voicedefinitely helped. Towards the end of the session, Bostock took us through avisualization…and this is when the tears started. I wasn't sure why I wascrying, but I couldn't stop the tears rolling down the sides of my face. Fromthe sounds around me, I could hear other people were crying too. Aside frombeing moved to tears, I did feel somewhat lighter after the session. And Iwasn't sure whether I'd been brainwashed or genuinely did feel both calmer andmore energized,” wrote Rachel.
Related Story: Listen To Liza Soberano's New Mental Health Podcast
I’m sold!Where do I start?
There aremany breathwork instructors who offer online guided materials and subscriptions.Even Wim Hof himself offers a variety of videos and courses on breathwork on his website.
There aremany breathwork instructors who offer online guided materials and subscriptions.Even Wim Hof himself offers a variety of videos and courses on breathwork on his website.
But if you’reready to really get into it and have a proper instructor to guide you throughthe process, photographer and yoga instructor Sara Black is offering classes onbreathwork, meditation, movement, mantra, and kriya that can help you ease intothe practice.
But if you’reready to really get into it and have a proper instructor to guide you throughthe process, photographer and yoga instructor Sara Black is offering classes onbreathwork, meditation, movement, mantra, and kriya that can help you ease intothe practice.
“We're alltired of this close-open, up-down seesaw. While we can’t control what happenson the outside, we can master what happens within,” Sara wrote on her Instagram.
“We're alltired of this close-open, up-down seesaw. While we can’t control what happenson the outside, we can master what happens within,” Sara wrote on her Instagram.
Currently,she has a Masterclass on kriya, meditation, and breathwork happening on allSaturdays of February. Registration is still open for her Enliven Retreathappening on March 4-6 at The Farm at San Benito, which is inclusive ofaccommodation, vegan meals, and yoga and meditation.
Currently,she has a Masterclass on kriya, meditation, and breathwork happening on allSaturdays of February. Registration is still open for her Enliven Retreathappening on March 4-6 at The Farm at San Benito, which is inclusive ofaccommodation, vegan meals, and yoga and meditation.
If you wanta more personal practice, she is also available for one-on-one mentoring on Himalayanbreathwork and kriya yoga. This ancient Himalayan breathwork practice nurturesself-healing, and can be done in your home or in one of her partner establishmentsin BGC. Sign up here.
If you wanta more personal practice, she is also available for one-on-one mentoring on Himalayanbreathwork and kriya yoga. This ancient Himalayan breathwork practice nurturesself-healing, and can be done in your home or in one of her partner establishmentsin BGC. Sign up here.
One-on-oneclasses serve as an introduction to the world of breathwork, and can beexpensive to maintain. So if you’re at the stage where you are ready toincorporate it into your daily routine for cumulative benefits, as Erikamentioned, you can start looking for guided meditations available online.
One-on-oneclasses serve as an introduction to the world of breathwork, and can beexpensive to maintain. So if you’re at the stage where you are ready toincorporate it into your daily routine for cumulative benefits, as Erikamentioned, you can start looking for guided meditations available online.
Youtube Channel Breathwork Beats has a plethora of guided breathwork videos that coverdifferent holotropic or DMT breathing techniques such as breath of fire,alkaline breathing, and Wim Hof’s breathing. You can find different guided breathworkpractices on their channel depending on your needs for the day such as calmingbreathwork, energizing, anxiety fighting, and confidence boosting.
Youtube Channel Breathwork Beats has a plethora of guided breathwork videos that coverdifferent holotropic or DMT breathing techniques such as breath of fire,alkaline breathing, and Wim Hof’s breathing. You can find different guided breathworkpractices on their channel depending on your needs for the day such as calmingbreathwork, energizing, anxiety fighting, and confidence boosting.
Read More:
wellness
health
breathwork
breathing
meditation
yoga
wellbeing
anxiety
what is breathwork
instructor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
