If you are a frequent yoga practitioner, you know that pranayama (breathwork) goes with asanas, the movement of yoga. But even if you aren’t a yogi, you may have heard the term breathwork and wondered exactly what it is. If you haven’t heard of breathwork before, you might be thinking: are you about to talk about the thing I do all day, every day, without thinking – even when I’m sleeping? The answer is yep!
Because breathwork isn’t just the subconscious act of taking in and releasing air. It’s an intentional act that fuels the body, mind and spirit. Breathwork is the conscious act of breathing with awareness and intention, and it is a perfect complement to yoga or meditation in that it helps you build self-awareness and become more focused.
But breathwork can also be a form of therapy, a healing act we do for ourselves. It’s certainly a lot more than just taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
Breathwork, when done correctly, can be used to benefit us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
First, when you breathe, air doesn’t just enter your nose (and or mouth) and then your lungs. It actually enters your bloodstream through your lungs. A full breath cycle engages your entire being – your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, chest, belly, back and brain. Without having to think about it, a kind of rhythmic dance happens with every breath you inhale and exhale.
When you breathe deeply and consciously however, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This slows your heart rate and lowers blood pressure, a very positive physical effect. The alternative? Shallow or uncontrolled breathing is associated with our fight-or-flight instincts during traumatic situations, our blood pressure increases and we may find ourselves feeling hyper and uncontrollable.
Recent studies show that breathwork is being used effectively to help treat anxiety, PTSD and depression. But breathwork can also move us to heightened states of being, our divine selves. In fact, many people who regularly practice breathwork report achieving spiritual awakenings and deep personal insights.
Pranayama, as part of your yoga routine, not only calms and controls the breath (along with the movements) but helps you move past the blocks that actually slow your life force energy.
So, let’s breathe a little deeper and little more intentionally – and see what benefits you discover!