What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a form of therapy that involves the use of breathing exercises to bring about an improvement in mental, physical, and spiritual health. The breath is one of the most powerful tools that can access a person's essence and potential. Breathwork uses the breath to help clear unresolved issues, self-limiting beliefs and past life events that affect a person's ability to reach their potential. This process leads to the fulfilment of dreams and a happier, more inspired life.
How Does Breathwork Work?
Breathwork is a client-focused, self-generated process that can be performed as one-to-one sessions with a qualified practitioner or in a group setting. Breathing is a tool for inner work that uses full, conscious, and connected breathing. It is a spontaneous and organic technique that can offer resolution and clear issues, patterns, and/or beliefs on a cellular level.
During a breathwork session, the client usually performs the exercises in a lying down position. The practitioner sits beside the client and offers support to help clear their mind, focusing on their breathing and bringing awareness to any body sensations.
What Are the Benefits of Breathwork?
Breathwork is used in many mind-body practices like yoga, meditation and qigong, as it helps improve the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. It promotes clarity, equanimity, creativity and joy, which support personal and professional development as well as relationships. Breathwork is healing in itself and can help address a wide range of health conditions, including:
- Addictions
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-limiting thoughts, feelings and habits
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of self-awareness
- Poor immunity
- Anger issues
- Chronic pain
- Emotional effects of physical illness
- Grief and loss
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Can You Expect From Breathwork?
There are different types of breathwork available, each following its own set of breathing techniques; some require breathing through the nose, while others through the mouth. To find one that's most suitable for you, discuss your options with your breathwork instructor before the session begins. People with medical conditions should seek the advice of their doctor first before engaging in a breathwork program.
A breathwork session can last for two to three hours and can be done in a face-to-face setting or remotely. Since it's a noncontact healing modality, you can book a breathwork online service and receive all of its benefits right in the comfort of your home. Make sure that you wear loose clothing as tight ones can interfere with your breathing.
