5 Reasons To Explore Breathwork
Have you heard the buzz about “breathwork”?
Perhaps you have and perhaps you have an active practice.
If you haven’t heard of it or if you have and are still skeptical, I hear you. Below are some interesting facts, research, and information to further explore this very broad term and what it can do for you.
First, let’s define breathwork. Breathwork, as discussed by Dan Brulé, is the use of breath awareness and conscious breathing methods. He goes on to say that the breath can be utilized for healing and growth, personal awakening, and transformation.
After my own exploration and many trainings on the breath, I’m a big believer that we need to take an intentional look at this process, how we’re doing it, and how it can be a tool for us. In just 1 session breathwork can be deeply restorative, transformational, or grounding. Depending on how you place awareness on your breath, how you move that breath, how long you continue, and what your intention is, the results will vary.
There are many styles of breathwork being taught today. From Holotropic, box breathing, retentions/holds, Rebirthing, connected breath, Nadi Shodhana…the list goes on and on. So how does one choose? How do they all work? And why practice this already naturally occurring process?
Let’s hone in on that last point.
Here are 5 compelling reasons to begin exploring breathwork and why you might want to practice.
According to research by James Nestor* more than 90% of us are breathing incorrectly. This is leading to undesirable (yet changeable) health implications. Developing an awareness of proper breathing techniques and establishing a regular breathwork practice has been shown to improve health and wellness markers in a number of studies. The research shows improved cognitive functions, more flexible stress responses, and improved mental health.** Nestor’s book, Breath, also states “There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing. Changing our breathing can reduce blood pressure, boost athletic performance, balance the nervous system, rejuvenate internal organs, and even halt autoimmune diseases.” Pretty compelling.
Breathing is part of your respiratory system which is the only function in our body we can do both subconsciously/automatically (respiration) and consciously (breathwork). You have immediate access to this powerful tool that can impose change in a moment. Nestor’s research indicates that the optimum breathing rate is about 5.5 breaths per minute. That’s 5.5-second inhales and 5.5-second exhales.* (Try it out!) If this seems excessively long, or excessively short (depending on your typical breathing rate) a consistent breath practice can help focus on coming into this optimized rhythm.
It’s never boring! Breathwork is an ever-changing experience. The number of protocols and ways to explore the breath are as expansive as the results themselves. Even practicing the same type of breathwork routinely, you can expect different sensations, experiences, and results each time. This is due to the energy being moved utilizing your breath, the intention you set, and the components of the breath you can control. When you practice breathwork, you can expect to continue learning about yourself, your mind, and your body.
Breathwork is an on-demand and accessible resource. Unlike other practices that may tout a similar list of benefits, breathwork can be done at your desk, on a walk, in bed, during a meeting…it’s widely available to you! (Do not practice most breathwork techniques while driving, operating heavy machinery, or in bodies of water. Always consult with your physician before participating in any new practice.) The practice of utilizing the breath for any of the health and wellness markers it is known to affect can be done nearly anywhere, anytime.
One session of breathwork can be transformational. Energy moves with the breath. This alone can induce different states of being, feeling, and experience in your mind, body, and spirit. The breath is the bridge between the conscious and subconscious, between this space and the next. It is connecting you to the present moment, the present magic, one breath at a time. Through dropping into the breath we leave the typical space of our day-to-day mind overwhelm and enter the realm of our being. This alone has the power to transform, one moment at a time.
The breath is continuing to be studied in so many profound ways. The practices are vast. The results are compelling. If the potentials of a regular breathwork practice feel exciting to you, please reach out to discuss current ways I can support you on your journey!
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Disclaimer: Noelle Mietus and Noelle Mietus LLC is not offering health or medical advice in this post. The content written is for informational purposes only. Please consult with relevant professionals before engaging with any new practice or making any healthcare decisions. Noelle Mietus and Noelle Mietus LLC will not be held liable or responsible for any decisions to participate in any breathwork practices. Information has been cited here for reference. Any change in information may not be updated consistently. Noelle Mietus LLC makes all efforts to update but will not be held responsible for outdated material.
Resources
*Book: Nestor, J. (2020). Breath. Penguin Life.
** Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, Zhang H, Duan NY, Shi YT, Wei GX, Li YF. The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults. Front Psychol. 2017 Jun 6;8:874. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874. PMID: 28626434; PMCID: PMC5455070.
**Fincham GW, Strauss C, Montero-Marin J, Cavanagh K. Effect of breathwork on stress and mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 9;13(1):432. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-27247-y. PMID: 36624160; PMCID: PMC9828383.