Exploring Popular Breathwork Practices

From the depths of the Amazon to the banks of the Ganges, do you know what has been revitalizing lives for thousands of years? Breathwork! An amazingly powerful technique based on the simple act of breathing, breathwork offers so much. Let’s explore its benefits and show you how to get started with this basic deep breathing guide.

What Is Breathwork?

Breathwork is a range of breathing techniques with varying patterns and rhythms. Additionally, each one alters the depth and way you inhale and exhale air, thereby modifying your physical and mental state. Now, this may sound far-fetched, but numerous studies have shown the power of deep breathing exercises and the measurable effect they can have on your health!

What Is Nasal Breathing?

Nasal breathing is a vital part of breathwork. It has you breathing evenly through your nose, ensuring each inhale is filtered, humidified, and warmed to body temperature – ideal for optimal lung function. You might think this is trivial because we all normally breathe through our noses, right? Wrong!

The sad reality is, more often than not, many of us are breathing through our mouths, and this is a problem! Firstly, it lets unfiltered air into our bodies, increasing exposure to pathogens. But more worrisome is how it also increases our risk of various other health issues.

Fortunately, deep breathing exercises offer a way to change all this. Popular breathwork practices include:

Diaphragmatic Breathing
Box Breathing
Holotropic Breathwork
4-7-8 Breathing
Kapalbhati Pranayama
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Benefits of Breathwork

When it comes to breathwork, the benefits are immense, improving both your body and your mind. Key advantages include:

Strengthening respiratory muscles and enhancing lung capacity
Increasing oxygen levels, supporting your immune system
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones, anxiety, and depression
Stimulating the diaphragm, which massages your intestines, improving digestion
Helping in regulating sleep patterns, combatting insomnia
Improving blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function
Providing a safe space to process and release pent-up emotions and trauma
Improving mindfulness and present-moment awareness

Deep Breathing Guide

Beginning your breathwork journey is simple. All you need is a serene place for some time. Here’s a basic deep breathing guide to start with:

Lie down or sit comfortably with your back in line. Close your eyes to bring your focus inward.
Slowly breathe in through your nose. Let your abdomen and rib cage rise, expanding fully. Count to four as you inhale.
Hold your breath for four seconds.
Slowly breathe out. Release the air through your nose for over four seconds.

Repeat steps 2 – 4, continuing this cycle for 5 minutes.

Elevate Your Breathwork

Breathwork is an incredibly accessible practice. More importantly, there are so many techniques out there – each one offering its own gains for your mind, body, and spirit. While basic deep breathing will point you in the right direction, why settle? There is a whole world of breathwork waiting for you!

If you are ready to transform your wellness, join Elemental Rhythm. As a member, gain access to a guided and supportive environment where you can: