Breathwork: What Is It And How It Can Transform Your Life
by naturally_ecstatic | Jul 21, 2020 | Breath
Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible power of your breath? It's something we all do without even thinking about it, yet it has the ability to completely transform our lives.
Breathwork is the conscious use of breathing techniques to improve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
It utilises ancient practices that have been used for millennia across many cultures and traditions and is now experiencing a resurgence as people seek natural and effective ways to improve their health and well-being. As science catches up with the ancient wisdom the health, wellbeing, fitness, biohacking and scientific community are pushing the edges of these practices and discovering more and more benefits and ways to enhance these benefits.
So, what exactly is breathwork & can it transform your life? Let’s take a closer look!
What Is Breathwork?
Breathwork encompasses a range of techniques designed to improve the way we breathe, from simple observation of the breath to more complex practices which manipulate the length, depth, speed, pattern and even pressure of one’s breathing - such as pranayama, conscious connected breathing, free diving and Wim Hof breathing.
At its core, breathwork is about learning to control our breath, rather than letting it control us. It's about becoming aware of our breathing patterns and using them to influence our physical, mental, and emotional states.
Many Eastern cultures depict spirit and breath with the same word – Qi Gong or Chi Kung translates to the cultivation of breath, spirit, or life force.
Elite forces use breathwork in a way to bring calmness and promote positive yet inhuman energy and strength. An example of that would be Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch!
But what's even more fascinating is how breathwork is being used in different industries to give individuals a competitive edge. Elite thinkers, professional musicians, singers, and executives are all using breathwork to enhance their performance and stay ahead of the game.
It has been known forever that breathwork during childbirth can be an effective tool to manage pain and increase relaxation. It's also used in meditation, tantra, and other spiritual practices to deepen one's connection to the divine.
The Benefits Of Breathwork
Breathwork has been shown to have a wide range of benefits for both physical and mental health. Here are just a few ways it can transform your life:
- Reducing stress and anxiety – Conscious breathing has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and calmness.
- Improving sleep – Breathing techniques can help to improve the quality of our sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
- Boosting immunity – Deep breathing has been shown to improve immune function by increasing the activity of cells that fight infection and disease as well as by detoxifying thew body – 70% of our body’s waste is breathed out from the lungs.
- Increasing energy and focus – Breathwork can help to increase energy levels and mental clarity by improving oxygenation and blood flow to the brain.
- Enhancing physical performance– Breathwork can improve physical performance by increasing endurance, strength, and stamina.
Final Thoughts
All in all, your breathing really affects your overall energy and strength. To maintain good physical and mental health, breathwork can work wonders.
If you need that extra boost of energy, then perhaps working on your breathing should be the first step toward this journey!
breathe@naturally-ecstatic.com
