Your Body on Breathwork

“Take a deep breath.” This advice is often the first thing we hear when we’re stressed, overwhelmed, or distracted. But did you know that there are ways to breathe better, and that you can proactively practice breathing to induce a bevy of benefits? That’s what breathwork is all about.

The term “breathwork” is used to refer to any type of practice that utilizes breathing for physical or mental health benefits. The general term covers a spectrum of techniques that can be applied for different purposes.

Breathwork (sometimes referred to as pranayama) has centuries-old roots in yoga and tai chi; the modern emergence of breathwork began in the 1970s. Some of the early practitioners' methods were far out by today’s standards, but since then, a number of practical techniques have taken shape. Now, an increasing number of experts and researchers across disciplines and fields swear by breathwork’s ability to control physiological and psychological states, improve performance, and even assist in healing conditions like sleep apnea, depression, and anxiety.

How is Breathwork Performed?

There are many types of breathwork techniques and practices. The one that’s right for you depends on your intentions and goals. Some breathwork techniques are fitness-oriented, while others are applied for mental, emotional, or spiritual purposes.

Broadly speaking, fitness-centric breathwork practices are meant to increase oxygen levels in the body and/or activate the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response). These methods may involve forceful inhalations and exhalations, fast cadence breathing, and intermittently holding the breath. The Wim Hof method is one example.