In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of breathing exercises. The practice involves taking slow, deep breaths while focusing on the sensations of breathing. As a direct doorway to the subconscious mind, breathwork has been used to help people overcome trauma, heal emotional wounds, and cope with life changes like divorce, death, and illness. Still wondering why is Breathwork important? Keep on reading.
The Power of Breathing
We breathe every day without even thinking about it. We inhale oxygen into our lungs, exhale carbon dioxide, and use our diaphragm muscles to pump air into our bodies. This process happens automatically and unconsciously, but it’s important to understand how breathing affects our health and happiness.
When we breathe deeply, we fill ourselves up with energy. When we take shallow breaths, we lose energy. As humans, we tend to breathe faster when we’re nervous, anxious, or stressed. And when we hold our breath, we don’t allow oxygen into our body. So, when we practice deep breathing, we’re actually helping ourselves relax. Our heart rates slow down, too, which makes us feel less tense.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a form of psychotherapy based on the premise that our thoughts and emotions are closely linked to our physical state. In fact, we often feel what we think, and vice versa. When we breathe deeply and regularly, it helps us to relax and become calmer. This allows us to focus better and make decisions more clearly.
Inhaling and exhaling are natural processes that help keep us balanced. But sometimes those breaths become too automatic, and we lose touch with how breathing affects our emotions. By learning how to control our breaths, we can improve our overall health, both physically and mentally. Breathing exercises help us to calm down, reduce stress, relieve pain, and boost self-confidence.
How does it work?
When people think about getting stressed out, they often think about physical exertion. We run around, push ourselves too hard, and end up exhausted. But stress isn’t just physical; it also affects our minds and emotions. In fact, studies show that the body and brain communicate constantly throughout the day, and one way they do it is through breathing.
In breathwork sessions, clients focus on deep, slow breathing while being guided through specific exercises designed to bring awareness to the subconscious mind. This allows them to release old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve them.
An antidote to stress and anxiety
In addition to calming nerves, taking breaks during stressful times allows us to refocus. If we don’t give our brains time to relax, things can spiral out of control. Our bodies become tense, and we lose our ability to concentrate. Instead of being able to handle whatever situation comes next, we find ourselves struggling to keep it together.
So whether you’re feeling anxious because of something big happening in your life or because of everyday stresses, try some simple breathing exercises to see how they help you relax.