Breathwork: How does the breathing technique work?

Reading time 6 minutes

Are you stressed and dissatisfied with your life? Then try Breathworking. Breathwork translates into German as "breathwork". With the right technique, conscious breathing can help you to find yourself and positively influence your health. By strengthening the connection to your body, you promote your inner growth.

What is Breathwork and how does it work?

Breathwork includes various breathing exercises. The best known is connected breathing. You breathe out directly after inhaling and repeat this without pausing. This creates hyperventilation, which opens the door to your Subconscious should open up. The difference to traditional Meditation is that you actively change your breathing during breathwork instead of just concentrating on it.

In Breathworking, deep abdominal breathing stimulates the vagus nerve. This can reduce inflammation and stress reactions and thus improve Concentration and improve health. The desire for inner peace is particularly strong these days, because according to a study by the opinion research institute YouGov, around 58% of all Germans felt stressed in the fall of 2023.

Would you like to try an exercise now? In the article Breathwork exercises for everyday life we have put together some simple exercises for you.

Examples of breathing techniques

We have selected various breathing techniques for you below.

Coherent breathing

In this simple technique, you breathe deeply into your stomach for five seconds and out for five seconds. The exercise is designed to regulate the heartbeat.

Wim Hof breathing

This method was developed by the Dutch cold weather athlete Wim Hof. You inhale deeply and exhale for a long time, first into your stomach and then into your chest. Don't take a break between the 20 to 30 cycles. At the end, hold your breath for as long as possible. Breathe in and hold your breath again for around 20 seconds.

Holotropic breathing

Here you lie on your back and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. You do this continuously so that you hyperventilate. Many people fall into a kind of trance.

4-7-8-Breathing

This type of alternate breathing is derived from the Yoga known. You breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds and breathe out for eight seconds. The long exhalation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system. This causes your breathing and heart rate to decrease.

breathwork meditation

Breathwork meditation: the connection between breath and mindfulness

Like meditation, Breathwork supports the practice of mindfulness. Conscious breathing can help you to focus better on your thoughts and emotions. feelings and live only for the moment. Many people easily drift off during meditation, whereas with breathwork they stay focused. You focus on your breathing and your brain frequencies go into a deep state of meditation. During deep breathing, the everyday beta waves transform into alpha waves, which are typical of the state just before falling asleep.

Psychedelic Breath School:

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Psychedelic Breathwork

The Psychedelic Breath School with Eva Kaczor offers you the opportunity to dive deep into your inner world. With the unique Breathwork method, you will learn how to integrate your emotions into your life in a more intelligent and healing way. Discover your true calling and find the clarity you need to walk your path.

5 benefits of Breathwork that you should know about

Whether Breathwork is suitable for creating a Trauma is debatable. However, breathing work can do the following:

1. relax body and mind

Controlled breathing is able to reduce the Lower blood pressure and reduce stress. People with chronic pain often report significant relief from their symptoms.

2. release fears

Breathing deeply not only has a generally calming effect, but Breathwork can also free you from inner blockages and fears.

3. improve digestion

Breathwork can calm the stomach and regulate bowel function by reducing stress. People with digestive problems often benefit from breathing techniques.

4. improve sleep quality

Breathwork can increase your energy levels by improving the quality of your sleep. The right breathing technique helps you to fall asleep and stay asleep more quickly. This strengthens your immune system.

5. increase lung volume

If you exercise your breathing regularly, your lung volume will increase. This allows the lungs to take in more air and oxygen. This improves your performance, for example during sport.

Is breathwork dangerous? The risks and dangers at a glance

The breathing techniques are not suitable for everyone. Breathwork may be associated with dangers and risks. Many psychotherapists advise mentally unstable people against it. Breathwork is dangerous for them because the breathing exercises cause strong emotions can awaken.

Pay particular attention to your body during your first exercises and stop training if you do not feel well. Dynamic breathing, holding your breath and hyperventilation during Breathwork pose a risk to pregnant women, asthmatics and people with cardiovascular disease. This is why Breathwork has been criticized.

Breathwork critique: What do experts and participants say?

Breathwork is a method that some experts view critically. In particular, hyperventilation during holotropic breathing causes controversial discussions. Participants repeatedly report that they experience intoxicating states. The decrease in the oxygen content in the blood causes the muscles to stiffen and the legs and arms to tingle. Many people report spiritual experiences, while others find the change in consciousness frightening.

8 steps for your first Breathwork session at home

Would you like to try Breathworking for yourself? With these step-by-step instructions, you can easily get started within your own four walls. We'll show you how to prepare for your first session and how to get the best out of it.

  1. Allow at least one hour.
  2. Think about whether you want to do the session alone or with other people.
  3. Make yourself comfortable, for example with music and soft cushions.
  4. Find a suitable position, for example lying down or sitting.
  5. Analyze your current situation and condition.
  6. Look for instructions, for example on YouTube.
  7. Choose a suitable technique.
  8. Reward yourself after successful completion.

Breathwork retreat recommendations: Where can you find the best ones?

Perhaps you would like to delve deeper into the practice of Breathwork. Then a retreat is just the thing for you. Retreat means "retreat" and usually takes place as a seminar. A Breathwork retreat often lasts several days. It is a time-out that offers you the opportunity to recharge your empty batteries.

During a retreat, you reflect on yourself and focus on the really relevant things in life. Breathwork retreats with intensive practice under expert guidance are recommended. Such a time-out in an idyllic location far away from everyday life is particularly interesting and beneficial. The opportunity to take part in a retreat vacation is available in Germany as well as in other countries around the world.

Why mindfulness and meditation are important in breathwork coaching

If you want to delve deeper into the subject matter and broaden your horizons, meditation and the Coaching plays an important role. Breathwork coaching helps you to identify and release emotional blockages and rediscover your inner balance. Everyone reacts differently to the individual breathing techniques. The coach focuses intensively on your personal Needs and will work with you to find a suitable method.

If you are now interested in a course/workshop, our article Breathwork on site interesting for you. We have put together a list of first points of contact for larger cities.

breathworking

How to integrate Breathwork into your everyday life in the long term

If you practise breathwork regularly, it can have a big impact. It is best to integrate the breathwork and the Mindfulness into your everyday life. This way, you will benefit from the positive effects in the long term. Regulating breathing techniques take effect after just a few minutes. These include breathing meditation, coherence and box breathing, a technique of Navy SEALsan elite unit of the US military.

Conclusion: How Breathwork can change your life

Breathwork is more than just a simple breathing technique. It is a method that can help you to bring more balance and mindfulness into your life. Breathwork supports you in developing your full potential. Discover how breathwork can improve your personal development and how it can change your everyday life. For more happiness and inner contentment, also use our free masterclass "The school of life - How to experience true happiness and inner contentment".

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