Breathwork

Breathe in and out for a few seconds, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

You may already be feeling better. Well-documented studies show that taking a long, slow, deep breath can reduce stress hormones and give us a sense of well-being.

If you’re interested in trying breath-work, here’s what you should know:

What exactly is breathwork?
There are a number of different breathing practises that fall under the umbrella of Breath-work. By controlling the flow of breath, you can achieve physical and mental harmony.

Breathing has long been seen as a powerful tool in many civilizations. Methods can range from the most basic, such as deep breathing, to the most complex.

An easy and convenient way to improve your health and well-being is via the practise of deep breathing.

In order to establish any new habit, the most important thing is to just get started! Whether it’s in the morning, evening, or even in the midst of the day, doing breathwork can give you a small boost. No matter how long you practise, most practitioners and mental health professionals agree that 20-45 minutes of daily breathwork is the sweet spot to see the maximum results.

Before beginning any type of breathwork, keep the following points in mind:

– Breathing exercises should never be performed while driving or performing any other activity that necessitates maintaining awareness of your surroundings.
– A pool or huge body of water should never be used for breathwork.

Below are a 2 beginner breathe work exercises

Do the 4-7-8 breath when you’re feeling stressed.
The Andrew Weil, M.D. Relaxing Breath, also known as 4-7-8 breathing, aids in calming the body and mind. A sensation of calm and tranquilly is brought about through slowing down the heart rate, bringing our awareness to the present moment, and calming the nervous system. When you’re feeling overloaded, nervous, irritated, triggered, and unable to sleep, this breath is great. If you’re in a culture where you’re constantly bombarded with external stimuli, this practise will help you learn how to take in less, as well as how to create space between your breaths and exhale.

Traditional 4-7-8 breathing involves emptying the lungs of air, inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. Repeat at least four times, or as many times as necessary.

Your body is surrounded by the earth’s nourishing and grounding energy; imagine that this energy is flowing into your body as you inhale. The breath can be visualised spiralling up your body (through the seven chakras) and removing any negative energy or idea. Then, when you exhale for 8 seconds, image the release of surplus energy from your lips and the return of light to your feet and the earth below you through the top of your head.

In times of exhaustion, take a 4-4-4-4 breath.
A variation of Box Breathing, also known as Square breathing or the 4-4-4-4 breath, is a Navy SEAL tradition. Slowing the heart rate and deepening attention can be achieved by using this breathing method. In addition, it improves productivity and reduces stress. It’s best used in the morning to get you going, in the middle of the day if you’re feeling drowsy, or right before a big assignment or meeting that requires your full attention.

To get the most out of this exercise, exhale through your nose for 4 seconds after expelling all of the air in your lungs. Then hold your breath for another 4 seconds before repeating the process. To feel the effects, keep repeating this cycle for 5 minutes.

Try to visualise the earth coming up and providing nourishment to your physical body as you inhale. Breathe in and out, imagining your breath swooping through your head, cleaning out thoughts that don’t serve you and keeping those that do. Think of our emotional heart and belly as a fire element, and when you exhale, visualise the fire element of the South burning anything that is holding you back from letting go through your mouth.

Begin slowly while trying out breathwork techniques and see a health care expert if you have any questions or concerns. 🙂 Enjoy Your Breathing!