What is Breathwork? An Ancient Practice in Modern Times
Breathwork is a powerful practice that has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to heal the body and mind. In episode 9 of The Playground Podcast, we learned about the transformative effects of this practice. This blog post reviews the concepts covered in that episode and explores the power of breathwork and how it can benefit your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is an umbrella term for various techniques that involve conscious breathing to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. There are several styles of breathwork, including Holotropic Breathwork, Pranayama, and Transformational Breathwork, each with its unique approach and benefits. Breathwork originated from ancient traditions, such as yoga and shamanism, where it was used as a tool for healing and spiritual development.
Regulating your breath is the practice of breathwork. It is a somatic way to heal the body, allowing individuals to feel and release emotions and traumas stored in the body. Though breathwork can be challenging and emotionally intense, it offers a natural way to heal ourselves without the need for pills or external precautions.
Ancient Roots
Breathwork is an ancient and indigenous practice that has existed in many cultures throughout history for thousands of years. It helps to alter states of consciousness and connect the physical body to the spiritual body. Emotions, traumas, and experiences are often stored in the body, and breathwork enables individuals to feel through those things that the mind cannot solve. Shamans, indigenous people, and tribal leaders have used it to receive immense downloads from ancestors, guides, spirits, angels, source, or God, and to alter states of consciousness.
Benefits of Breathwork
Breathwork enables individuals to access and awaken different parts of themselves that were previously unknown. By using different styles of breathwork, one can move chi energy in the body, which helps to release stagnant energy and emotions. Additionally, breathwork allows for the release of feel-good hormones throughout the body, improving overall well-being.
Regulating our breath allows us to optimize and energize different aspects of our body. Breathwork also facilitates the release of emotions, which can get stored in our bodies as energy. Through breathwork, we can move this stagnant energy and release it from our bodies. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience high levels of stress, anxiety, or trauma.
How Breathwork Works
Breathwork has a profound effect on the body, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax and repair. During a breathwork session, the body experiences increased oxygenation, which can enhance physical performance, boost immune function, and increase energy levels. Breathwork can also help release trauma and ancestral patterns, as it allows the body to release stored emotions that are often held in the body's tissues and organs.
Integrating Breathwork into Your Life
To experience the full benefits of breathwork, consistency is key. It's important to find a guide or teacher that resonates with you and to practice regularly. @ flowbreathworkfacilitatortraining offers free weekly breathwork sessions every sunday, making it accessible to anyone who wants to try it. When integrating breathwork into your life, it's essential to choose a practice that fits into your lifestyle and to stay consistent with it.
Post-Breathwork Care
After a breathwork session, it's important to take care of yourself. Some common experiences after a session include lightheadedness, emotional release, and sensation in the hands and feet. It's important to ground yourself by doing something that connects you to the earth, such as walking barefoot or taking a bath. It's also important to integrate the insights gained during a breathwork session into daily life, whether it's through journaling, meditation, or other practices. By taking care of oneself post-breathwork, individuals can better integrate the insights gained during the session and continue their healing journey.
Conclusion
Breathwork is a powerful tool that can help you achieve optimal health and well-being. Whether you're looking to release stored emotions, boost your immune system, or enhance your physical performance, breathwork can help you achieve your goals. By finding a guide or teacher that resonates with you and practicing regularly, you can experience the full benefits of this transformative practice. So why not give it a try? Take a deep breath, and let the healing begin.
Additional Resources
If you're interested in learning more about breathwork, check out Flow Breathwork Facilitator Training. In this training, you'll learn about the history of breathwork, different styles of breathwork, and how to incorporate breathwork into your healing practice.
Check out The Playground Podcast episode: "What is Breathwork? An Ancient Practice in Modern Times” here.
