Breathwork
“When the breath is unsteady, all is unsteady; when the breath is still; all is still.” - Gorakasasthakam
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork involves a wide range of techniques that incorporate the intentional use of the breath. These techniques allow you to regulate the flow of your breath to facilitate physical, mental, and emotional healing.
How does it work?
The key to breathwork is conscious breathing. When you are able to focus on breathing, the mind will slow down and focus on the present moment.
What are the benefits?
Breathwork can improve your overall well-being in a wide variety of ways. It can provide a quick, daily exercise to realign your thoughts and help you center your focus.
Here are three benefits of breathwork:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Increase energy and immunity
Lowers blood pressure and improves circulation
Try it out!
There are several different breathing techniques, each one with a unique purpose and effect on the body. For beginners, it is recommended to try The Relaxing Breath from Andrew Weil, MD. This technique is also known as 4-7-8 breathing. This is a great breathing technique when you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just need to relax.
Follow the steps below and try it next time you need a breather!
Step 1: Sit down in a comfortable position
Step 2: Rest the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth
Step 3: Completely empty your lungs of air. Then breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale out of your mouth for 8 seconds.
Step 4: Repeat 4x