Practicing Active Breathwork

You may have seen some newer messaging encouraging you to BREATHE, and maybe you’ve even stopped to take a deep breath. Of course, you don’t need to stop and consciously breathe. It’s an involuntary process, and yet you do have the remarkable ability to make breathing a voluntary process. In doing so, you can increase the benefits to your mind and body through conscious breathing practices known as breathwork.  

The art of breathing. The combination of the food you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe gives you energy to live. Getting oxygen to your cells and releasing carbon dioxide is a complex biological process that your amazing body does for you just by breathing. It’s the body’s only function that can be done completely voluntarily or completely involuntarily, connecting your conscious and unconscious mind.  

Scientists continue to study and reveal the myriad of benefits of deep breathing. It manages stress, reduces feelings of anxiety and depression, improves mood, boosts mental clarity and concentration, reduces pain, and sends more oxygen to the body's organs. It also can help to manage blood pressure and promote feelings of calm. Like many things, the more you practice, the better you get.  

The act of breathing. Have you noticed that when you’re stressed, nervous, scared, angry, agitated, or in pain that your breath becomes shallow and less effective in calming your nerves? The first step in creating a breathwork practice is to notice these patterns. When are you breathing deeply? When is your breath shallow? Next, find some marker or markers throughout your day that become a signal to check in on your breathing. Try taking a few deep breaths as soon as you wake up before the thoughts of the day start tumbling in. Check your breath while at a stop light. Think about your breath before opening your emails. 

Fundamental breathwork is a slow, conscious pattern of deep inhalations and exhalations. There are many conscious breathwork styles and exercises that you may want to explore. We often give children the advice to “breathe” when they are crying or stressed. Heed this advice for yourself. Bring greater healing to your body and mind with this free exercise that you can do at any time and any place. 

Jennifer McGee, LMT 

ViaroTherapeutics  

For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com