Breathwork Part 1 of 2: Why Breathwork?

Breathwork is a key to mental health and physical health. Majority of the population shallow breaths, and does not get the rejuvenating benefits of deep breathing or breathwork. Deep breathing helps to tap into rest and digest mode in our body, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system which helps us to feel calmer, more present, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps us to problem-solve more effectively.  Please find 4 key benefits of breathwork: 

1. Better Ability to Self-Regulate. Breathwork can make a substantial difference in helping our body regulate with emotions including stress, anxiety, and anger. When we are able to be more present and centered we can experience the emotion most of the time without becoming overwhelmed, allow our self to feel it and move through it.
2. Increases Energy. Breathwork techniques can calm our systems, allowing the energy we were using up in a sympathetic state to be used in other physical and mental functions, which can result in feeling more energy. There are also specific breathing techniques that focus on re-energizing including Bhastrika pranayama. Next month check out “Therapist In My Pocket” for a new  re-energizing meditation that includes this breathing tool.
3. Physical Health Benefits. There are numerous mental and physical health benefits to breathwork. Some physical health benefits shared by WebMD include more balanced blood pressure, more time in deep sleep, stronger respiratory function, and better immune system.
4. Improved Attention. There are numerous reasons why breathwork increases our attention including when we are more regulated internally we have more energy and resources to focus on the task at hand. A study from NIH found that attention substantially improved after 15 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing. Improved attention can help us to work more effectively, problem-solve more efficiently, and overall be more present in what we are doing and living.

If you need support in getting your breathwork practice started reaching out to me, I am Nicole Levy, and I am here as your helping hand. Let’s get started, book your complimentary initial consult today https://www.mindfulhealingjourney.ca/#/