So, what exactly is breathwork ? Well, it’s not just one thing, it’s an amazing toolkit that encompasses a wide range of techniques and exercises focused on intentionally regulating and adjusting the way you breathe. And trust me, it’s not just about oxygen in, CO2 out. It’s a whole realm of intentional breathing to help you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Think of it like this: you know when you take a deep, cleansing breath when stressed or worried and felt instant relief? Breathwork is like that but in a much deeper and more potent way, offering numerous advantages. It’s all about tapping into your own breathing to find calm, lower  stress , release pent-up emotions, and grow spiritually. This isn’t something new, breathwork has been around across a multitude of cultural and spiritual lineages, including yoga, meditation, and traditional healing rituals for ages.

So, how does it work? When you dive into breathwork, you are diving into a world where your respiratory system, nervous system, and many other mind-body connections get to work together like a team. By changing the way you breathe —altering its pace, depth, and rhythm— you’re essentially telling your body to either amp up or chill out. It’s like your breath holds the power to modulate your whole being like a remote control.

Now, let’s look under the hood to see how this actually works. First off, you have your respiratory system. That’s the team of organs and tissues responsible for all things breathing. Adjusting your breath turns on a complex interaction between the respiratory system and a whole array of other physiological and psychological dynamics in the body, kickstarting your body’s healing powers.

Let's delve into the intricate mechanisms at play:

At its essence, breathwork actively engages the respiratory system (the lungs, diaphragm, and muscles responsible for breathing). Adjusting the depth, pace, and pattern of breath can significantly impact the body's oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. This manipulation can tweak blood pH levels, enhance tissue oxygenation, and trigger the body's intrinsic healing processes.

Then there’s your autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is basically the autopilot for your body. It oversees the things you don’t usually consciously control, like breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and the body's stress responses. Breathwork can actually influence the ANS 's functioning in different directions, tipping the scales between its sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches.

And get this: Your brain gets in on the breathwork action as well. Breathwork can flip switches in your brain function and the balance of neurotransmitters (brain signals) you have. This can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and even trigger feel-good chemicals to be released from the brain like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It’s like your breath is a magic wand aimed at your brain, enhancing relaxation and mood stabilization.

But the best part? Breathwork isn’t just about the science happening behind the scenes, it’s about how it makes you feel. It’s about letting go of stress, finding your center, and releasing pent up emotions.

Breathwork is like the ultimate mind-body hack. It’s about diving deep into the connection between your thoughts and body, and everything in between. It's like turning up the volume on your own internal dialogue. And let me tell you, that's where the magic happens. When you have this deep insight into your own consciousness, you can begin to heal and move toward a deeper understanding of yourself. 

Adding breathwork to your daily routine is like giving yourself a superpower for life. By practicing breathing techniques, you can kickstart your body’s relaxation response and markedly elevate both your overall well-being and quality of life.

But it’s not just about chilling out, consistent engagement with breathwork also sharpens mental clarity and focus, which can totally boost your productivity throughout the day.

Breathwork also plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and resilience, equipping you with the ability to approach stressful situations with a balance and a feeling of steadiness.

Ultimately, the practice of integrating breathwork into everyday routines goes beyond just physical and mental health improvement , it charts you on a course toward self-development, inner harmony, and comprehensive well-being.

Breathwork isn't just about relaxing, it's about actually letting go of stress, finding your center, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. Yep, that’s right, crying during breathwork is common and here’s why:

• Emotional Release : Engaging in breathwork has the potential to unlock and discharge emotions that have been buried or not fully processed within the body. The deliberate act of breathing can act as a trigger to release these feelings, which can result in tears. This phenomenon underscores the profound connection between our body and emotional health, illustrating how targeted breathing exercises can lead to emotional catharsis and healing.

• Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System: Breathwork practices focusing on changes in ventilation (breathing patterns) can engage the parasympathetic nervous system (the part of your body tasked with fostering a state of calm and diminishing stress levels). As the body unwinds and sheds its tension, you might encounter an outpouring of emotions, sometimes manifested through tears.

• Safe Environment 

  The encouraging and accepting atmosphere prevalent in breathwork sessions can create a space where you may feel safe to let out your emotions. Breathwork can put you in a comfortable enough state to release inhibitions, leading to an unobstructed emotional release.

Besides all of that, other emotional and physiological responses are not uncommon during and after breathwork.

To keep side effects at bay during breathwork, it’s smart to keep these important tips in mind:

• Prioritize hydration : Ensure you're well-hydrated before, in the midst of, and after your breathwork practices to preserve optimal hydration and electrolyte levels.
  
  

• Ensure you’re in a safe environment: Be sure you can’t have a dangerous fall, clear any obstacles or objects away from your space during breathwork in case of a fall. Never practice breathwork near water or on elevated surfaces.

• Integrate intermittent pauses as needed : Should you encounter any discomfort or weariness during your breathwork activities, you can take a pause to stretch or relax.

• Start slowly : If you're new to the practice of breathwork, start with briefer sessions and simpler techniques before progressing to more. This allows your body to adjust gradually and reduces the likelihood of experiencing any side effects.

• Heed your body's signals : Stay attuned to any indications of discomfort or exhaustion throughout your breathwork sessions, and be prepared to modify your approach or the intensity to fit your needs.
  
  

• Seek instruction and guidance from experts : You should always seek guidance from experienced practitioners to ensure you are practicing safely and correctly.

Some other common questions that come up regarding side effects include:

There are several possible reasons that someone may feel worse after breathwork. In some cases, the person may feel worse due to the emotions that can be unleashed during the session. These emotions can lead to temporary discomfort until the emotions are fully processed and integrated. Also, some people may feel worse from physical symptoms of changes in breathing such as dizziness or tingling sensations. These are usually short-lived and resolve if they are due to breathwork.

Hand cramping from breathwork can happen for a variety of reasons. In some cases it is caused by hyperventilation (rapid or forceful breathing) as this can cause changes in the blood vessels and blood supply that can lead to muscle cramps or spasms. It can also be caused by muscle tension or nerve compression from holding certain positions. In particular, people with preexisting medical conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, or conditions affecting blood circulation, may be more prone to experiencing hand cramps during breathwork. In rare cases it can also be caused by dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. 

There are many reasons that one may experience shaking during breathwork. Firstly, the emotional release as well as tension release can manifest as shaking or trembling in the body. In addition, the shaking could be a sign of energy activation within the body. Increased oxygen levels can also lead to sensations of shakiness. Lastly, in some people shaking can be due to weak breathing muscles that need time and practice to gain strength and reduce shakiness.

In a nutshell, breathwork offers a pathway to profound self-discovery and heightened wellness, empowering you to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, strength, and power. Remember, with each intentional breath you take, you’re getting one step closer to harnessing your own internal powers of healing.

Just a friendly reminder: Breathwork is a personal journey and everyone’s experience will be a bit different. If you ever feel off or unwell during your practice, trust your instincts and take a break. And if things persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pro for guidance.