What is Breathwork and How Can it Help Me?
Breathing is something we do everyday; something unconscious and automatic. Breathing is arguably our most basic function as humans, and, if you’re into instant gratification (because who isn’t?) breathing gives us immediate improvement in our mood, our wellness, and our health. We can’t think of a better time, amidst a pandemic, inflation, and political turmoil, to give yourself the simplest break.
Breathwork, specifically guided breathwork, says Esquire, is a form of engaged meditation that has an “undeniable” effect on our bodies. Conscious inhaling and exhaling is “playing with the nervous system,” said the article. The sympathetic and the parasympathetic system can be activated by the type of breaths we take, says Esquire, and when we breathe slowly and mindfully, we access the parasympathetic system and become alert but calm. We give ourselves the signal that everything's alright to slow down.
Taking a breath break has become pretty mainstream in the Covid era, says Harper's Bazaar, when everything has been turned upside down and people are looking for some stillness. This thousands-of-years’-old idea that breath is the life force within us is hardly a new one, says the article, but it’s become a go-to for many people and even celebrities. And there’s more. It’s medically backed by science. Says Dr. Mark Hyman in Harper’s Bazaar, study after study has proven that breathwork helps to balance mind and body, heart rate variability, parasympathetic activity, and physiological flexibility, not to mention the ongoing epidemic of stress. We literally all need to take a breath.
A man practices his breathing
Stress Reduction with Breathing
Lowering stress, inducing mindfulness, and regulating heart rates sounds like the perfect package of goodies from just breathing, but, research has shown that breathwork can also lower blood pressure, says NPR. Strengthening the muscles we use to breathe as we age can help keep them in shape, says the article. Thirty reps of breathwork a day for six weeks “lowers systolic blood pressure by about 9 millimeters of mercury,” said NPR. Here’s the coolest part: These reductions in blood pressure are about the same as if you were to exercise by walking, running, or cycling.
If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s a very simple way to begin, says Healthline. Notice your breathing first, and try to elongate your breath. As you take a full breath in, hold it at the top for a few seconds and release. That’s it. You can do this for one minute and work your way up to five minutes.
There’s stress all over the place; work, home, school, friends, family, traffic, whatever. The list is endless. Stress will never go away, unfortunately, and it’s up to us to take care of ourselves when we are faced with it. What’s comforting is that the tools we need are right within us. It isn’t something we need to buy. It isn’t hard to get. It’s not even something we have to work hard at. All we need to do is breathe in, and breathe out. Breathe in and breathe out.
Breathwork Classes in Bend
A woman practices her breathwork
If you’re in the Bend area of Oregon, we invite you to our campus to experience our breathwork classes. The next one we have coming up is on November 15. Our center is home to a variety of wellness classes and activities including meditation, sound therapy, happy hours and more! We look forward to seeing you at our campus soon!