Can You Teach Yourself Breathwork?
Can You Teach Yourself Breathwork?
Modern day breathwork exploded in the 1960s and 1970s during the consciousness-raising era, and we are seeing an enormous resurgence of this work now. According to the mind is the master, “Renowned figures like Leonard Orr and the husband and wife team of Dr. Stanislov Grof and Christina Grof conducted landmark studies that firmly established the validity of breathwork therapies and their incredible benefits.” Please keep in mind that breathing practices are rooted in pranayama, QiGong, and Tibetan lineages, and “modern” could be replaced with “appropriated” if no lineage is spoken of or honored. Breathwork has become extremely popular all around the world and has been widely beneficial to those who experience high stress levels and are seeking physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
We all have experienced the extreme stress that has come with life under capitalism, and all its pressures and demands. It has become the norm, and many have subconsciously swept it under the rug because we believe we have bigger and more important things to deal with. What can be bigger than dismantling systems of oppression?
Even under capitalism, many positive outlets have borne fruit and whilst we work toward dismantling these systems, we are still responsible for engaging in our own healing. Breathwork is one of the easiest ways to help you heal. Idea fit has stated that, “The Global Wellness Summit has named breathwork one of the top seven trends to influence wellness in 2021 and beyond.” There are many benefits of breathwork, and there are many ways to access classes in-person, live online, or by downloading one of their many applications that are available for your smartphone.
More and more people have been interested in breathwork and finding out what it is all about. Some of the many questions that have been asked are:
What is breathwork?
Can you teach yourself breathwork?
What is breathwork?
The number one question that has been asked many times by many people is, “What is breathwork?” Breathwork is and umbrella term for various conscious focused breath control techniques that are practiced to help improve your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Again, most of these traditions have origins in pranayama and QiGong lineages. There are various techniques available and each technique that is practiced has its very own benefit to your specific needs. According to good therapy, “The goal of any breathwork therapy is to support people in achieving a greater sense of self-awareness and capacity for self-healing.”
Breathwork techniques are help give you another opportunity to breathe in a new life. At least, that’s what every blog writer for every fucking breathwork sites says. People who experience high stress levels may develop mental, or physical issues that can be difficult to deal with every day. Which is most of us, because of the white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. The ongoing class war is killing us, along with all the shades of systemic racism and patriarchy. Breathwork techniques have helped those who experience chronic issues, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, trauma, anger issues, etc. but bear in mind that we still have to dismantle these systems. Breathwork is learning to master the power of breathing. Lmao, again. You can find this exact sentence on every breathwork site out there. Once you have the techniques however, they’re available to you anywhere and anytime.
Is it possible to learn breathwork yourself?
There are many different ways to learn breathwork. Modern times have given us the opportunity to practice breathwork techniques whenever and wherever we choose. Whether it be a scheduled class online, where you can practice in the comfort of your home, or it be an application you download, which you can do whenever as well, or maybe you prefer to be around people and schedule an in-person. Breathwork gives you many options. Many prefer to incorporate a daily breathwork practice into their lives.
So, can you teach yourself breathwork? Yes, but with the guidelines of the professionals. Sure, it’s just breathing exercises, but each technique offers different results according to your needs, there are many different techniques that have been proven to help with a diverse array of issues. There are a couple ways you can teach yourself breathwork, starting with simple pranayama techniques with a deep tradition. This gives you the opportunity to study and then practice on your own.
Some of the beginner breathwork techniques are:
● Diaphragmatic breathing
● Box breathing
● 4-7-8 Breathing
● Alternate nostril breathing
● Pursed lip breathing
These techniques are available on the internet for your use at any time. Some sites offer a 5 minute video along with the how-to list.
Diaphragmatic breathing
Slow and deep breathing while moving your diaphragm with each breath.
Box breathing or Sama Vritti Pranayama
Inhale, pause, exhale, pause, all for the same amount of time for each action.
4-7-8 breathing
Inhale for 4 seconds, then pause for 7 seconds, and then inhale again for 8 seconds.
Alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shodhana pranayama
Cover the right nostril and inhale through your left. Switch your finger to cover the left nostril then exhale through your right, and alternate.
Pursed lip breathing
Close your mouth and inhale for 2 seconds through your nose. Purse lips and exhale for 4 seconds.
These breathwork techniques are for beginners, and are techniques that can be practiced on your own at any time wherever you choose. They are quick and easy and hold many healing benefits such as, promoting relaxation, relieving stress and anxiety, decreasing fatigue, improving sleep, strengthening lungs, etc. Find what works best for your needs and practice. It will come more naturally once you have learned all of the techniques properly, and once you have done so, you can teach yourself as you go.
In conclusion
Breathwork is a variety of breathing techniques that are designed to help benefit people who are experiencing mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. Life can be too much sometimes and stress can take over at any time, the average human is just trying to survive and it might feel easier to bypass it with the next activity instead of facing it and tackling it head on. Breathwork has become one of the most beneficial outlets to try and help manage and or eliminate our stress.
The good thing about today is that all you need is an internet connection and a laptop or a smartphone and you are good to go. There are many different sites online that can give you all the information you need on how to start practicing breathwork techniques and how to actually choose and perform the exercises that best fit your needs.
Research all of the techniques available, build yourself a schedule that best fits your lifestyle, and do what works for you. No need to sweep the stress under the rug anymore, instead take a deep breath with breathwork and sweep up any excess stress and throw it away. Life is so much better when you can breathe in clean air.
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