When you seek modes of relaxation and improvement in your overall mental, physical, and spiritual welfare, you cannot ignore the power of breathwork.
There are several exercises and breathing techniques also referred to as breathwork, that promote healthy living.
- Pranayam, or alternate-nostril breathing.
- Kapalbhati or the practice of rigorous exhalation.
- Equal breathing technique.
- Lion’s breath.
- The 4-7-8 method of breathing.
According to Dutch Philosopher Wim Hof, breathwork can help promote healthy blood circulation and heart rate. Not only that but breathing assists in accomplishing arduous tasks.
It helps in maintaining homeostasis in body temperature during extreme weather conditions. It can also drive away stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels.
Why breathing is important
Breathing is not just the ingestion of Oxygen and expulsion of carbon-di-oxide for survival. It supports vital functions in maintaining holistic, healthy living. The power of breathwork is quite prominent and induces the following forms of a healthy lifestyle:
- It boosts emotional stability by healing emotional trauma.
- Improves metabolism and immunity.
- Reduces anger, anxiety, and depression.
- Helps in relieving muscular and chronic pain.
- Regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
- Promotes better sleep patterns.
- Helps in reducing stress by lowering the levels of Cortisol and increasing the levels of Serotonin.
Efficient breathwork stimulates the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. It regulates the functions of the body, along with an improvement in cognitive functions.
Several breathing exercises are also proven methods for elevating energy levels in the body.
With breathing exercises such as Pranayama, you can inspire a sense of calm and relaxation. The Oxygen enters the body through one nostril, cleanses the holistic form, and exits through the other nostril. Kapalbhati, on the other hand, employs an intense process of breathing in and exhaling in multiple short and swift puffs.
It helps in cleansing the body as well as igniting the energy orbits in the system.
Final Thoughts – The Power of Breathwork
Breathwork is an essential step to cleanse the body and relax the muscles. An hour on the massage table indeed helps in relieving stress and pain. But the process of breathwork helps remove toxins from the body and aids in relaxation too.