The origins of Breathwork can be traced back to Eastern meditative and martial arts techniques such as yoga, Tai Chi, and Buddhism. However, the majority of the Breathwork therapy that is utilized today got its start during the period of time when people were becoming more aware of their surroundings, which was in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time period, several other styles of breathwork came into existence.
In this blog:
- What is Breathwork?
- Benefits for Physical Health
- Emotional & Spiritual Benefits
- Healing Benefits
What is Breathwork
Breathwork is an active therapeutic meditation.
Breathwork utilizes breathing techniques to improve mental, physical, and spiritual health. By intentionally changing your breathing patterns, you can influence your mental, emotional, and/or physical state. Breath awareness and conscious breathing are the absolute foundation of the management of health, stress, and energy. (Coester)
Physical Health Benefits
Breathwork can help you manage stress more constructively, improve your mood, and flush out harmful chemicals. The practice of deep breathing has several health benefits, including but not limited to: boosting immunity, relieving stress, and fatigue, increasing energy, and nourishing new cell growth.
Emotional & Spiritual Benefits
For some Breathwork practitioners, this is the beginning of a more in-depth connection to their inner knowledge. Breathwork may also help them to develop healthy and fulfilling relationships. Grief, loss, melancholy, and emotional shifts can be handled with the help of various breathing techniques. As a result of a session or retreat, some participants begin to clarify their life goals and strengthen their creative skills.
Healing Benefits
Breathwork has been shown to be beneficial for a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety, stress, and depression. An individual who is experiencing low levels of energy may find the deep breathing that is involved in a session of breathwork to be very helpful, fostering the growth of an inner link between their various feelings and their passions.
At Origins, we believe that true wellbeing is about finding harmony with one’s surroundings and life as a whole. So, to help you restore, explore, and find that harmony within yourself, we offer a variety of programs aimed at cultivating health. From spa treatments such as massage therapy and holistic bodywork to yoga classes in our meditative studio, we have something for everyone here.
(Based on Why Breathwork by Patricia Coester)
Works Cited
Coester, Patricia. “Why Breathwork.” Inhale Exhale, www.inhaleexhale.info/why-breathwork. Accessed 17 Oct. 2022.
