The Mechanism of Breathwork in Alleviating Stress and Trauma
Breathwork embodies holistic healing by enhancing oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which boosts energy and endurance. The volume of oxygen inhaled influences the energy supplied to your cells, using this surplus energy to bolster your immune system and energize you during sleepless nights or stressful days, common energy-draining factors.
Inhaling deeply enhances lung function and facilitates detoxification, with almost half of bodily toxins, including carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminated through exhalation. Deep, rhythmic breaths expand the diaphragm, soothing the body and stimulating the lymphatic system to help expel toxins. This also strengthens the lungs, improving their capacity to release toxins.
Certain breathwork techniques have shown to be more impactful than traditional talk therapies in processing trauma. Research by Holmes, Morris, Clance, and Putney in 1996 compared breathwork with verbal psychotherapy and found that breathwork methods like transformational breath and holotropic breathwork significantly improved self-esteem and reduced anxiety about death over standard verbal therapy.
Moreover, the practice of diaphragmatic breathing, rooted in ancient Eastern religions, meditation, and martial arts, is critical for emotional equilibrium and social integration, complementing Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) and yoga. Studies in health psychology and clinical treatments have identified diaphragmatic breathing as an effective, soothing technique in alternative medicine, offering considerable mental and physical health advantages.
Breathwork as a Natural Remedy for Arthritis
Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation, results in pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly affecting the elderly. Research indicates that breathwork naturally alleviates arthritis symptoms.
Yoga, incorporating pranayama, meditation, and breathwork, yields extensive holistic health benefits for individuals across all ages. For elderly practitioners, these benefits are particularly pronounced in easing symptoms of arthritis, osteoporosis, and hypertension, ultimately enhancing musculoskeletal flexibility, range of motion, reducing pain, and improving posture.
Understanding Breathwork Sessions for Trauma Healing
Breathwork techniques are simple, allowing for solo practice at home or with loved ones. Professionally, sessions are often conducted in groups under the guidance of trained facilitators, aiming to reach altered states of consciousness. These sessions may include rapid breathing exercises for set durations, sometimes accompanied by music, enabling participants to tap into their highest potential.
The Impact of Breathwork on the Body and Mind
According to Lilia, a certified breathwork therapist, long-term stress leads to increased inflammation, linking to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stress, depression, and a weakened immune system.
Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the brain’s stress response and reducing the fight, flight, or freeze reaction. It allows more oxygen to reach the brain, freeing mental capacity to directly confront physical sensations associated with stress. Breathwork also induces electrical brain activity, enhancing emotional judgement and memory. Mindful breathing techniques can even reduce the size of the amygdala, known for its role in stress and initiating the fight or flight response, thereby offering relief from stress. Chemical and neurological changes during breathwork, driven by alterations in breathing patterns, are often related to the vagus nerve’s role in transmitting peripheral signals.
Conclusion
Breathwork stands out as a comprehensive tool for healing and personal transformation, where conscious, deep breathing aids in overcoming trauma by releasing pent-up tension and energy from the subconscious mind. For those intrigued by its potential, exploring the appropriate breathwork practice is a step towards achieving mental and physical health.
