Breathwork is a term for various breathing practices in which the conscious control of breathing is said to influence a person's mental, emotional, or physical state, with a therapeutic effect.[1] Breathwork may be helpful for relaxation and stress in a similar way to meditation.[2][3] Although there are claims that breathwork may provide other health benefits, no other health benefits have been proven.[2] During a breathwork session, individuals will typically lie down and be instructed to breathe using particular methods, depending on the sub-type of breathwork.[2] In addition to a practitioner, breathwork sessions will often have "sitters" present. Sitters are individuals who provide emotional or physical support to those practicing breathwork.[1] Most breathwork sessions last around an hour.[2] Breathwork practitioners believe that an individual's particular pattern of passive breathing can lead to insights about their unconscious mind.[1]
Breathwork is the use of breathing techniques in order to achieve altered states of consciousness and to have a variety of effects on physical and mental well-being.[1] Derived from multiple spiritual and pre-scientific traditions from around the world.[1] According to Jack Raso, breathwork is described by proponents as a multiform "healing modality" characterized by stylized breathing. Its purported design is to effect physical, emotional, and spiritual change. Such a process can allegedly "dissolve limiting programs" that are "stored" in the mind and body, and increases one's ability to handle more "energy".[4]
There are several sub-types of breathwork:
Rebirthing-Breathwork
A process described as releasing suppressed traumatic childhood memories, especially those related to one's own birth.[5] Orr proposed that correct breathing can cure disease and relieve pain.[6] Orr devised rebirthing therapy in the 1970s after he supposedly re-lived his own birth while in the bath.[5] He claimed that breathing techniques could be used to purge traumatic childhood memories that had been repressed.[5][7] There is no evidence that individuals can remember their births.[8] Memories of one's birth that appear to resurface during a rebirthing-breathwork practice are believed to be the result of false memories.[9] Rebirthing-breathwork is one of the practices critiqued by anti-cult experts Margaret Singer and Janja Lalich in the book Crazy Therapies: What Are They? Do They Work?.[6] Singer and Lalich write that proponents of such "bizarre" practices are proud of their non-scientific approach, and that this finds favor with an irrational clientele.[6] In 2006, a panel that consisted of over one hundred experts participated in a survey of psychological treatments; they considered rebirthing therapy to be discredited.[10]
Vivation
A practice that claims to improve wellbeing through the use of circular breathing.[11][12]
Holotropic Breathwork
A practice that uses rapid breathing and other elements such as music to put individuals in altered states of consciousness. It was developed by Stanislav Grof as a successor to his LSD-based psychedelic therapy, following the suppression of legal LSD use in the late 1960s.[13] Side effects of the hyperventilation aspect of holotropic breathwork can include cramping in the hands and around the mouth.[1] As the expressed goal of holotropic breathwork is to attain an altered state, it should not be attempted alone.[1] Following a 1993 report commissioned by the Scottish Charities Office, concerns about the risk that the hyperventilation technique could cause seizure or lead to psychosis in vulnerable people caused the Findhorn Foundation to suspend its breathwork programme.[14]
Others
There are many other types of Breathwork which have emerged over the last few decades, including Integrative Breathwork, Transformational Breathwork, Shamanic Breathwork, Conscious Connected Breathing, Radiance Breathwork, Zen Yoga Breathwork.
^ abcdefghYoung JS, Cashwell CS, Giordano AL (2010). "Breathwork as a therapeutic modality: an overview for counselors". Counseling and Values. 55 (1): 113. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2010.tb00025.x.
^ abcdefAdes TB, ed. (2009). "Breathwork". American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies (2nd ed.). American Cancer Society. pp. 72–74. ISBN9780944235713.
^Dolan, Eric W. (2023-02-06). "Breathwork shows promise in reducing stress, anxiety and depression, according to a new meta-analysis". PsyPost. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
^Crimi, Jon Paul (2023). "What Is Circular Breathing Technique?".
^"Breathe Easy Holistic program airs out stress-filled habitat". Denver Post. 7 February 1996. p. G-01.
^Cortright, Brant (1997). Psychotherapy and Spirit: Theory and Practice in Transpersonal Psychotherapy. SUNY Press. p. 100. ISBN978-0791434666.
^Stephen J., Castro (1996). Hypocrisy and dissent within the findhorn foundation : towards a sociology of a New Age community. New Media Books. ISBN0-9526881-0-7. OCLC 1203447030.
^"How to take the perfect breath: why learning to breathe properly could change your life". the Guardian. 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
^Hart, William (1987). The art of living : Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka (1st ed.). San Francisco: Harper & Row. ISBN978-1-928706-73-1. OCLC 778448192.
October 23, 2023
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Breathwork is a term for various breathing practices in which the conscious control of breathing is said to influence a person s mental emotional or physical state with a therapeutic effect 1 Breathwork may be helpful for relaxation and stress in a similar way to meditation 2 3 Although there are claims that breathwork may provide other health benefits no other health benefits have been proven 2 During a breathwork session individuals will typically lie down and be instructed to breathe using particular methods depending on the sub type of breathwork 2 In addition to a practitioner breathwork sessions will often have sitters present Sitters are individuals who provide emotional or physical support to those practicing breathwork 1 Most breathwork sessions last around an hour 2 Breathwork practitioners believe that an individual s particular pattern of passive breathing can lead to insights about their unconscious mind 1 A breathwork exerciseSome common side effects include sleepiness tingling in the hands feet or face and a sense of altered consciousness that can be distressing to some 2 Breathwork is generally considered safe if done with a skilled practitioner but there are contraindications such as cardiovascular disease glaucoma high blood pressure mental illness severe asthma or seizure disorders among others 1 2 Description and sub types EditBreathwork is the use of breathing techniques in order to achieve altered states of consciousness and to have a variety of effects on physical and mental well being 1 Derived from multiple spiritual and pre scientific traditions from around the world 1 According to Jack Raso breathwork is described by proponents as a multiform healing modality characterized by stylized breathing Its purported design is to effect physical emotional and spiritual change Such a process can allegedly dissolve limiting programs that are stored in the mind and body and increases one s ability to handle more energy 4 There are several sub types of breathwork Rebirthing Breathwork A process described as releasing suppressed traumatic childhood memories especially those related to one s own birth 5 Orr proposed that correct breathing can cure disease and relieve pain 6 Orr devised rebirthing therapy in the 1970s after he supposedly re lived his own birth while in the bath 5 He claimed that breathing techniques could be used to purge traumatic childhood memories that had been repressed 5 7 There is no evidence that individuals can remember their births 8 Memories of one s birth that appear to resurface during a rebirthing breathwork practice are believed to be the result of false memories 9 Rebirthing breathwork is one of the practices critiqued by anti cult experts Margaret Singer and Janja Lalich in the book Crazy Therapies What Are They Do They Work 6 Singer and Lalich write that proponents of such bizarre practices are proud of their non scientific approach and that this finds favor with an irrational clientele 6 In 2006 a panel that consisted of over one hundred experts participated in a survey of psychological treatments they considered rebirthing therapy to be discredited 10 Vivation A practice that claims to improve wellbeing through the use of circular breathing 11 12 Holotropic Breathwork A practice that uses rapid breathing and other elements such as music to put individuals in altered states of consciousness It was developed by Stanislav Grof as a successor to his LSD based psychedelic therapy following the suppression of legal LSD use in the late 1960s 13 Side effects of the hyperventilation aspect of holotropic breathwork can include cramping in the hands and around the mouth 1 As the expressed goal of holotropic breathwork is to attain an altered state it should not be attempted alone 1 Following a 1993 report commissioned by the Scottish Charities Office concerns about the risk that the hyperventilation technique could cause seizure or lead to psychosis in vulnerable people caused the Findhorn Foundation to suspend its breathwork programme 14 Others There are many other types of Breathwork which have emerged over the last few decades including Integrative Breathwork Transformational Breathwork Shamanic Breathwork Conscious Connected Breathing Radiance Breathwork Zen Yoga Breathwork See also EditReverse breathing commonly referred to as Taoist breathing Buteyko method Gay Hendricks Hyperventilation Hypoventilation Pranayama the use of the breath in yoga 15 Anapanasati mindfulness of breath in Buddhist meditation 16 Primal therapy Wim HofReferences Edit a b c d e f g h Young JS Cashwell CS Giordano AL 2010 Breathwork as a therapeutic modality an overview for counselors Counseling and Values 55 1 113 doi 10 1002 j 2161 007X 2010 tb00025 x a b c d e f Ades TB ed 2009 Breathwork American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies 2nd ed American Cancer Society pp 72 74 ISBN 9780944235713 Dolan Eric W 2023 02 06 Breathwork shows promise in reducing stress anxiety and depression according to a new meta analysis PsyPost Retrieved 2023 02 10 Jack Raso M S R D Quackwatch March 25 2007 a b c Radford B 2000 New Age Rebirthing Treatment Kills Girl Skeptical Inquirer 24 5 6 a b c Carroll RT 2011 Psychotherapies New Age p 317 ISBN 978 1 118 04563 3 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Turner S 30 May 1988 Echoes of the age of Aquarius Festival of Mind Body Spirit The Times Can a Person Remember Being Born HowStuffWorks 2008 05 06 Retrieved 2022 02 28 Gardner Martin May June 2001 Primal Scream A Persistent New Age Therapy PDF Skeptical Inquirer pp 17 19 Retrieved 28 February 2022 Norcross John C Koocher Gerald P Garofalo Ariele 2006 Discredited Psychological Treatments and Tests Delphi Poll PsycTESTS Dataset doi 10 1037 t24920 000 Retrieved 2021 12 24 Crimi Jon Paul 2023 What Is Circular Breathing Technique Breathe Easy Holistic program airs out stress filled habitat Denver Post 7 February 1996 p G 01 Cortright Brant 1997 Psychotherapy and Spirit Theory and Practice in Transpersonal Psychotherapy SUNY Press p 100 ISBN 978 0791434666 Stephen J Castro 1996 Hypocrisy and dissent within the findhorn foundation towards a sociology of a New Age community New Media Books ISBN 0 9526881 0 7 OCLC 1203447030 How to take the perfect breath why learning to breathe properly could change your life the Guardian 2020 08 26 Retrieved 2020 09 02 Hart William 1987 The art of living Vipassana meditation as taught by S N Goenka 1st ed San Francisco Harper amp Row ISBN 978 1 928706 73 1 OCLC 778448192 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Breathwork amp oldid 1177460222 Description and sub types, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
