What is Breathwork?

Written By Cornelia Krausz

Dont we all breathe anyway?

Breathing is an autonomous process within our body that keeps us alive. We dont need to think about it; our body takes care of it by itself.

Breathwork means intentionally changing our breathing pattern, using a specific breathing technique to consciously breathe to reach a desired outcome. By bringing awareness to your breath and controlling your breathing, you can experience many benefits that come with Breathwork, for example, deep relaxation and calming your nervous system.

Different styles can impact the nervous system in various ways.

You can either calm it (activating the parasympathetic nervous system) or energise it (engaging the sympathetic nervous system).

What is the "Conscious Connected Breath" technique?

Through the CCB, we focus on a circular breathing pattern, meaning to focus on an active inhale, followed by a relaxed exhale.

The inhales and exhales are connected, meaning there is no pause between inhales or exhales. This creates a circular breathing pattern. Inhale & exhales can be done through either the nostrils or mouth.

What does Breathwork help with?

There are multiple benefits to Breathwork.

Experienced (but not limited) in the following areas, you can notice the benefits on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level, depending on the breathwork session, approach, and theme.

During a Conscious Connected Breathwork session with me, your parasympathetic nervous system will be activated, which means your body and mind will relax and move into the "rest & digest" state.

Besides a deep feeling of relaxation, improved sleep, and a refreshed sense of being, Breathwork can also help improve your immune system and allow your body to release any stuck memories or emotions.

Becoming aware of your breathing and participating in a breathwork session also has many mental and emotional benefits, which means creating and experiencing a deeper sense of self, dropping out of your mind and into your body, allowing you to feel and be in the very moment.

Spiritual experiences and altered states of consciousness can also happen, you may have realisations or AHA moments through felt sensations and clarity that can be experienced throughout a breathwork session.

Breathwork and ADHD, how does it help?

Breathwork provides the opportunity to relax deeply, giving the overthinking and overwhelmed mind a much-needed break and the participant the ability to connect with their body & breath.

Regardless of your ADHD type, breathwork sessions welcome any movements throughout the sessions, which means it is okay if you physically can't sit/ie down still.

For inattentive ADHD brains, Breathwork can also be hugely beneficial, as it teaches the ability to bring attention to the breath and body.

Breathwork is an "out of mind" practice, which I found personally hugely beneficial for my own challenges that I experience through ADHD.

I noticed a significant improvement in my sense of feeling relaxed or grounded and coming back to a relaxed state after periods of excitement, adrenaline or hyperfocus.

I also noticed a massive improvement in regards to experiencing phases of executive dysfunctions, which are shorter and almost non-existent now. A regulated nervous system has huge benefits for people with ADHD.

Procrastination has also decreased for me and although I still get easily distracted (especially with boring tasks or things I dont enjoy doing), I am still able to progress on it, get it done and complete an unfinished project.

Speaking from personal experience, I still experience ADHD traits, but managing them and enjoying a sense of contentment and inner peace has been so valuable, and Breathwork is one modality that helped me along the way.

Slowing down is one of the most important skills we can practise when experiencing ADHD, and Breathwork most certainly helps with that.

I am new to this and dont know if Breathwork is for me?

That is perfectly fine. You dont need to be an experienced Yoga or have years of experience with meditation. An open mind is all you need.

Although Breathwork feels like meditation (just more enhanced/intense), it is easy to participate and follow your facilitator's guidance.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions beforehand and I'm more than happy to help.

If you are curious, I highly recommend coming along or trying a breathwork session and seeing what happens for you.

Benefits of Breathwork:

Some of the benefits are:

  • Stress and anxiety-reducing

  • deep sense of relaxation and calmness

  • Gaining clarity

  • Helping to process and regulate emotions

  • Better sleep

  • Increased energy

  • Improved focus

  • Regulated nervous system

  • Improving lung capacity

  • Slower heart rate (which can impact blood pressure positively)

When can I NOT do Breathwork?

Although Breathwork as such is a safe practice, but if you experience conditions like asthma, cardiovascular issues, heart issues, epilepsy, or psychiatric disorders, please check with your GP first.

If pregnant, please ask your breathwork facilitator first or check your waiver form being sent to you before a session.

It is not advised to participate if any of the below apply:

  • Cardiovascular Issues

  • Respiratory Conditions

  • Pregnancy

  • Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders

  • Severe Mental Health Conditions: Including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety or depression

  • Recent Surgery or Physical Injuries

  • Glaucoma or Detached Retina

Cornelia Krausz
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