Why Much Breathwork is Being Taught in A Way that Doesn't Support Long-Term Healing
Why Much Breathwork is Being Taught in A Way that Doesn't Support Long-Term Healing
Myself, Kaya Leigh, along with many other practitioners, researchers, psychologists, somatic therapists, etc that understand physiology, trauma and somatic rebalancing, are all in agreement that much circular breathwork (or conscious/connected breathwork) is being taught in a way that doesn’t support long-term healing and also that we need to move past default mouth-inhales as a default breath within the breath collective because they create oxidative stress, further fracturing and further non-safety/somatic armoring in the body over time. The majority of “breathwork” we are seeing today is not conducive to nervous system regulation, somatic unwinding or the big picture of what long-term healing actually looks like. We are instead suggested that breathwork should always be nervous-system led, not given as a “cookie-cutter” format.
Many “facilitators” out there do not fully understand the multidimensional catalyst of oxygenated states, the theta brainwave and the subsequent somatic, cellular, and emotional responses and releases which take place from these spaces. We are hearing story after story of breathwork being done “sloppily”, by people that do not understand trauma release or the depths of what this work is inducing. “Facilitators” giving no context or explanation of breathwork journeying, pulling people out too soon, not tracking breathers, not allowing for adequate post-journey processing, “dropping” journeyers, or teaching an aggressive mouth-inhale methodology which does not take into account nervous system response over time. Thus, we are currently putting together a video campaign on what ethical breathwork really is and what it looks like in real-time. Stayed tuned for this…
The Sacred Breath Method very intentionally incorporates an in-breath through the nose, which, by design, supports a long-term approach to healing. There are others teaching nose-inhales as well and this is something to look for in a breath immersion or workshop if you may carry unknown embedded trauma.
Because the nose is rich in nerves, this stimulates ventral vagal centers (vagus nerve), and also engages the lower portion of the lungs which, in turn, activates the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation/calming response). This is the direct opposite of a stress response (sympathetic nervous system). Once the parasympathetic nervous system turns on, cortisol levels decline and the parasympathetic receptors slow the stress response by releasing hormones that relax the mind and body while inhibiting, or subduing, many of the high energy functions of the body. It produces a visceral feeling of calmness and relaxation within which is key for meeting and releasing trauma, repressed emotions, early wounding and cellular imprinting. Through our breath, we can learn to trigger this parasympathetic response to immediately reduce any sense of anxiousness or stress in the body. This response helps to lift our mood, strengthen our immune system, and reduce blood pressure in the moment. Additionally, nose inhales allow for a deeper, richer breath and significantly more air on the inhale, delivering more oxygen throughout the body and brain overall.
Conversely, mouth inhales engage the upper portion of the lungs, where the sympathetic receptors are located, creating the sympathetic stress response, known as “fight or flight”. The fight or flight response releases stress hormones and can cause long term oxidative stress in the body. It can additionally create “stimulant” effects, akin to a short-term high. Mouth inhales also result in the intake of less air, creating shorter, more shallow inhales. There are many still teaching mouth-inhales (a majority percentage of breathwork) and our Academy holds healthy concern for the ethics of this practice.
Ultimately, this is why the method of the inhale and the overall approach to breathwork is so important. It is vital that in order to properly support breathwork journeying and somatic unwinding, we must intentionally take a more yin approach— meaning longer journeying, nourishing containers, and attuned guidance, alongside a calming nose-inhale. Otherwise, it is possible to potentially re-traumatize the breather if something becomes dislodged and not met in full-bodied receptivity. We have seen this happen with others schools/facilitators teaching mouth inhales more than we would like.
Because breath journeys with mouth-inhales can potentially cause an enhanced sympathetic stress state, this can inhibit deeper catharsis and/or surrender to one’s personal process. Again, this is why we place an emphasis on the importance of nose-inhales. If we, as facilitators, do not create an environment where journeyers can meet their delicate and wounded aspects in a gentle and receptive way, it can actually cause resistance to them going there or even cause them to shut down mid-way through. Traumas or imprints could then be uprooted but not moved through or released, causing disruption until resolved. The harsher, quicker yang breath taken in though the mouth does not always support the intimate meeting of wounds, we find, after many years of tracking and studying this in real-time.
Unfortunately, we are seeing quite a bit of these shorter immersions with mouth inhales happening right now, which can pave the way for re-traumatizion. Mouth-inhale breathwork and shorter 3-count mouth-inhale journeys where breathers are being pulled out too soon can also lead to hyperventilation and should be practiced with caution as this can lead to oxidative stress in the body. Again, these are more “yang” approaches to somatic unwinding. Mouth inhales can bypass the essential foundations of nervous system regulation and encourage people to override their physiology with “willpower” as a means to heal.
The Sacred Breath Method takes this into account and instead employs a yin approach of slowing it down and working with the physiology to support all processes of release. Remember, mouth inhales can shift the nervous system into “fight or flight”, and while they may offer temporary regulation for the individual, this is not a holistic approach to healing.
Proper breathing is diaphragmatic, deep and rhythmic. It should be practiced through the nose and preferably out of the mouth (though nose exhales are also acceptable.). “Diaphragmatic” means that the initial movement is from the abdomen and from the lower ribs. The movement should begin organically in the lower abdomen due to contraction of the diaphragm and on the sides of the body then moves up to the chest. Incorrect breathing contributes to neck and shoulder tension, shortness of breath, digestive concerns, oxidative stress, gastric reflux and heart burn and more.
Un-Informed or Unethical Breathwork Can Look Like:
Faster mouth inhales
Dropping people in too soon, not gracefully building oxygen levels and relaxing the nervous system to allow deepening and surrendering
Shorter journeys where people are being brought out too soon (breathwork journeys should never be 30 min!). Remember, dream time and subconscious descent and ascent back out should be a slow, intentional and artful process. It should never be rushed or forced.
Not explaining the process and what can occur (spectrum of emotional release, tetany, tightness, tingling and so forth)
Not giving adequate time for post-breathwork processing, grounding and integration
Sending people to drive home without being fully “back” (always wait at least 30 minutes before driving a car)
Popping out “facilitators” in day or weekend trainings
Let us strive to always... Be ethical. Be in integrity. Be informed. ©
For more information, see our blog post on breathwork ethics here.
— Written by Kaya Leigh, Founder of Sacred Breath Academy
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