Breathwork- a superpower you have had all along

Breathwork is one of those things, where if you haven’t heard of it, you likely think it’s going to be some crazy new age fad that does absolutely nothing. Until you have experienced a breathwork session, it’s hard to put into words the benefits and potential outcomes. But, I still feel a responsibility to try and spread the word about it, and how it truly is a super power you didn’t know you had.

Did you know, that as a species, we have evolved to become mouth breathers? I know, you’re thinking who gives a shit. But this is actually extremely important in our evolution and potentially, our future as a surviving species. This isn’t a good evolutionary trait, it’s actually something that can impact humans in the long run, in a very negative way. See, we were designed to breath through our noses for multiple reasons:

1. Breathing through our nose, allows the air to be warmed and humidified before reaching our lungs, allowing for maximum oxygen absorption.

2. By breathing through our nose, the mucous membranes in our nose trap harmful bacteria and viruses that would normally make us sick.

3. It produces nitric oxide, which helps widen our blood vessels, creating oxygen rich blood circulation

4. Breathing through our nose lowers blood pressure

5. It Prevents dental issues, by avoiding mouth drying

The list can truly go on and on, if this little information so far fascinates you- you should read “Breath: New science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor. Seriously an amazing read.

Anyway, we can see the benefits but why is it a superpower? I call breathwork a superpower because it helps you on a physical, spiritual, and emotional level. We just covered the physical benefits, and those are pretty self explanatory.

When it comes to spiritual and emotional benefits, breathwork allows us to come back to our bodies and move stagnant energy that could be harming us in the physical sense, and or the emotional sense. Breathwork is always a precursor to meditation for me, it gives me something to focus on at first and drop into my body.

I hear people say all the time- “I can never meditate, my mind won’t shut up”. While that’s not the point of meditation, breathwork can be a great entry level addition to get your mind a little more quiet and prepared to sit in meditation.

As a pranayama breathwork instructor, I learned over 50 amazing different breathwork techniques that range from energizing the body and really releasing some seriously stuck energy, to very calming techniques that can aid in sleep. There truly is a technique for anything you are experiencing, and you have the capability. It’s literally something you do every minute of everyday.

What will you do with your super power?