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 BREATHWORK

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF BREATHWORK
Breathwork is a term that encompasses various focused therapeutic breathing techniques.  These can include conscious alteration of breathing, connecting inhale and exhale without pause and/or creating an altered state of consciousness. Sustained practice may result in psychological or spiritual benefits.

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS BREATHWORK MAY BE HELPFUL FOR

- Learning to breathe through difficult or uncomfortable experiences
- Resolving old traumas
- Helping to correct physical symptoms and conditions created by stress and tension
- Improving physical health, increase energy
- Creating stronger connection to higher spirit
- Helping to create a greater awareness of breath
- Enhancing mental capacities

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF BREATHWORK
Some people believe that modern breathwork therapies could have originally derived from yogic Pranayama, or breathing exercises, and other traditional practices that are generally associated with it.  Pranayama is used across the globe, and is intended to meet the body's needs, keep it in vibrant health, and assist in raising consciousness.  
 
Leonard Orr is commonly credited to have formulated breathwork therapies during the 1970s.  Although he didn’t have formal training in psychology, he was passionately committed to developing methods of attaining personal growth and knowledge.  By practicing various breathing techniques while surrounded by warm water, Orr believed he was able to remember experiences of his own birth.  Orr experimented with others using these techniques and then reported their own birth memories.  Further experience revealed that an individual could replicate this experience by using the breathing techniques while relaxing in a prone position. Breathwork therapies then evolved.
 
The techniques changed again in the 1980s toward a less active process emphasizing slower breathing and meditative techniques.  The first written breathwork guide was written by Leonard and Laut in 1983.

Breathwork has become increasingly popular in the United States as a personal growth and awareness technique.  In Europe, it is sometimes used as a replacement for traditional psychotherapy.  Research findings have indicated its utility as a treatment to alleviate depression and anxiety.

Since 1990 Breathwork therapies have evolved and become more specialized.

They have developed into many different types including:
- Conscious Connected Breathing
- Rebirthing
- Breakthrough Breathwork
- Vivation
- Transformational Breathwork
- Radiance Breathwork
- Holotropic Breathing

Leonard Orr and Stanislav Grof are two modern Breathwork practitioners whose work has greatly influenced others.

Leonard Orr (1938 -) was a born again Christian as a teen and attended seminary with plans of becoming a preacher. However, while in school, Leonard said he felt a calling to be a minister to those who did not belong to an organized church. Pursuing this calling, Orr soon was reading and practicing New Thought philosophy (such as "Science of Mind.") 

Orr believed that our thoughts created our external world, and amassed devotees to his concepts.  During this time he spent increasing amounts of time in his bathtub, literally staying in for hours every day. While in the bathtub Orr frequently experienced visions of being in the womb or experiencing his own birth.

Orr was confused by these memories but observed his own experiences then began to assist others in recalling their experience of birth He did this by having them relax face-down in a hot tub, supported by several attendants, and breathing through a snorkel. While observing these individuals Orr realized that they breathed in a certain rhythm, and began developing the Rebirthing Breathwork technique.

The Rebirthing Breathwork technique involves continuous inhaling and exhaling, similar to panting.   In his low intervention approach, there is breathing guidance but no encouragement for movement or externalizing emotion.

Dr. Stanislav Grof developed additional forms of breathwork through his research into various states of consciousness.  Grof is known for his early studies of LSD and its effects on the psyche.

Using LSD trips, Grof developed his own theory of prenatal psychology, holding that powerful experiences can be reflected in one’s prenatal experiences.  Over time, this theory developed into an in-depth "cartography" of the deep human psyche. After LSD was banned in the late 1960s, Grof found that these altered states of consciousness can be obtained by certain forms of breathing in a controlled environment. He continues this work today under the title "Holotropic Breathwork."

Grof’s Holotropic Breathwork is characterized by a focus on the pressure and force of the breath.  Very loud, forceful drumming music is used to evoke psychological reactions, and hyperventilation may be used to help integrate emotions.  Although there are strong external influences the experience is directed by the client.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF BREATHWORK
Theories of breathwork hold that during painful and negative experiences in one’s past the individual naturally tends to hold breath rather than breathe normally.  This holding of breath tends to hold in the painful experiences and memories, causing one to remain stuck in negativity.  Using breathwork can lead to these stagnant energies being released and leaving the body, promoting a sense of wellness and relief.  As the individual learns to breathe through all experiences, there is an increased sense of happiness wellbeing.

Breathwork comes in many forms, each with a different aim. The experiences in the non-ordinary state brought on by the breathwork can be categorized as:

- Sensory
- Biographical
- Perinatal (birth process)
- Transpersonal (beyond the body and personal identity)

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF BREATHWORK IS LIKE
Breathwork sessions depend greatly upon the type of training the practitioner has had.

Breathwork can be conducted in a workshop or class settings. Private sessions may be available as well. The session usually begins with a brief period during which each individual in the group expresses how they are feeling and discusses key issues in their life. The breathwork practitioner generally instructs the participants with suggestions and addresses any inquiries.

In a class, everyone pairs up with a partner. Each person in the pair takes turns as a "breather" and a "sitter." The sitter attends to the breather’s basic needs by helping the breather stay physically comfortable; the sitter also provides continuous encouragement. The sitter's main goal is to provide the breather with a safe, loving environment.

The breather assumes a relaxing position and uses blankets to attain a state of comfort and warmth.  After the breathwork leader conducts a short relaxation exercise, specific music is played. The breather begins breathing faster and deeper as instructed by the facilitator. The breathwork leader may encourage breathers to use a continuous breath similar to slow panting and to attempt to deepen the breathing.  However, the breather always has complete control over the type of breathing done, and if negative physical feelings arise the breathwork leader may intervene by conducting specific bodywork or techniques.

When the breathwork session is complete, the group may share their experiences before the concluding.

Who does it?
BREATHWORK PRACTITIONERS
There is currently no state licensing required to practice breathwork.  It is sometimes practiced in conjunction with various other forms of touch or energy therapies that may require licensure.