When we practice Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB), the body enters a temporary state known as intermittent respiratory alkalosis. This happens because we’re taking in more oxygen and releasing more carbon dioxide than usual, which causes the blood to become slightly more alkaline for short periods of time.
What Is Respiratory Alkalosis?
Respiratory alkalosis is a temporary shift in the body’s acid-base balance that happens when you breathe out carbon dioxide faster than your body produces it. CO₂ is acidic, so when there’s less of it in your blood, your blood becomes more alkaline. This isn’t harmful in short bursts—in fact, it’s a natural response to things like intense emotions or changes in breathing. In breathwork, especially practices like CCB, this temporary alkalinity can actually help unlock emotional release and activate the nervous system in a way that supports healing.
How CCB Creates Respiratory Alkalosis
This state is similar to hyperventilation, but with a key difference: the process in CCB is intermittent. While hyperventilation is rapid, shallow, and uncontrollable, CCB is characterized by controlled, conscious, empowered, and rhythmic breathing. In hyperventilation, the body stays in a continuous alkalotic state, which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting.
However, in CCB, the breath is periodic, with natural changes in rhythm. This allows the body to safely experience intermittent respiratory alkalosis, cycling between states of alkalosis and balance. These shifts in pH can trigger emotional and physiological healing, release, and transformation, without the risks associated with sustained hyperventilation.
Why Is It Intermittent If the Breath is Continuously Connected?
Even during continuous connected breathing for 60 minutes, the state of respiratory alkalosis remains intermittent. Although the breath is continuous, the body naturally cycles between phases of inhalation and exhalation, even without conscious pauses. These fluctuations in breath lead to moments where CO2 is exhaled more quickly than usual, causing temporary alkalosis.
The nervous system adapts to the breath flow, balancing the alkalosis with recovery moments in the breath cycle, like slight pauses or internal regulation of gas levels. This means that even in a longer session, the body’s transition between alkalosis and recovery remains intermittent.
Conclusion
The intermittent nature of Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB) makes it a powerful yet safe way to access altered states of consciousness and experience deep physiological shifts. By naturally cycling between periods of alkalosis and balance, CCB supports emotional release, nervous system regulation, and profound healing—without the risks associated with continuous hyperventilation.
Ready to experience the transformative power of CCB for yourself? Explore our biannual breathwork retreats, immersive Breathwork Facilitator Training, or join one of our online or in-person breathing sessions. Reach out to inquire here to begin your journey.
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