Understanding the distinctions among Breathwork, Functional Breath Work, and Pranayama is useful as the popularity of ‘Breathwork’ surges. The term itself, however, can be ambiguous, leading to misconceptions. Some interpret it as a functional approach to improve everyday breathing, which may elicit humorous responses like, “I’ve been breathing my whole life!” Others associate it with yogic practices or anxiety-reducing breathing exercises. But in reality, Breathwork is none of those things. In this article, we will answer the question of ‘What is Breathwork,’ and outline how it differs from other breathing based modalities.
So What is Breathwork?
‘Breathwork’ without a space between ‘breath’ and ‘work’ refers to a transformative practice where one breathes continuously without pauses between their inhales and exhales for the purpose of inducing altered states of consciousness. It is also known as ‘Conscious Connected Breathwork (or CCB),’ ‘Connected Breathwork,’ ‘Circular Breathwork,’ or ‘Circular Breathing.’ This practice has gained significant popularity in the past five years, and it originated from the 1960s branches of Holotropic and Rebirthing Breathwork (if you would like to find out more about The History of Modern Breathwork, click here). While the methods and structure of the sessions vary among the hundreds of Breathwork variants which now exist, they all share the commonality of connected breathing.
Connected breathing in Breathwork leads to altered states of consciousness similar to psychedelics. Every Breathwork session is different for every person, every time, and the breath is the medicine and the guide, taking you exactly where you need to go for your highest healing. The duration of a Breathwork sessions varies and can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 3+ hours. Sticking to this breathing pattern can be incredibly difficult to do on your own, and for the deepest experience, it is recommended that you do it with the assistance of a qualified Breathwork facilitator.
Connected breathing is the technique we offer at Unity Breathwork, and our sessions are 90 minutes long, with 60 minutes of breathing. We believe that 60 minutes of connected breathing is the ideal duration, allowing sufficient time to alter consciousness and embark on a deep inner journey. This timeframe is highly accessible and accommodates most people’s schedules.
If you see an advertisement for a ‘Breathwork Journey,’ or a Breathing class that mentions altering your consciousness or deep healing, then this is likely what is being facilitated. Some well-known Breathwork companies include: Make Some Breathing Space, Owaken, Alchemy of Breath, Unity Breathwork, Transformational Breathwork, Biodynamic Breathwork, Breath Masters, Neurodynamic Breathwork, Rebirthing, Clarity Breathwork, and Breath of Bliss.
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is an ancient yogic breath practice focused on controlling the breath to direct life force energy (Prana). It prepares the mind for meditation and is purifying. While some yoga and tantra teachers may refer to Pranayama as ‘Breathwork,’ it’s important to use the accurate term to avoid confusion. If you see a class that is being held at a yoga studio and it is touted as Breath Work (with a space between the words), it is likely a Pranayama class.
Pranayama and Breathwork have different lineages and intentions, with the former emphasizing breath and mind control; and the latter emphasizing altered states of consciousness, the establishment of a connection to our inner wisdom, and complete surrender to what wants to unfold. Additionally, Breathwork is typically practiced lying down with closed eyes, while Pranayama frequently involve sitting upright.
What is Functional Breath Work?
Functional Breath Work (or functional breathing classes), are sometimes also referred to as ‘Breathwork,’ but the techniques and goals couldn’t be more different. The aim of functional breath work is to teach people how to breathe more effectively for better overall health. It focuses on correcting breathing patterns to enhance lung capacity and avoid negative effects on the body’s systems. Central to functional breath work, is the teaching of nose breathing, and actively working to stop unintentionally breathing through the mouth. In contrast, with Breathwork, we purposefully breathe through the mouth, as this supports the biochemical alterations that lead to altered states of consciousness.
What Are Breath Practices and Exercises?
Breath Practices and Exercises, are also mistakenly referred to as ‘Breathwork’ by some, but again they are very different then Breathwork. They involve manipulating the breath to achieve specific physical, mental, or emotional states. These practices are shorter in duration, don’t purposefully alter consciousness, and are not primarily for transformation or deep emotional healing. They are often self-guided and don’t usually require a facilitator. Most of these practices focus on activating the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system to induce relaxation. This is the opposite of Breathwork, where the goal is to activate the sympathetic nervous system to charge the psyche with awareness and open the door for deep insights and trauma-release.
Concluding Thoughts on What Is Breathwork
Despite the distinctions among the above breathing modalities, the exploration of breath remains a common thread, highlighting the diverse ways in which breath is harnessed for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Each variant, offers unique benefits and is worthy of exploration. If you are interested in experiencing the myriad of benefits that Breathwork has to offer, then I invite you to join a group Breathwork session in Austin, Sayulita, Whitby, or Toronto, or contact me to schedule a private or group online Breathwork session.
All content in this article is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of any part of this content is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the author.