Breathwork is a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, finding a place of relaxation, centering oneself, and even improving sleep. On its own, it is an exercise well worth learning. But when combined with meditation, breathwork is even more productive. Hence, the practice known as breadth work meditation.
Breathing and Meditation Together
Let us begin by defining exactly what breathwork meditation is. As many of our readers know, breathwork is a practice of employing controlled breathing techniques to influence one’s physical, mental, and emotional state. There are different types of breathwork based on techniques like deep abdominal breathing and 4-7-8 breathing.
By combining conscious breathing techniques with meditation, we can enhance breathwork’s ability to impact the body, mind, and soul. It has even been suggested that breathwork meditation offers a therapeutic or healing modality that can be tapped into with the right training.
Comparison to Meditation Alone
It should be made clear that breathwork meditation is not automatically superior to meditation alone. Meditation, in its many forms, has much to offer. But there are key differences between breathwork meditation and what would be considered traditional, standalone meditation.
Consider the following three things:
- Passive Relaxation – Meditation is considered a passive relaxation technique. A person might focus on mindfulness or visualization to relax. Breathwork meditation is more active. The individual actively focuses on controlled breathing techniques.
- Long Term Results – Meditation is preferred for its long term mental and emotional health benefits. In contrast, breathwork meditation is more of a short-term practice. It offers more immediate stress relief, energy boosts, etc.
- Accessibility – Many forms of meditation require controlled environments that help participants get into a relaxed state of mind. Breathwork meditation is more accessible in the sense that it can be practiced virtually anywhere and at any time.
All of that said, having a quiet space to work in helps a lot. Breathwork meditation is also easier when a person is in a comfortable position. Sitting or lying down works well as long as one remains relaxed enough to promote easy breathing.
Why It’s Worth Learning
We finally get to the question of whether breathwork meditation is worth learning. Simply put, it is. Those who swear by it have seen firsthand what a good breathwork meditation session can accomplish. Here are just a few examples of what participants report:
- Stress Relief – Breathwork meditation allows a person to empty themself of stress and anxiety in a fairly short amount of time.
- Better Focus – As participants learn to master breathwork meditation, they discover a greater sense of focus and mental clarity. Many also find that they can concentrate more effectively and for longer periods of time.
- Emotional Control – Breathwork meditation helps participants manage their emotions more effectively. Hence, they have fewer ups and downs as a result.
- Better Health – A person’s perception of overall health tends to improve after beginning breathwork meditation. Some report sleeping better and feeling better throughout the day. Others say their respiratory systems seem stronger as well.
Maloca Sound cannot promise that breathwork meditation is the holy grail that will solve all the problems you face. But we can say that learning how to do it would be a terrific addition to all the other things you’re doing, including standalone meditation, sound healing, and yoga.
If you have already invested in meditation as a long-term mental, emotional, and physical healing practice, consider enhancing it by learning breathwork. Regular breathwork meditation sessions could change your whole outlook on the benefits of both practices. Breathwork meditation is definitely worth learning.
