Breathwork refers to breathing techniques that intentionally channel and focus on the breath. For thousands of years, Eastern medicine practices, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, have employed breathing techniques to calm the body and the mind. “Our minds tend to be very active, often thinking about the past and worrying about the future instead of residing in the present moment,” Dr. Young explains. “This can lead to the activation of stress hormones for extended periods of time, which can have adverse effects on the body. Chronic stress increases the risk of a number of diseases and disease processes in the body.” It’s no secret that mental and emotional stress can manifest in physical ways, playing a role in issues like:
Aches and pains.
Digestive problems.
Headaches.
High blood pressure.
Insomnia.
Muscle tension.
Sexual dysfunction.
A weakened immune system.
But stress management techniques — including breathwork — are one way to help you step back from the chaos and keep your mind and body healthy.