Starting anything is the hardest part, and I think we all get in our own way at times. Fear of being judged by others, Fear of not doing it right or it not working. It may come down to just fear of the unknown. When I first started breathwork or I could say breathwork found me. I was scared and unsure of what would or could happen. I was also in a spot in my life where my regular routine and patterns were not working for me. I was doing all the things I thought I should. I went to therapy, took my medication, I was eating healthy, doing yoga and walking regularly. All these things helped but I needed a breakthrough, I needed a push, I needed Breathwork.
Breathing techniques can be traced back thousands of years and even all the way to the Vedas from 1500-500 BCE, mostly in India, China and Greece. These practices are still practiced today but have morphed into modern breathwork modalities such as yogic pranayama, somatic breath therapy, conscious connected breathwork. Breathwork offers a wide variety of benefits to include physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual effects! Some of the most recent science-based research shows it reduces stress, anxiety, improving sleep, expanding lung capacity, and helps to balance blood pressure and heart rate. In my personal experience breathwork has improved my relationship with myself to included reduced anxiety, resilience, breaking negative habits, patience with myself and overall well-being.
Breathwork might seem simple, but it’s often misunderstood. So why is it hard to get started?
Common Misconceptions: These myths may be popular, but they simply don’t hold up. Let’s set the record straight.
- I already know how to breathe, so it won’t do anything for me
A: Breathwork teaches you different techniques of breathing that are not your normal breathing patterns.
- It’s supposed to be effortless and easy
A: Breath-WORK - It is in the title; you are going to WORK.
- You’re doing it wrong if your mind wanders.
A: Nope, doing great. If the mind wonders bring it back to the breath.
- Only spiritual people “get it.”
A: “Which spiritual people?” Breathwork is for anyone who can breathe
- If I don’t feel something intense, it isn’t working
A: Not true, sometimes some of the biggest breakthroughs happen off the mat.
- You’re supposed to over-breath all the time
A: Incorrect Hyperventilation is not good and that is what happens when you over-breath. Breathwork is controlled exercises, like stretching. This is why a Breathwork teacher is important to help facilitate the proper techniques.
- You need a lot of time for it to be effective
A: Nope, 2- 5 Minutes a day can make dramatic changes to daily activities and outlooks.
- Breathwork is the same as mediation
A: Mediation is passive and receptive, where Breathwork is intentional and engaging. These modalities are often used together or overlap.
Although these misconceptions are common. The REAL barriers that are laying underneath are probably more of the culprit of not getting started than the misconceptions.
Mental Resistance:
Sitting still is hard.
Fear of what might come up emotionally
I should be doing this… instead of this …
My mind won’t get quiet, I have too many thoughts
Physical Discomfort:
Dizziness, tension, tightness—especially early on.
Body discomfort, injury
Anxiety
Self-Judgment:
Feeling “bad” at breathing.
Comparing yourself to others.
What if I am loud
Getting Over the Hump
These are all real barriers in the road. It takes self-compassion and recognizing our own patterns to progress pass these humps. Here are some tricks and tips for getting over our own roadblocks we set for ourselves.
- Focus on consistency, not perfection
- Start small 2-5 minutes a day
- Be gentle with your body, there is adjustments you can make for ease
- You are in control of your breath, you can stop at anytime
- Play your favorite music while breathing (if not in class)
- Practice in your favorite nature spot (Bonus + for no shoes)
- Find a Breathwork Facilitator to work with either online or in person
- Find a friend to go with
- Journaling afterward to process emotions
- Try it, the simple fact that you showed up is a win!
You are not alone in feeling anything you are feeling. Discomfort is part of the process of getting comfortable in the uncomfortable. Sometimes the only way around something is though it. I believe in facing our issues head on and without fear. Getting out of your own way doesn’t mean never feeling fear, it means moving forward anyway.
Bonus***
Below I have included a study published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience on the Benefits of Slow Breathing.
*How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. (SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article. Front. Hum. Neurosci., 06 September 2018, Sec. Brain Health and Clinical Neuroscience
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full
