WHY BREATHWORK?
By Smaragda Tsopanaki
Before diving into why breathwork is so transformative, let me first discuss the power of our breath. It’s something we often take for granted, simply because it’s automatic. Breathing happens without our conscious effort—our body just knows what to do. But there’s so much more to it than we might realize.
Some Amazing Facts About Our Breath:
Our breath is the very first thing we do when we enter this world, and it will be the last thing we do before we leave.
Our breath is what keeps us alive.
On average, we take 20,000 to 25,000 breaths each day, but we do it without thinking about it.
Our breath is the fastest, most direct way to connect with our body and emotions.
Our breath serves as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious, allowing us to access deeper parts of ourselves.
· Our breath has the power to regulate our nervous system. And the state of our health is impacted by the state of our nervous system.
Research shows that how we breathe directly affects our emotional state. When we’re stressed, we breathe differently—and by changing how we breathe, we can change how we feel.
Breathing through your mouth can even impact how your face develops! Studies have found that people who primarily breathe through their mouths can see negative changes in facial structure compared to those who breathe through their noses.
Two Quotes That Capture the Power of Breath:
“A yogi measures the span of life by the number of breaths, not by the number of years.”
~ Swami Sivananda
“Breath is the bridge that connects life to consciousness.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
SO, WHY BREATHWORK?
During a breathwork session, we shift from unconscious, automatic breathing to intentional, connected breathing. This is what we call Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB). While we may take 20,000 to 25,000 breaths a day without thinking about it, everything changes when we start breathing consciously.
As I like to say, when we breathe with intention, magic happens! Every breath becomes an opportunity for transformation. Through this intentional practice, we can become alchemists of our own lives, turning pain into healing, and confusion into clarity.
What I love most about breathwork is its holistic approach. It harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit, blending ancient wisdom with modern scientific understanding. It’s a practice for all tastes and resonates with everyone, no matter what path you’re on.
Breathwork begins by grounding you in your body, helping you connect with your sensations and emotions. But as you trust the process and let go, it can take you beyond the physical into altered states of consciousness. You can feel euphoric, and liberated—almost as though you’ve accessed a natural high. With breathwork you can get high just by breathing alone, isn’t that amazing? 😊
The Benefits of Breathwork:
· Improve sleep
· Stronger immune system, improve digestion, release of toxins, lower heart pressure
· Greater resilience to stress
· Regulation of the nervous system
· Release of tension and relief from physical pain
· Activation of the body’s self-healing abilities
· Alignment with your true self and life purpose
· A sense of inner peace, bliss, and unshakable confidence
So, what are you waiting for? It is time to explore the magic of your own breath.
By Smaragda Tsopanaki
Smaragda Tsopanaki teaches breathwork at Yoga Moves. Find her classes here.
