How to Increase Your Energy Through Breathwork

There's so much to do in a day that it's often hard to find the energy to get everything done. Sometimes, even sleep doesn't restore our energy. The solution may be right under your nose. Some believe that breathing properly and guided breathing exercises can increase your energy both physically and mentally, relieving symptoms like stress or even insomnia. Follow these steps to increase your energy through breathwork.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Breathwork facilitator

Understand Proper Breathing

1. Realize that most of us don't breathe correctly and thus bear a higher level of stress. Since the lungs are not proportioned evenly throughout, the top half of the lungs exchange oxygen less efficiently than the bottom half. If you don't breathe deeply, you're not maximizing your oxygen intake.
2. Know that when you breathe shallowly with your chest and receive less oxygen, your heart pumps faster, which increases both your blood pressure and your stress level. You'll deplete energy levels managing that stress.
3. Be comforted knowing that when you simply increase your oxygen intake, your heart rate slows, your blood pressure drops and your stress levels decline. You'll find that your energy reserves increase and the tension in your muscles fades away.
4. Practice proper breathing techniques. Inhale through your nose, pause and exhale through your mouth, focusing on the core muscles of your abdomen. Try to pull these muscles toward your spine during the exhale.
5. Read more about proper breathing at The Happy Guy Web site (see Resources below).

Increase Positive Energy and Decrease Negative Energy

6. Be aware that breathwork can be enhanced by complementary strategies that reduce negative energy and increase positive energy. Consider adding yoga or Pilates to your daily routine, since both of these disciplines focus on proper breathing techniques as well as muscle tone and definition.
7. Know that breathwork attempts to remove the negative energy inside us through a process called rebirthing, which simulates the birthing process. In doing so, the negative energy is released as a baby would release it and allows you to increase your positive energy.
8. Find more information about breathwork and rebirthing at the Association for Holotropic Breathwork International Web site (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Breathwork classes can come with fees ranging from the affordable to the expensive. Many facilitators offer different packages, including private and group sessions, single-day sessions and weekend retreat sessions. Ask your local practitioner for his or her current rates.
• Breathwork usually consists of drastically altering breathing patterns to achieve heightened states. If you have breathing problems such as asthma, consult your physician before enrolling in classes. Additionally, be aware that breathwork participants are prone to hypoxia (not enough oxygen) and rare cases of insanity. These should both be treated by a qualified physician or emergency room technician.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.