Breathwork and the Autonomic Nervous System
Breathwork is a powerful tool for influencing your Autonomic Nervous System and how you feel.
Breathing is mainly controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily functions. The ANS ensures that breathing continues without conscious effort, adjusting the rate and depth of breathing in response to the body’s needs, such as during exercise or sleep.
However, breathing is unique because it can also be consciously controlled, allowing us to influence our breath rate and pattern voluntarily. This dual control is managed by:
1. Autonomic Control: The brainstem, particularly the medulla oblongata and pons, regulates automatic breathing based on signals like carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels, and blood pH.
2. Voluntary Control: The cerebral cortex allows us to consciously control breathing during activities like speaking, singing, or practicing breathwork.
This connection makes breathing a powerful tool for influencing the autonomic nervous system and regulating stress and relaxation responses.
How to Use Breathwork to Influence Your Nervous System
Breathwork tools such as 1:1 breathing (e.g., 5:0:5:0) can send signals of safety and calm to the autonomic nervous system, helping to slow the heart rate and quiet racing thoughts.
On the other hand, tools like Sniff Sniff Pooh can influence your nervous system by having a stimulating effect, increasing heart rate and blood flow and potentially helping to shift you out of procrastination or negative thought loops. Join my next Breathwork Workshop to LEARN MORE.
Check In Before & After
Before choosing which breathwork tool is right for you, take a moment to connect with your internal state. Notice what nervous system 'state' your body is in right now, and apply the tools accordingly. After practicing for a few minutes, reflect on how you feel to determine whether this tool is appropriate for your needs.
Breathwork is not a 'one-size-fits-all' tool
The most effective way to shift your state is by connecting with your internal processes and choosing a breathwork tool that meets your needs in the moment. This personalised approach helps you change your state in a way that aligns with what your body and mind require right now.
Want to learn more?
Join us in March for a 3-hour workshop where we’ll dive deeper into this topic. You’ll learn how to connect with your internal processes, discover which breathwork tools can help you feel your best, and unwind with an immersive breath and sound experience. Find all the details HERE.
You can find video resources on my YouTube Channel
