Breathwork Research Articles

Frequency of yoga practice predicts health: results of a national survey of yoga practitioners.

Background. Yoga shows promise as a therapeutic intervention, but relationships between yoga practice and health are underexplored. Purpose. To examine the relationship between yoga practice and health (subjective well-being, diet, BMI, smoking, alcohol/caffeine consumption, sleep, fatigue, social support, mindfulness, and physical activity). Methods. Cross-sectional, anonymous internet surveys distributed to 4307 randomly selected from 18,160 individuals at 15 US Iyengar yoga studios; 1045 (24.3%) surveys completed. Results. Mean age 51.7 (± 11.7) years; 84.2% female. Frequency of home practice favorably predicted (P < .001): mindfulness, subjective well-being, BMI, fruit and vegetable consumption, vegetarian status, sleep, and fatigue. Each component of yoga practice (different categories of physical poses, breath work, meditation, philosophy study) predicted at least 1 health outcome (P < .05). Conclusions. Home practice of yoga predicted health better than years of practice or class frequency. Different physical poses and yoga techniques may have unique health benefits.

Long-Term Abstinence Following Holotropic Breathwork as Adjunctive Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Related Psychiatric Comorbidity

Addictions remain challenging conditions despite various promising traditional approaches. Although complete, long-term abstinence may be ideal, its attainment remains elusive. Many recovering addicts and clinicians stress the importance of spiritual issues in recovery, and 12-step programs such as AA are well-known approaches that embrace this philosophy. Holotropic Breathwork (HB) is another powerful, spiritually oriented approach to self-exploration and healing that integrates insights from modern consciousness research, anthropology, depth psychologies, transpersonal psychology, Eastern spiritual practices, and many mystical traditions. HB offers the addict many opportunities that may enhance addiction treatment, including entering non-ordinary states of consciousness to seek healing and wisdom via a natural, non-addictive method, a direct experience of one’s Higher Power, and for physical and emotional catharsis associated with stress and prior trauma. We report the successful use of HB in 4 cases in which complete abstinence was obtained and maintained for extended periods of time (2–19 years).

Meditation, Breath Work, And Focus Training For Teachers And Students - The Five Minutes A Day That Can Really Make A Difference

This paper is based on information researched and presented in a faculty development seminar for elementary teachers for use with students preparing for national testing to manage stress and increase attention focus. It reviews effects of stress on behavior, mood, and concentration; explains basics of breath work and meditation; provides meditation instructions in a simple and direct way; and describes how to use the techniques in the classroom. Statements from the principal, as well as workshop evaluations and follow up communications regarding the training, were very positive. It appears both teachers and students are receptive to the use of meditation, breath work, and focus training – the five minutes a day that can really make a difference for teachers and students.

Palliative Care in Health Emergencies: Tools for Planning (325)

Integrative palliative care encompasses whole person relationship-centered care using evidence-based conventional, complementary, and alternative approaches with an emphasis on health and healing. Goals of care include optimizing well-being and quality of life, relief of distressing symptoms, empowered decision making, support of caregivers, and effective life closure for a peaceful and meaningful dying and death. Integrative palliative medicine calls us to be creative and innovative in the care of dying patients expanding options to enhance healing maintain hope and improve well-being in a unique way for each individual. In one survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services provided by hospices, 60% of responding hospices offered such therapies. Constraints to providing complementary services were lack of funding, lack of staff time, lack of qualified complementary therapists, inadequate knowledge about theses services, and patient and staff resistance to complementary therapies. One hospice found innovative ways to overcome barriers to incorporating CAM therapies into their hospice care. Another study found that patients who received complementary therapies were more satisfied with their hospice services. Many cultural groups incorporate integrative practices into their care especially at end of life. This presentation will address cutting-edge evidence-based CAM therapies for palliative care and review the barriers to incorporating CAM therapies into palliative care, as well as ways to overcome these barriers in creative ways. It will also review the promotion of health healing and expanding options of whole person care in palliative medicine. Modalities reviewed will include massage movement, music, life story and reminiscing, acupuncture, botanicals, supplements, mind/ body therapies, breath work, guided imagery, etc. How these modalities augment conventional therapies will be reviewed.

High sensitive and rapid responsive n-type Si: Au sensor for monitoring breath rate

125 μm-breath sensor with high sensitivity and rapid response was prepared by using n-type Si: Au material. Its sensitivity coefficient and time constant were 4 V.sec / L and 38 msec, respec-tively. Its working principle was based on ano- malous resistance effect, which not only increa- sed the sensitivity, but also reduced its time con-stant greatly. Its signal processing system can select the breath signals and work stably. Therefore, the small changes of breath system can be measured and, especially, patient’s breath rate can be monitored at a distance.

Together in a room to alleviate anxiety: Yoga breathing and psychotherapy

Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy are effective treatments for anxiety, especially when the body and its resources are part of the treatment. We will look at the powerful synergistic effect of talk therapy, combined with pranayama, (yoga breath work) to alleviate anxiety in the case of Julie, whose anxiety can be understood as a symptom of an attachment disorder. We will include a description and instructions for deergha swasam, a type of calming yoga breath.

Yoga Breathing, Meditation, and Longevity

Yoga breathing is an important part of health and spiritual practices in Indo-Tibetan traditions. Considered fundamental for the development of physical well-being, meditation, awareness, and enlightenment, it is both a form of meditation in itself and a preparation for deep meditation. Yoga breathing (pranayama) can rapidly bring the mind to the present moment and reduce stress. In this paper, we review data indicating how breath work can affect longevity mechanisms in some ways that overlap with meditation and in other ways that are different from, but that synergistically enhance, the effects of meditation. We also provide clinical evidence for the use of yoga breathing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and for victims of mass disasters. By inducing stress resilience, breath work enables us to rapidly and compassionately relieve many forms of suffering.

A journey of self‐discovery: an intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending primary schools

This study reports on an intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation delivered to young children with identified emotional and behavioural difficulties, and at risk of exclusion. Children (n = 126) were invited by the head teacher to participate in the Self‐discovery Programme (involving massage, yoga, breath work and relaxation) with parental consent. A total of 107 children aged 8–11 years were given consent by their parents to participate in the study and completed all measures. Children were allocated by the head teacher into the Control (n = 54) or Intervention (n = 53) Groups. The Control Group did not take part in the Self‐discovery Programme. Both groups continued to receive any additional support provided. Results indicate that children in the Intervention Group showed improvements in self‐confidence, social confidence, communication and contribution in the class. Children in the Intervention Group were noted by teachers to use skills learned on the Self‐discovery Programme during the school day.

Holotropic Breathwork: The Potential Role of a Prolonged, Voluntary Hyperventilation Procedure as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy

To pose the question of whether Holotropic Breathwork (HB), a prolonged, voluntary hyperventilation procedure, might be useful in treatment of common psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders. This is a hypothesis-posing paper pertaining to a potential novel treatment. The neurophysiology and psychology of hyperventilation are reviewed, including findings demonstrating that hyperventilation leads to significant changes in central nervous system activity as measured by various technological means. Preliminary evidence suggesting efficacy for HB is reviewed. A tentative biopsychologic hypothesis is offered, suggesting a potential mechanism that may underlie putative therapeutic effects of HB. Specifically, when HB is used in the context of ongoing psychotherapy, hyperventilation may facilitate generalized extinction of avoidance behaviors, resulting in therapeutic progress. Individuals high in trait absorption and social desirability who have failed to respond adequately to psychotherapy might be those most likely to respond to HB. Recommendations for future research directions examining the therapeutic potential of HB are offered. Further research using more sophisticated methodologies than have been used to date will be necessary in order to confirm or refute the hypothesis that HB may be useful in treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Yoga intervention for adults with mild-to-moderate asthma: a pilot study

Preliminary studies investigating yoga and breath work for treating asthma have been promising. Several randomized controlled trials have shown a benefit from yoga postures and breathing vs control, but the control in these cases involved no intervention other than usual care. This study advances the field by providing an active control. To determine the effectiveness and feasibility of a yoga and breath work intervention for improving clinical indices and quality of life in adults with mild-to-moderate asthma. A randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial was conducted between October 1, 2001, and March 31, 2003. Random assignment was made to either a 4-week yoga intervention that included postures and breath work or a stretching control condition. Outcome measures were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks and included the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, rescue inhaler use, spirometry, symptom diaries, and health care utilization. Sixty-two participants were randomized to the intervention and control groups, and 45 completed the final follow-up measures. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Significant within-group differences in postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and morning symptom scores were apparent in both groups at 4 and 16 weeks; however, no significant differences between groups were observed on any outcome measures. Iyengar yoga conferred no appreciable benefit in mild-to-moderate asthma. Circumstances under which yoga is of benefit in asthma management, if any, remain to be determined.

Inclusion of Alternative and Complementary Therapies in CACREP Training Programs

Given a heightened focus within the mental health profession on creative, complementary, and alternative practices, the authors surveyed CACREP programs with respect to their inclusion of such approaches in counselor training. For the purpose of this study, these approaches were designated as complementary and alternative methods (CAM) and defined as those therapeutic practices that fall outside of the established traditional realm of medical, psychiatric, and psychological practice (hypnotherapy, breath work, meditation, Qigong, Reiki, Thought Field Therapy, etc.). Sixty-two programs responded. Over half (54%) stated that they currently include these approaches in course offerings. This article includes a discussion of creativity, expressive arts, and energy psychology as they relate to complementary and alternative therapies in mental health and medicine.

Hypnosis Reduces Distress and Duration of an Invasive Medical Procedure for Children

Hypnosis Reduces Distress and Duration of an Invasive Medical Procedure for Children

Handbook of complementary and alternative therapies in mental health

Contributors. Preface. Part I: Overview S. Shannon, Introduction: The Emerging Paradigm. S. Shannon, Integration and Holism. Part II: Physical Modalities R.P. Lee, Cranial Osteopathy. R. D'Angelo, Aromatherapy. J. Settle, Diet and Essential Fatty Acids. J. Settle, Nutritional Supplements. Part III: Mind-Body Approaches D. Moss, Biofeedback. K. Lowenstein, Meditation and Self-Regulatory Techniques. J. Lake, Qigong. B. Sultanoff, Breath Work. Part IV: Spiritual Approaches J.R. Bonadonna, Therapeutic Touch. D. Benor, Spiritual Healing. E. Leskowitz, Medical Intuition. J. Wyker,Spiritual Psychotherapy. Part V: Modern Innovations W.M. Zangwill, J. Pearson, and P. Kosminsky, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). M. Fallon-Cyr and M. Fallon-Cyr, The Hakomi Method and Body-Centered Psychotherapies. M. Schupbach, Process Work. Part VI: Traditional Medical System H. Cass and J. Cott, Herbal Medicine. P. Bailey, Homeopathy. J. Motl, Acupuncture. J. Brooks, Ayurveda. Part VII: Other Approaches J.R. Graham-Pole, The Creative Arts: What Role Do They Play? B.A. Sultanoff, The Environment. J. Diamond, The Therapeutic Power of Music. Part VIII: Synthesis S. Shannon, Synthesis. Appendix. Index. Synthesis.

Altered States of Consciousness and Psychotherapy A Cross-Cultural Perspective

The main physiological and induced Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) are outlined, as well as methods of induction. The phenomenology of ASCs is described and related to psychopathology. A short commentary is given about ASCs used in some ethnopsychotherapies. Psychotherapies of Western origin using ASCs, especially hypnosis, Holotropic Breathwork, and Personalized Experiential Restructuralization Therapy (Past-Life/Regression Therapy) are outlined and discussed.

Changes in body equilibrium response caused by breathing. A posturographic study with visual feedback

Therapeutical methods involving holistic medicine are of increasing interest. The present study deals with the psychophysical breath work by Middendorf and examines whether it has an effect on reactions of the body's equilibrium system. Different optical patterns were projected on a video screen to the test subject standing on a modified posturographic platform. Subjects were instructed to shift their center of gravity according to the patterns projected on the video screen. The patterns consisted of a line that had to be followed in the anterior-posterior and in the lateral plane, and of a circle which had to be followed clockwise and counterclockwise. Three groups each consisting of 17 healthy persons were tested; group 1: advanced in breath training, group 2: beginners in breath training, group 3: no experience in breath work at all. Group 1 und 2 show significantly better results in the posturographic test with visual feedback than subjects without experience in breast work (group 3). Furthermore, posturographic results immediately after one hour of breath work reveal clear improvements in the body equilibrium. Psychophysical breath work by Middendorf leads to a general improvement of the body equilibrium which is stable over time. The positive results of this study lead to the assumption that breath work by Middendorf is a valuable method for treatment and rehabilitation of balance disorders.

Holotropic breathwork: An experiential approach to psychotherapy.

The study investigated the relationship between the use ofHolotropic Breathwork and therapeutic changes in levels of distress associated with selfidentified problems, death anxiety, selfesteem, and sense of affiliation with others. Two groups of 24 subjects were compared using a repeated measures design. One group participated in a combination of experientially oriented psychotherapy plus six monthly sessions ofHolotropic Breathwork (Breathwork Group); the second group participated only in experientially oriented psychotherapy (Therapy Group). Dependent measures were Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, the Abasement and Affiliation subscales of the Personality Research Form-E, and a questionnaire regarding self-identified problems. The Breathwork Group showed significant reductions in death anxiety and increases in self-esteem compared to the Therapy Group. No significant differences were observed between groups on affiliation or self-identified problems. Results suggest that experiential approaches to psychotherapy may be useful in

Imposed breathing pattern alters respiratory work during exercise.

Previous studies have shown the existence of an ideal respiratory rate (fR) for a given ventilation at which the respiratory work rate (J.s-1) is minimum. The purpose of the present study was to measure the effect of fR, tidal volume and breathing pattern on the respiratory work per breath and respiratory work rate during exercise on a cycle ergometer. Three work rates on the cycle ergometer were used and at each work rate the ventilation was kept constant. Two different breathing patterns were applied at each ventilation. Nine male trained cyclists [mean (SD) maximum oxygen consumption, 57 (5.47) ml.kg-1.min-1] participated in this study. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the respiratory work per breath, with different breathing patterns at a given ventilation and for all levels of ventilation. There was no significant difference in the respiratory work rate with different breathing patterns at a given ventilation and for all levels of ventilation. In addition, the respiratory work per breath and respiratory work rate were increased with increasing ventilation. Thus, the data indicated that the manipulation of tidal volume, respiratory rate and breathing pattern had no significant effect on the energy cost of breathing for a given ventilation. The absence of this significant effect on respiratory work rate was observed across a range of ventilation from 24 to 72 l.min-1. These findings suggest that the breathing pattern is predominantly an expression of the function of the higher respiratory brain center instead of energy economy, at least within this range of ventilation.