What Is Breathwork and Its Benefits?

There is a long history of breathing practices which predate the common era having been written about in sacred tests which include Bhagavad Gita, Hathapradipika, Upanishads and Yoga Sutras.

In the 1900s, breathing practices were established as a small but important part of many yoga styles that have served as the basis for most of the contemporary classes found around the world. 

This is the Sanskrit term for yoga breathing. Prana means “life force”and yama means “extension” or “control”. Therefore the practice of pranayama involves controlling and extending the breath. Pranayama is the 4th limb on the 8 limbed Ashtanga path, coming after asanas (poses) and before meditation. It is presented as a gateway practice towards transcendence.

In the 2000s, breathing practices have grown in popularity, predominantly outside the context of yoga and often with a single benefit as the focus. Popular breathing styles include Apnea training, Wim Hof breathing, Buteyko breathing, Holotropic breathing, Kundalini and relaxation breathing.