Breath to improve your health and wellbeing

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Why Breathwork is so effective

Breathwork directly influences your autonomic nervous system, shifting your body from stress (sympathetic mode) into rest, repair, and recovery (parasympathetic mode). This shift has measurable effects on nearly every system in the body:

  • Lowers blood pressure and heart rate

  • Improves oxygen efficiency and supports cellular metabolism

  • Reduces inflammation and supports immune function

  • Improves digestion by restoring parasympathetic activity

  • Enhances sleep quality by calming the stress response

  • Supports hormonal balance, especially cortisol and melatonin

  • Relieves muscular tension and promotes natural pain relief

When practiced regularly and correctly, breathwork can help rebalance the body’s internal systems, support recovery from stress-related conditions, and enhance overall vitality and resilience.

Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT)

In many of our breath sessions, we include breath holds. This often leads to a temporary state called Intermittent Hypoxia—a brief, controlled reduction of oxygen (O₂) and increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the blood.

While this may sound counterintuitive, short periods of low oxygen have been shown to trigger beneficial adaptive responses in the body. (There are even specialized machines used in sports and rehabilitation settings to mimic this effect.)

Potential Benefits of IHT

Intermittent Hypoxic Training has been associated with:

  • Improved mitochondrial function and energy production

  • Enhanced athletic performance and endurance

  • Better regulation of blood pressure

  • Support for lung and respiratory health

  • Relief from asthma and chronic bronchitis symptoms

  • Better mood regulation (anxiety and depression support)

  • Increased iron absorption and support for anemia

  • Boosted vitality and reduced fatigue

When to Avoid IHT

While IHT, which means breath holds, is safe for most people, it is not recommended in the following cases unless under medical supervision. The rhythmical breathing part is good for everyone so this is when to avoid the breath hold part of the breathwork:

Key Contraindications:

Cardiovascular Problems: Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), heart arrhythmias, pacemaker use, or recent heart attack.

  • Respiratory Conditions: Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (II & III) or any acute respiratory distress.

  • Pregnancy: Intense breathwork is generally discouraged during pregnancy.

  • Neurological Conditions: Epilepsy, as breath holds/hyperventilation can potentially trigger seizures.

  • Acute Illness: Any acute viral or somatic illness with fever.

  • Severe/Terminal Illness: Organ failure, late-stage cancer (unless under strict medical guidance).

  • Individual Intolerance: If you experience severe discomfort or intolerance to oxygen deprivation. 

Important Considerations:

  • Gentle vs. Intense: SOMA Breath has gentle rhythmic breathing, but the rare intense parts (forceful mouth breathing, long breath holds, intense hyperventilation) are what carry risks, so listen to your body.

  • Medical Supervision: For any significant health condition, especially heart or respiratory issues, always consult a doctor before practicing intense breathwork.

  • Avoid Aggravation: Conditions like hernias or tinnitus might be aggravated by breath holds, requiring careful technique.