Breathwork is a healing modality that offers a number of life-boosting benefits.

Here are three different types and how to try each.

People were convulsing, shouting, and sobbing uncontrollably, she saidand she couldnt wait to do it again.

alt

Losing control of my emotions and bodily functions among a group of strangers?

The top 3 health benefits of breathwork

1.

It reduces stress in the body.

Collage graphic of the best shoes for standing all day according to nurses, with the top pick being FIGS New Balance 3447 Zip shoes in gray, black, and white against a pink and orange background

Mindful breathing can alsoreduce the size of the amygdala, which promotes stress reduction effects.

It helps manage depression.

Many people who seek out breathwork often deal with depression or anxiety, Lilia says.

close up of person drinking a green smoothie that may cause their poop to be green

Breathwork can also be used as a way to help treat PTSD.

It can help to reduce inflammation.

Active breathing has been shown to reduce levels ofpro-inflammatory biomarkersin saliva.

alt

Emotions can also bubble up.

Breathwork helps you feel more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

It encourages you to let go of being in control and surrendering to the present moment.

cup of matcha green tea sitting on a wooden ledge

Heres Exactly How It Can Affect Your Poop

3 different breathwork styles

1.

Essentially you get into a really deep and vivid meditation.

Wim Hof method

TheWim Hof methodcan be an effective breathwork technique whenever you need an energy boost.

LOS ANGELES - FEB 10: Patrick Schwarzenegger at the White Lotus Season 3 Premiere at Paramount Studios on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA

To practice it, Lilia instructs taking short, quick inhales and exhales for 30 counts.

Then, hold your breath for 15 seconds and repeat the breath pattern for another 30 counts.

This surge of oxygen into your body is releasing more energy into your cells, Lilia says.

Woman drinking a protein meal replacement shake in the kitchen

Its normal to feel tingly and more alert.

Pranayama

Pranayama, or yogic breathing, has been around for thousands of years in yoga and meditation practices.

Neeses breathwork method is a blend of yogic pranayama and hands-on energy healing.

She says stress is a major reason why people seek her out.

I feel like breathwork is the last house on the block.

People are like, Ive tried therapy; Ive tried this and that, and Im still stuck.

But Ive also had clients who are overwhelmed by group energy.

They come to see me privately, and theyre able to move things differently.

(Most people take short, shallow breaths into their chests, which causes neck and shoulder tension).

She prescribes breathing patterns based on her clients needs.

About 10 minutes in, my jaw completely locked up.

My arms and legs turned to concrete.

It took about 10 more minutes before I was able to move or speak again.

I couldnt unclench my hands to release the selenite, no matter how hard I tried.

According to Neese, what I was feeling was stagnant energy moving through my body.

As for the heaviness around my diaphragm, Neese says thesolar plexus is all about emotional protection.

This is our most vulnerable area, and thats why we tend to tense it up.

Neese suspects my lockjaw may have indicated an imbalance in the throat chakra, which governs self-expression.

Its possible you could be communicating more, she says.

Given my resistance to being vulnerable and habit of avoiding difficult conversations, these assessments were pretty spot-on.

Still, I wanted to know more about the science behind what I experienced.

And, with the right guidance, whynottry it?

All it takes is some breathing in and breathing out.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.