History & Styles of Breathwork

 

Written by Nigel Ford - Copyright August 8, 2020

What is Breathwork? 

Breathwork is a term used to describe a variety of therapeutic practices that involve the breath. Breathwork has been in use throughout recorded history and quite likely was used for many years before.

There are many different types of breathwork, each with its own unique application. Some of the uses of breathwork include:

• Promoting relaxation and reducing stress

• Helping with chronic pain

• Managing anger and irritability

• Helping fight depression and anxiety

• Encouraging the acceptance and overcoming of trauma, grief, and loss

• Working through the emotional discomfort of illness

Understanding the differences between the types of breathwork is important as this allows you to decide which form of breathwork would be best suited for your current needs. Learning about the origins and history of breathwork can also be useful for helping one develop a clear picture of this interesting practice.

History of Breathwork

It is difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint the origins of breathwork.

 

Breathwork almost certainly has its origins as a spiritual practice. Many ancient disciplines, practices and spiritual traditions have placed the breath at the center of our connection to the spiritual world.(1)  According to Ken Wilber, meditation facilitated with breathwork is the only practice that has been scientifically proven to accelerate spiritual growth. (2)

While it is likely that shamanic breathwork has been practiced by numerous tribes for millennia prior to the advent of recorded history, we must focus instead on the written records of historical breathwork.

The oldest written records are those which referred to the origins of the Indian practice of yoga, which is believed to have originated in the pre-Ayuran Harappa culture in the Indus Valley sometime between 3000-1500 BCE.

A central focus in yoga is the idea of prana, an omnipresent life force that stimulates growth and well-being. Prana can be absorbed through food and through sunlight but is first and foremost drawn in through the breath.

As such, breath control was very important to the ancient yogis and remains so to this day. The first references of Pranayama (literally breath control)  were observed in the Upanishads around 700 BCE, and Pranayama continued to develop as the science of yoga was honed and refined through the early part of the first millenium CE.

Qi Gong is a practice that originated in China around 2000 BCE which places similar importance on the breath. (3) Much like prana, qi is believed to be a universal life force which permeates all living things. Control of one’s breath gives them control over the qi that they can absorb.

The development of Qi Gong followed a similar trajectory as that of Pranayama, developing among different paths until aspects of the practice were picked up by the Buddhists in the 7th century AD.

The Taoist traditions, whose most well-known proponent is Lao Tzu (ca. 400 BCE), also described the use of various meditative exercises involving the control of the breath.

It was not until the early 19th century, when these practices were brought to the attention of the Western world, that we began to develop the modern, contemporary forms of breathwork that we see today. 

By fusing together different breathwork practices, present-day practitioners were able to develop more particular forms of breathwork useful for specific purposes. Contemporary breathwork, that is, breathwork in the modern world, is largely a fusion of various ancient practices.

Contemporary Breathwork

Contemporary breathwork was introduced at the turn of the 19th century.

Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957), a pioneering psychoanalyst who gained notoriety for his development of the orgone accumulator device, also introduced a form of therapy that he called Vegitotherapy. This type of therapy blended breathwork with psychoanalysis, deep tissue massage and various movements. (4)

Alexander Lowen (1910-2008) was another esteemed psychiatrist who encouraged the combination of breathwork and movement in his practice. (5)

While these pioneers brought breathwork to the West, breathwork didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 1960s when the mainstream took onto the idea of raising consciousness through holistic methods.

Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav Grof (1931-present) during this period, was designed to combine rigorous breathwork and loud music to encourage the release of stored memories and beliefs that could be contributing to trauma or unhealthy behavior(6).

Rebirthing breathwork, developed at a similar era, helped to bring breathwork not just into mainstream focus but to psychiatric attention. Since the 70s, contemporary breathwork therapy has become more and more popular, leading to the myriad styles and models of breathwork available to us today.

Uses of Breathwork

The many styles of breathwork demonstrate the variety of different applications of the practice. Each practice can be used for a number of different purposes. Some may be more useful than others. 

Some of the most popular uses of breathwork include:

• Treatment of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma

• Managing the difficulties associated with chronic illness

• Improving quality of life and general well-being

• Increasing spiritual well-being

• Working through grief

• Improving life skills

• Enhancing immunity

These are just some of the many benefits attributed to breathwork. The specific type of breathwork can have a notable impact on its efficacy, and science does not always agree with anecdotal reports in regard to the usefulness of breathwork for certain conditions.

Different Models/Styles of Breathwork in Australia

Holotropic Breathwork 

The word holotropic means moving toward wholeness, a combination of the Greek words holo (whole) and trepein (moving towards). As such, Holotropic Breathwork is a form of breathwork designed to help bring people closer towards a complete and holistic understanding of themselves.

The practice, developed by psychologist Stanislov Grof following the criminalization of LSD in the late 1960s, was originally created because Grof believed that the various therapeutic and psychologically transformative states of mind produced by psychedelics could be recreated by structured use of breath. (7)

Features 

The process of Holotropic Breathwork is quite simple. It involves a combination of accelerated breathing and evocative music that encourages the release or surfacing of various memories, emotions, or information stored in the subconscious.

Holotropic Breathwork focuses on helping to expand the ‘cartography of the psyche,’ a concept developed by Grof in 1988.(8) It is in this transpersonal dimension of the human psyche where Grof believes that the most powerful and significant transformations occur.

Holotropic Breathwork is generally offered to groups, though one-on-one sessions are also possible. Holotropic Breathwork aims to identify what each individual practitioner needs to work on, and as such as no specific client focus. 

In her book, The Breathwork Experience: Exploration and Healing in Nonordinary States of Consciousness, Kylea Taylor relates the experiences of Holotropic Breathwork participants and their success in working through various issues, particularly trauma recovery. (9)

Rebirthing Breathwork

Rebirthing Breathwork, a practice begun by Leonard Orr, is also referred to as Conscious Energy Breathing. In her book Being Born - Breath & Inspiration (2003), Robyn Fernance, owner of the Rebirthing Training Center known as Inner Connection, acknowledges that the trauma of birth can interfere with the way that we learn, perform, and build relationships later in life. (10)

Features 

Rebirthing Breathwork focuses on a trauma shared among all human beings: the trauma of birth. Sessions are led by trained instructors who take you through a practice of circular breathing - quick, shallow breaths - for up to two hours. 

This is said to encourage a buildup and release of emotions or stored traumas which interfere with our ability to perform.

.

Conscious energy breathing is generally offered one-on-one or two-on-one. 

Clarity Breathwork

Clarity Breathwork expanded from Rebirthing Breathwork as an effort to acknowledge an entire lifetime of experiences rather than just those of birth. Brought forward by Leonard Orr and further developed by Sondra Ray, Clarity Breathwork is a process that is said to work by opening the subconscious and improving self-awareness.he therapy was developed by 

Features 

Clarity Breathwork is a gentle form of breathwork designed to help bring about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. Rebirthing in the New Age (2007), co-authored by both Orr and Ray, explains how Clarity Breathwork works in conjunction with positive affirmations to produce a balancing effect in a person’s emotional health. (11)

BioDynamic Breathwork

Short for the BioDynamic Breath and Trauma Release System, BioDynamic Breathwork is among the more integrative types of breathwork available. Developed by Giten Tonkov, author of Feel to Heal - Releasing Trauma Through Body Awareness and Breathwork Practice, BioDynamic Breathwork aims to help people overcome emotional barriers and difficulties. (12)

Features 

BioDynamic Breathwork integrates breath, movement, sound, touch, emotion, and meditation to create a holistic system for mind-body healing. The primary focus of BioDynamic Breathwork is to release trauma stored in both the physical and mental parts of the body.

Integrative Breathwork

Integrative Breathwork is a technique that was developed by Jacquelyn Small, a student and colleague of Stan Grof, the pioneer behind the Holotropic Breathwork model. Known fully as Eupsychia Integrative Breathwork, Integrative Breathwork is the product of the Eupsychia Institute which was founded by Small.

Features 

Integrative Breathwork shares many similarities with Holotropic Breathwork, relying heavily on evocative music in addition to circular breathwork to induce altered states of consciousness.  

However, Integrative Breathwork places a greater focus on vocal toning, movement, and physical facilitating (such as the use of acupressure points or bodywork) to encourage surrender and to help move stuck emotions and memories.

Small’s Integrative Breathwork also has more spiritual overtones. Many of Small’s books - including Becoming a Practical Mystic and Embodying Spirit: Coming Alive With Meaning and Purpose - reflect her spiritual priorities. (13) (14)

Some notable practitioners, such as Dana Shamas - founder of Bayou Bliss Yoga in Houston, Texas - encourage the use of Integrative Breathwork as a tool for developing a connection to your higher, spiritual self and strengthening the powers of intuition. (15)

Shamanic Breathwork

Shamanic Breathwork is a trademarked tool designed to facilitate altered states of consciousness, and may or may not reflect the original breathwork used by shamans in tribal societies across the globe.

Designed and trademarked by Linda Star Wolf of Venus Rising Association for Transformations, the process is described as one which “honors and blends the timeless wisdom of ancient traditions with the emerging new paradigm methods of healing and teaching.” (16)

Features 

The trademarked practice is designed to Awaken the Shaman WithinTM, and will be led by trained facilitators who use music that is supposedly tuned to the body’s chakras. Shamanic Breathwork is generally done in a group setting with at least 3 facilitators present for each breathwork session.

Vivation

Vivation is supposed to be a physically pleasurable form of breathwork and meditation. Much like other forms of breathwork, Vivation aims to help practitioners acknowledge and overcome suppressed emotions and memories,

Created by Jim Leonard in 1979, Vivation is the integration of a number of different practices learned by Leonard during his travels of the world.

Features 

Vivation combines a number of ancient practices in its core.

• Pranayama, the Yogic form of breathwork

• Tantra, an ancient form of energy movement and embodiment

• Meditation, the development of awareness.

Vivation places emphasis on developing an awareness of feelings - be they physical sensations or emotions - and less focus on stilling the mind.

Vivation therapy shares a number of similarities to Rebirthing Breathwork. In fact, Leonard’s book, Vivation: The Science of Enjoying All of Your Life is a retitled version of his earlier book, Rebirthing: The Science of Enjoying All of Your Life. (17)

Zen Yoga Breathwork

Zen Yoga Breathwork is a combination of Zen meditation and pranayama, or Yogic breathwork.

Features 

Zen meditation is a practice that alleges to produce harmony between the faculties of mind (thinking), soul (feeling), and body. By clearing your mind and placing your attention on the various movements of the body through asana, you can learn to synchronize the mental, emotional, and physical components of your being.

Transformational Breathwork

Developed by Dr. Judith Kravitz, head of the Transformational Breath Foundation, Transformational Breath is a combination of conscious breathwork and healing practices acquired over several years of studying counselling.

Features 

Transformation Breath is alleged to help people cope with mental illnesses, emotional traumas, and physical pain. Transformational Breath is one of the few forms of breathwork that has been specifically studied.

One study, conducted in an Italian hospital, revealed that patients with respiratory illnesses improved their oxygen capacity by up to 85% by using transformational breathwork. Another study, published by breathwork facilitator Helmut Pfeil, reported that 57% of patients found a significant improvement to their well-being after 6 sessions. (18)(19)

Conflicts Faced by Breathwork Practitioners

Breathwork is a healing modality revered by many. However, it also faces a number of challenges and conflicts. Understanding the conflicts faced by breathwork practitioners is important if these practices are going to build a more stable foothold in the mainstream therapeutic world.

Lack of Validated Research

One of the main reasons that certain forms of breathwork haven’t made it into the mainstream is because of the lack of validated research.

Large numbers of people and professionals are hesitant to experiment with anything aside from evidence-based medicine (EBM): that which has been rigorously tested and verified by the scientific community. Much of the focus in psychology, then, is directed towards evidence-based approaches. (20)

Non evidence-based approaches, on the other hand, are not nearly as popular and are often considered only when other, evidence-based approaches have been tried. (21)

Some forms of breathwork are more established than others. Transformational Breathwork has been subjected to a number of small-scale studies that prove it to be at least somewhat effective. (19)

One thing to note is that specific types of breathwork often rely on the evidence supporting control of the breath. Science has repeatedly acknowledged that breath control can be beneficial for health and well-being. (22) However, the specific variations among different breathwork practices may influence these results.

Lack of Understanding and Support

Another challenge faced by breathwork and breathwork practitioners is a lack of understanding and support, both on the part of governments and the general population.

This has led to a lack of funding for the development of breathwork programs and studies. The lack of studies amounts to a lack of evidence, which leads to hesitation among the people considering breathwork.

Furthermore, it can be very difficult  for individuals to acquire funding or insurance for breathwork programs. Across the globe, and especially in America, it is notoriously difficult for patients to find an insurance company that will cover mental health practices. (23) 

Since breathwork is most often applied in regard to psychotherapy, many individuals find themselves facing a financial barrier when seeking professionally-guided breathwork treatment.

Community Understanding and Perception

Another challenge faced by breathwork practitioners is the publicly-held belief that breathwork is woo, a form of spiritual or esoteric mumbo-jumbo that upholds no real benefit. 

Those who hold this sort of belief are often swayed by scientific evidence, and while evidence in support of breathwork is compiling there are many areas still open to discussion. The lack of conclusive evidence has encouraged many people to remain skeptical or even opposed to the use of breathwork for health purposes.

Evidence continues to amount, however, and a review of Yogic breathwork notes that many studies seem to agree on the varied and effective usefulness of breathing practice. (24) What was once considered esoteric nonsense is becoming regarded as a valid and effective medical practice.

Combining Breathwork With Other Practices

Breath control may be more effective when combined with other therapeutic or medical practices.

For example, research indicates that breathwork when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be especially effective for managing symptoms of depression. (25)

Breathwork is often offered as an additional practice to help complement other therapeutic or medical practices. Different forms of breathwork can also be combined to produce different effects.

Conclusion

Breathwork is a fascinating practice, rich in history. Despite geographical separation, many cultures from around the globe have developed and honed different breathwork practices. Scholars, both modern and ancient, agree that control of the breath is important for the regulation of good health.

Modern breathwork combines a variety of ancient practices, employing them to help people find harmony and restore health to their mind and body. Just decades ago, breathwork was considered a fringey, spiritualist practice. Recent scientific evidence, however, supports the idea of breathwork as a valid and useful therapeutic practice.

1. Minett, G. (2004). Exhale: An overview of Breathwork. Floris Books.

2. Wilber, K. (2006). Integral spirituality: A startling new role for religion in the modern and postmodern world. Shambhala Publications.

3. (n.d.). NETA, National Exercise Trainers Association - Fitness Professionals. https://www.netafit.org/wp-content/uploads/9232-preview.pdf

4. Reich, W. (2013). Character analysis. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

5. Lowen, A. (1975). Bioenergetics.

6.Grof, S. (2019). Psychology of the future: Lessons from modern consciousness research. SUNY Press. 

7. Cortright, B. (1997). Psychotherapy and spirit: Theory and practice in transpersonal psychotherapy. SUNY Press.

8. Grof, S. (1988). The adventure of self-discovery: Dimensions of consciousness and new perspectives in psychotherapy and inner exploration. SUNY Press.

9. Taylor, K. (1994). The Breathwork experience: Exploration and healing in Nonordinary states of consciousness. Hanford Mead Pub.

10.Fernance, R. (2003). Being born: How your birth affects your learning performance lifestyle and relationships.

11. Orr, L. (2007). Rebirthing in the new age.

12. Tonkov, G. (2019). Feel to heal: Releasing trauma through body awareness and Breathwork practice.

13. Small, J. (2013). Becoming a practical mystic: Creating purpose for our spiritual future. Quest Books.

14, Small, J. (1991). Awakening in time: The journey from Codependence to Co-creation. Bantam.

15. Holotropic vs. Intergrative Breathwork. (2018, April 6). Bayou Bliss Yoga. https://bayoublissyoga.com/holotropic-vs-intergrative-breathwork/

16. What is shamanic Breathwork? — BREATHWORK with Sami. (n.d.). BREATHWORK WITH SAMI. https://www.wildness.one/what-is-shamanic-breathwork

17. Leonard, J., & Laut, P. (1983). Rebirthing: The science of enjoying all of your life. Trinity Publishing House.

18.UNA NUOVA ESPERIENZA NEL TRATTAMENTO DELLA BRONCOPNEUMOPATIA CRONICA OSTRUTTIVA: IPOTESI E VERIFICA (Minogone, A. 2001) https://www.transformationalbreath.com/docs/copd-study.pdf

19. Transformational Breath® Home, Einfluss einer Atemtechnik auf das körperliche und seelische Wohlbefinden (Pfeil, H., 2015)  https://www.transformationalbreath.com/docs/pfeil-study.pdf

20.Cook, S. C., Schwartz, A. C., & Kaslow, N. J. (2017). Evidence-based psychotherapy: Advantages and challenges. Neurotherapeutics, 14(3), 537-545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-017-0549-4

21. Howe, E. et. al (2009). Using Nonevidence-based Approaches to Treat Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

, 6(3), 18-23.

22. Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

23.Lake, J. (2017). Urgent need for improved mental health care and a more collaborative model of care. The Permanente Journal. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/17-024

24.Saoji, A. A., Raghavendra, B., & Manjunath, N. (2019). Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 50-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.008

25. Chien, H., Chung, Y., Yeh, M., & Lee, J. (2015). Breathing exercise combined with cognitive behavioural intervention improves sleep quality and heart rate variability in major depression. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(21-22), 3206-3214. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12972