Pranayama and Therapeutic Breathwork
Pranayama is the yogic science of breath and energy control. It consists of a series of themed breathing techniques intended to keep the body and mind in healthy harmony.
Across many traditions and centuries, the breath has been recognised as a means of enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Although originally a sacred practice, in contemporary times, pranayama is used by anyone who wishes to access relaxation and wellness.
Besides the physical benefits of pranayama, some scholars believe it is the only means of achieving an elevated state of enlightenment and the yogic state of samadhi. Consequently, practising consistently is considered a crucial prerequisite for meditation and for achieving inner stillness.
Prana means energy, life force or breath in Sanskrit, and yama is translated as restraint or control. The word pranayama is therefore roughly akin to breathing techniques, and it is a core facet of a robust and complete yoga practice.
In Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, pranayama is placed in the fourth position, between asana (posture) and pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). This practice is essential for the limbs of dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation).
Alongside asana, pranayama is the highest form of purification, preparation and self-discipline for the mind and the body. Its role is to measure, control and direct the breath and our vital energy (prana) to facilitate inward movement into the subtle body. This leads to the state of meditation and consequently to the quieting of all thoughts, samadhi.
What can Pranayama do for me?
By exploring breathing techniques, we can learn to locate and connect with the breath, understand its anatomy and mechanism, find the rhythm of our breath, and understand how energy moves through our bodies. It improves our relationship with our breathing patterns, inducing calm and relaxation and, in turn, helping us find a pathway to peace.
This exploration takes time and can be complex. Therefore, the study of pranayama needs to be done in a methodical and considerate way. Pranayama, taught the right way, is led with subtlety and curiosity. When we learn in a calm, respectful manner, the results are more effective because we are in the right state of mind to engage with concepts such as inner stillness.
Can it be used as a therapeutic tool?
Traditional yoga teaches that the breath is a bridge between the body and the mind, with significant effects on both. The spiritual qualities of the breath induce relaxation, stability, and balance.
Nowadays, beyond their spiritual purposes, breathing techniques play important therapeutic roles in our lives and have become crucial components of our efforts to maintain physical and mental health.
Working with the breath properly can have positive effects on a wide variety of ailments. For example, Laurent offers pranayama for anxiety, insomnia and cancer sufferers.
What are the therapeutic benefits of Pranayama and Breathwork?
- Indispensable tools that help us build a safe and strong physical practice, yogic or non-yogic
- Decreases feelings of stress and tension
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Soothes the nervous system
- Aids muscle relaxation and pain management
- Helps oxidise the blood and enhance the respiratory system
- Helps to control and change the levels of O2 and CO2 to influence body functions
- Supports the healthy function of the lymphatic, urinary, excretory, digestive, immune, circulatory and endocrine systems
- Slows down the heart rate and enhances the cardiovascular system
- Increases energy levels and supports the immune system
- Lowers and stabilises blood pressure
- Supports the management of breathlessness caused by pulmonary diseases and asthma
- Supports the management of insomnia and sleeping disorders
- Supports the mind and body during challenging illnesses and treatment
- Develops body awareness, concentration, mindfulness, focus and stamina
- Supports and leads to meditation, Yoga Nidra and deep relaxation
Laurent's breathing teachings combine ancient wisdom with contemporary insight. His pranayama and breathwork group and private classes are designed to be practical, easy to understand, and supportive in the long term.
His step-by-step approach makes his classes popular with students at all levels, from complete beginners with no previous experience to yoga teachers seeking to deepen their practice and knowledge.
If you want to learn to teach pranayama and breathwork professionally, the 60-hour and 100-hour training programmes are a good place to start.