Try Our Favorite Breathwork Method
If you missed our previous article about why you need breathwork in your life, be sure to go back and read it for the reason behind this method we are sharing with you today.
There are plenty of different breathwork methods to try, and you should always go with the one that works best for you.
However, if you are new to breathwork and aren’t sure where to start, we think a great option is the Wim Hof Method. This method is wildly popular amongst not breathwork newbies, but also seasoned practitioners who have been doing this for a long time.
It’s quite simple and something you can get the hang of quickly to do on your own. Or, if you’d rather, you can use Wim Hof’s YouTube video to guide you each time you do the breathwork. Today, we are walking you through the steps of how to do this breathwork so you can get some of the great benefits.
Wim Hof Method
From the Wim Hof website:
The amount of oxygen that we inhale through our breathing, influences the amount of energy that is released into our body cells. On a molecular level, this progresses via various chemical and physiological processes. Breathing is the easiest and most instrumental part of the autonomic nervous system to control and navigate. In fact, the way you breathe strongly affects the chemical and physiological activities in your body. Throughout the years, Wim Hof has developed special breathing exertions that keep his body in optimal condition and in complete control in the most extreme conditions. The breathing technique is first and foremost premised on inhaling deeply and exhaling without any use of force!
As you can see, this breathwork has actual scientific benefits, so you have no excuse not to try it.
Here’s how.
How to Practice the Wim Hof Breathing Method
The best time to perform this breathwork is in the morning after you wake up or before a meal. It works best if your stomach is empty. And always make sure that you are sitting or laying down, not driving or operating any kind of machinery.
STEP 1
You begin the process by getting comfortable. For you, this may mean sitting cross-legged, or it may mean laying down – whatever makes you the most comfortable.
STEP 2
Close your eyes, clear your mind as much as possible, and try to connect with your breath. Pay attention to how it feels as you inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.
Inhale fully to fill your belly, and then up to your chest like a wave. Then, breathe out through your mouth.
Repeat this wave in and out of deep breaths 30-40 times in quick bursts. You may find yourself getting lightheaded or dizzy during this, and that is okay.
STEP 3
After the last breath, inhale one more time, as deeply as possible. Let the air out and stop breathing. Hold your breath here for at least 1 minute.
STEP 4
After at least a minute or more when you feel the need to breathe again, take one deep breath in to completely fill your lungs. When you’ve reached the maximum capacity for your breath, hold it in for about 15 seconds and then breathe out.
That is the end of round number 1.
You will repeat steps 1-4 either 3 or 4 times without taking a break.
Note how different you feel once completing this breathwork, and we are almost willing to guarantee that you’ll be back for more.