Understanding the Importance of Breathing
- drpizzatto
- Apr 26
- 6 min read
Introduction
The psychologist, Maslow (1943), postulated a hierarchy of growth and survival needs extending from physiological, safety, belongingness and love to self-esteem and self-actualization needs. Concerning physiological needs, we have breathing, sleep, water, food, etc. Breathing is not only responsible for supporting life, but it has also been regarded as the bridge between the mind and body, and although there are still unknown aspects to explain what gives rise to consciousness (Kock, 2008), it is well understood the connection between consciousness and breathing (Nair, 2007). “Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” (Hanh, (1975,1976), p15).
Breath Throughout History
In ancient societies, breath and the act of breathing held immense significance within the realms of ritual, spirituality, and the pursuit of healing. Diverse cultures across various epochs of history employed a multitude of breathing techniques, to induce holotropic states of consciousness for healing and spiritual devotion (Grof & Grof, 2010). The words many languages use for breath reflect the view that breath is seen as a crucial link between the material world, the human body, the psyche, and the spirit. In ancient India, the term prana meant physical breath and also the sacred essence of life. In traditional Chinese medicine, the word qi or chi refers to both the cosmic essence and the energy of life, and also the air we breathe into our lungs. In Japan, the equivalent word is ki a fundamental element in martial arts and Japanese spiritual practices. In ancient Greece, breath was closely related to the psyche, and the word pneuma had several meanings such as air, breath, spirit and the essence of life (Grof & Grof, 2010). Ancient Egyptians realized that breath carries life with it as a force they called Ka, and Ancient African tradition has long recognized the vital aspects of breathing in such a concept as umoya (Edwards 2008).
Throughout millennia, humans have witnessed and noted that the journey of human life on Earth commences with a newborn's inaugural breath, typically extending for countless inhalations and concluding with a final, momentous clavicular breath. An individual's lifespan may encompass roughly 100 million inhalations and exhalations (Edwards 2008).
As the study and use of the breath, breath psychology is an ancient applied science (Edwards 2008). Breath psychotherapy involves harnessing the power of breath in the therapy and healing of the psyche. Throughout history, various spiritual, wisdom, and healing traditions have lauded this approach to healing based on breath. These traditions, including ancestor veneration, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, and Islam, have consistently emphasized the interconnectedness of breath, consciousness, energy, and spirit. They view breath as the essential bridge between the body and the mind, a force that departs a person at death and persists in another form (Edwards 2011).
Conscious breathing
This breath-energy is usually unconscious. Conscious breathing (CB) is typically experienced as a form of vitality flowing within and without the body in a continuous exchange with the wider human and non-human environment (Edwards 2008). CB refers to a number of breathing techniques (Grof, 1988; Taylor, 1994). There is some variance in the specific breathing techniques promoted within schools of breathwork (e.g., holotropic breathwork). In some instances, particular types of breath are prescribed for the breather. In others, one is simply encouraged to breathe more deeply and fully and more quickly in a sustained manner (Young, et all 2010).
Modern authors and practitioners promoted a variety of forms of breath psychotherapy (Edwards 2011). Beginning with Wilhelm Reich, a protege of Freud, it is worth noting his fascination with the connection between breath and the psyche—a concept already deeply ingrained in Eastern philosophies, but largely foreign to the Western European culture of Reich's era. He originated the notion of 'character armour,' habitual patterns of breath holding and muscle tension which prevent conscious attention against threatening emotions by blocking both expression and awareness – a defensive coping mechanism. Therefore, breathing, muscle tension, movement and changes in posture, were the source of information to understand clients’ conflicts over core emotional matters such as single traumas, but also repetitive patterns of interaction that suppressed free expression. This valuable understanding of emotional inputs to bodily dysfunction, particularly the breathing and muscular systems, has been incorporated into several modern therapies (Gilbert, 1999).
Breathing and Western societies
Recently, breathwork has been capturing the public's interest and gaining popularity in Western societies, largely attributed to its claimed positive impacts on health and overall well-being (Nestor, 2020). Breathwork comprises various practices which encompass conscious control and manipulation of one's breathing patterns to promote physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being (Oxford English Dictionary).
In Holotropic Breathwork (HB), consciousness is changed by a combination of faster breathing, evocative music, and energy-releasing bodywork, which evokes similar states of consciousness as those induced by LSD. The holotropic state, is a neologism composed of two Greek words – holos, signifying completeness or entirety, and "trepo/trepein," meaning to progress or move toward. In essence, it denotes a state of moving toward wholeness or totality (Grof & Grof, 2010).
In NeuroDynamic (NDB), NEURO is an acronym that encapsulates the fundamental aspects of the NDB Workshop: N for Nondirective, representing the inner-guidance nature of the journey, free from external facilitation; E for Empowerment, signifying the source of answers within oneself rather than seeking them externally; U for Unconscious blockages, highlighting the ability to connect with the unconscious releasing blockages and outdated patterns; R for Release, encompassing the liberation from stagnant emotions, blockages, and childhood patterns; and O for Organic, emphasizing the natural use of breath without the need for medication.
"DYNAMIC" refers to the essential role of dynamic music within a NDB session. Accompanied by music the breathing pattern catalyzes a profound exploration of our inner realms and the depths of our unconscious mind. The term "dynamic" derives from the Greek word for force and power, underscoring one of the primary aims of breathwork: to empower individuals by reconnecting them with the inherent power that is rightfully theirs without needing medication. In NDB, consciousness is changed by a combination of faster breathing and evocative music.
More than a decade ago, Grof (2010) suggested that the global crisis was deeply rooted in the level of humanity’s consciousness evolution. He emphasized that systematic self-exploration and intensive inner work could extend beyond personal transformation, fostering racial, gender, and cultural tolerance, reducing aggression, enhancing ecological awareness, and strengthening the sense of global citizenship. As a powerful self-exploration practice, Breathwork has the potential to support this mission. Its online adaptation could play a vital role in making consciousness-expanding practices more accessible worldwide.
Both HB and NDB share a foundational goal: to facilitate expanded states of consciousness that lead to deep personal healing and transformation. While HB was originally designed to mirror psychedelic experiences, NDB brings the practice into the digital age, offering accessible, online sessions. Despite these differences, both methods utilize accelerated breathing and evocative music to tap into the unconscious mind. Ultimately, they aim to reconnect individuals with their innate wholeness and catalyze not only personal growth but also a broader evolution of human consciousness—fostering compassion, awareness, and a more unified global perspective.
References
Edwards, S.D. 2008. Breath psychology: Fundamentals and applications. Psychology and Developing Societies, 20(2), 131-164. https://doi.org/10.1177/097133360802000201
Edwards, S.D. (2011). Breath psychotherapy. Inkanyiso: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 13-23. 10.4314/ijhss.v3i1.69499
Gilbert, C. (April 1999). Breathing: The legacy of Wilhelm Reich. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 3(2), 97-106
Grof, S. (1988). The adventure of self-discovery: Dimensions of consciousness and new perspectives in psychotherapy and inner exploration. SUNY Press.
Grof, S., & Grof, C. (2010). Holotropic breathwork: A new approach to self-exploration and therapy. SUNY Press
Hanh, T. N. (1975,1976). The miracle of mindfulness: An introduction to the practice of meditation. Beacon Press.
Koch, C. (2018). What is consciousness? Nature, 557(7704). https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-05097-x
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
Nair, S. (2007). Breath and consciousness. In Rodopi, B.V. (Ed.). Restoration of breath: consciousness and performance (pp.154-192).
Neurodynamic Breathwork online. (n.d). Neurodynamic Breathwork presents: Neurodynamic Breathwork™ online. A gateway to conscious embodiment, emotional health and personal empowerment using only the breath and dynamic music. https://breathworkonline.com/
Nestor, J. (2020). Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. Penguin Life
Taylor, K. (1994). The holotropic experience: Exploration and healing in non-ordinary states of consciousness. Hanford Mead.
Young, J. S., Cashwell, C. S., & Giordano, A. L. (2010). Breathwork as a therapeutic modality: An overview for counsellors. Counseling and Values, 55(1), 113–125.
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