Gasping for Air in Breathwork: How To Transcend This Challenging Experience
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through Breathwork can be a profound and transformative experience. However, like any path to personal growth, it can sometimes lead us to unexpected challenges. Although not overly common, one such challenge that some people encounter is the sensation of gasping for air. This can be unsettling and even frightening. Below, we will provide suggestions on how to navigate this challenging experience and harness it as a unique opportunity for personal growth.
Gasping for Air: 3 Approaches for Working with this Experience in Your Session
Remind Yourself You Are Getting Enough Oxygen:
When you engage in Breathwork, you are diving deep into the realm of your subconscious mind and emotions. This process can often stir up fear, anxiety, and other intense emotions that have been buried within you. One possible manifestation of this fear is the sensation of gasping for air. In these moments, it’s essential to remember that you are, in fact, receiving sufficient oxygen to sustain your body. The fear you are experiencing is a product of your mind, a reaction to the unfamiliar and vulnerable state you find yourself in during Breathwork. It’s a part of the journey, a sign that you are moving through uncharted territory in your psyche.
Embrace Fear as a Guide:
Rather than resisting or avoiding the fear that bubbles up when you’re gasping for air, consider it an invitation to explore the depths of your being. Breathwork provides a safe and supportive space to confront and process these emotions. When you allow yourself to drop into the fear and observe it without judgment, you open the door to profound inner transformation.
Processing through fear is one of the most powerful experiences possible in Breathwork. It can lead to breakthroughs, deep emotional releases, and a greater understanding of the patterns and beliefs that have held you back in life. Instead of viewing fear as an obstacle, see it as a guide, pointing you toward areas of your life that are ready for healing and growth.
Adapt Your Breath:
While facing fear is a supportive aspect of the Breathwork journey, it’s always best to trust your inner guiding intelligence first and foremost. If the experience is feeling too intense or overwhelming for you, you can experiment with modifying your breath to make the process more comfortable. You might try breathing deeply but at a normal pace instead of faster. Another option is to breathe deeply but slightly slower than your usual pace. By doing this, you may find that you can strike a balance between accessing deep emotional states and minimizing the discomfort associated with feeling short of breath. Experiment with different breathing rhythms and find what works best for you.
Closing Thoughts on Gasping for Air in Breathwork
Breathwork is a journey of self-discovery and healing that can lead us to confront our deepest fears and anxieties. The sensation of not getting enough air is a possible challenge along this path, but it is also an opportunity for profound growth and transformation. By allowing yourself to embrace fear as a guide and by experimenting with your breath, you can navigate these challenges with greater ease and unlock the full potential of your Breathwork practice. Remember that the journey is as important as the destination, and every conscious breath you take brings you closer to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
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We offer 2-hour online breathwork workshops several times throughout the week so that people can take a deep dive into their inner healing with a consistent practice. If you would like to join one of our transformational sessions, and partake in faster, deeper breathing to quiet the ego mind and release heavy emotions such as fear and grief, we invite you to register for free!
After your first free session, you will receive an email with access to a whole month of free online facilitated breathwork, up to 24 live sessions, which will allow you to continue your journey with the breath and sow the seeds for incredible, lasting change.
