What is breathwork?
Breathwork has been around for thousands of years from Pranayama, Qigong and Buddhism where breath practices were recognised as the vital life forces of prana, qi or ki, essential for physical health, mental clarity and spiritual connection.
It re-emerged in the West in the 1950’s with systems including the Buteyko method, Holotropic breathwork, Rebirthing and more recently The Wim Hoff Method
What is the science behind it?
Breathwork is the practice of consciously altering breathing patterns to influence physiological and psychological states.
Unlike automatic respiration, breathwork engages the central nervous system to modulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), shifting the body between sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) modes.
What are the benefits of breathwork?
Scientific studies link structured breathwork to several measurable outcomes:
- Stress Reduction: Meta-analyses show significant decreases in self-reported stress and anxiety through parasympathetic activation.
- Cardiovascular Health: Slow breathing lowers blood pressure and improves heart rate variability (HRV).
- Cognitive Performance: Breathwork Techniques can enhance focus, attention span, and emotional regulation.
- Immune Function: High-ventilation practices may voluntarily modulate the innate immune response and reduce inflammation.
What to expect from an Elemental breathwork session
The Hive offers Elemental breathwork. After a brief explanation and opportunity to ask questions, you’ll stretch and move and then settle down on your mattress, with an eye mask to reduce distractions and a blanket and be coached to breathe together in time to the rhythmic music. For each track you’ll cycle through, or have a varient of these breathing patterns:
Earth breath – in for the count of 4 and out for 4. The earth breath is stabilising, helps settle your mind and to be present
Water breath – in for the count of 2 and out for 2. The water breath is more fluid and moves like a wave coming into the shore and receding
Air breath – in for 1 and out for 1. The air breath is feels expansive and increases the oxygen levels to all areas of your body
Fire breath – faster breathing, similar to ‘the breath of fire’ in yoga. For a short period to rapidly increase the energy levels
Ether breath – breathing in for 4 and out of 8 to relax and calm the nervous system
After the breathing, there will be a short meditation and time to relax and intergrate the experience.
What to bring with you
Comfortable clothing, water bottle and a journal if you use one.
Can anyone do breathwork?
Elemental breathwork is accessible to a wide variety of people. You are in complete control to participate in a way that is comfortable for you. Breath work is contraindicated for people with the following conditions:
Neurological conditions including epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and active psychosis
Pregnant women are generally advised against intense breath work due to risks of dizziness, oxygen shifts, and potential stress on the fetus.
Eye issues like glaucoma or detached retina should avoid practices that may increase intracranial or intraocular pressure.
If you have any queries or doubts, please speak to your healthcare practitioner to get advice.