What is Somatic Breathwork?
- marcymidnight
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
As "somatic" breathwork has become more and more popular and widespread it is important to understand what it is and what is happening during a session.
Breathwork is simply the conscious changing of the breathing pattern for a specific purpose. Breathwork has been a part of cultures all over the world for centuries as a way to work with energy, find healing and balance physically, emotionally and spiritually. Taoism, Buddhism, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga and other traditions all incorporate some type of breathwork into their practices. There are many different methods of breathwork. Each designed to have a specific effect.
For the purpose of this discussion, "breathwork" refers to the an active form of breathing that is stimulates the body and nervous system with the intention to release tension or/and trauma stored in the physical body; to activate the sympathetic nervous system in a safe and contained setting to assist in changing triggered responses; or to connect more deeply to spiritual self in an altered state.
This particular breathwork is known by many different names including Transformation Breathwork, Tantra Breathwork, Quantum Light Breath, Somatic Breath yet they all have one thing in common. That is, the change in normal breath pattern and the focus on conscious breathing for the purpose of altering the mind, body and emotional state.
What is somatic?
Soma simply means “of the body”. Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the body and how emotions are stored and/or expressed in the body. This type of therapy teaches people how to be safe in their bodies with awareness of bodily sensation; and exploring thoughts, emotions and memories that arise. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a technique developed by Peter Levine PhD and offers extensive trainings in this modality.
Somatic Breath Therapy or Somatic Healing Breathwork utilizes the concepts of somatic therapy by accessing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) - including sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Conscious breathing gives us access to the ANS. We become consciously aware of how our body responds through the ANS. More importantly, we gain access to the subconscious - where all of our habits and patterns are. In this way we can reprogram our subconscious, just like programming a computer.
What is happening in active somatic breathwork?
Blood Chemistry
Any type of breathing has a direct influence on body chemistry which impacts thoughts, emotions and bodily reactions.
The change in the blood chemistry during breathwork is due to a reduction of CO2 in the blood; oxygen is either staying the same or increases. But the physiological and psychospiritual effects can be explained mostly by the reduction of CO2 and thus the change in Ph - towards more alkali (Nestor 2020).
Sometimes too much alkalinity, and consequently the reduction of magnesium and calcium, in the blood can lead to alkalosis which causes cramping and muscle spasms. Commonly experienced as tetiny during a breathwork session.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)
Fluid around the spinal cord and brain and serves as a cushion and a way to distribute nutrients, hormones, interstitial fluid (fluid in the intercellular space), and it helps in the process of elimination of wastes products in the nervous system. CSF plays a vital role in health and wellness, especially the brain. Just naturally breathing maintains the flow of CSF. It moves due to pressure changes in the blood vessels caused by breathing. This is like liquid prana. Breathwork (specifically active breathwork) is increasing the flow of CSF to the brain, which is the same as increasing prana to the brain and enhancing brain and nervous system functions (Dispenza 2019).
Controlled Activation of Sympathetic Nervous System
Active rhythmic breathing is physically activating and arouses the central nervous system, which in turn has great capacity to release stuck energy (stuck emotions in the body) especially when the physical body is in a safe relaxed state. This type of breathing not only activates stuck energy but also helps to cope with strong emotions and physical responses that occur. This is possible due to establishing a safe space, relaxing and grounding prior to beginning the breathing. So that the physical body is safe and nonreactive but the activation, caused by breath, has potential to access memories that may otherwise have been forgotten or suppressed.
The double inhale simply allows for the full capacity of the lungs to draw in breath, increasing oxygen and energy (prana). A long complete exhale releases all CO2 and intentional release of what is no longer needed.
The retention of breaths has potential to increase the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and prana to the brain and pineal gland. The light pressure on the pineal gland stimulates the production of the hormones serotonin and possibly dimethyltryptamine which can lead to feelings of joy, love or bliss.
Breathing through the mouth stimulates physical response, whereas breathing just through nose stimulates mental response. Breathing through the nose is the natural way we breathe, which filters and slows the breath. Breathing through the mouth is not “normal” and therefore it can help when we want to interrupt patterns, activate a different part of the brain, and have a more cathartic experience. Breathing through the mouth also simply allows for more breath in and out (Nestor 2020).
What to expect during a session
Muscle spasms, shaking, tingling. This can be due to the change in blood Ph as mentioned earlier. And can be a release of stuck energy in the form of stuck emotion or energy.
Tetany. This is a cramping or muscle spasm typically of the fingers, toes and lips. The best explanation is the reduced calcium in the blood. However, there must be more going on on the metaphysical level because the calcium (or medical explanation) is not consistent. In my observation, the tetany seems to occur less and less with more breathwork sessions. Perhaps energy is being moved and pushed throughout the whole body to its periphery and eventually releases as the breath returns to normal rhythm.
Pain. The breath can expose areas of the body that we hold a lot of tension while other areas in the body are letting go.
Tightness. It's possible that where there is restriction there is a response from the breather to try and control the release of a difficult emotion or simply stuck energy. You can observe possible changes in the breath pattern and try to sense where the tightness is and place a hand there; massage if appropriate; offer verbal cues to relax that part of the body or continue to deepen breath.
Deep relaxation. Physical relaxation can occur during the breathwork but most likely in the end once the active breathing has stopped. The active breathing coupled with retentions activates pineal gland which assists in the release of feel good hormones - melatonin, serotonin, oxytocin, and DMT.
Transpersonal or Mystical Experiences
from ordinary to non-ordinary state of consciousness
From personal to universal and beyond
beyond time and space
Feelings of oneness or togetherness.
Indescribable
A sense of higher meaning
Strong feelings of happiness, peace or joy
Benefits of Breathwork
Release of physical tension
Pain relief
Trauma release
Increased circulation
Emotional healing in the form of release and expression
Strengthens mind-body connection
Increased energy
Promotes relaxation
Reduces anxiety and depression
Deepens connection with self
Mental clarity
Feelings of joy, bliss and love
Contraindications for Somatic Breathwork
Epilepsy
Parkinsons
high blood pressure (untreated)
bi-polar, schizophrenia, or history of psychiatric hospitalization.
If you experience other heart or nervous system conditions, consult with your doctor prior to the breathwork.
References
Dispenza, Joe. Becoming Supernatural. United Kingdom, Hay House UK, Limited, 2019.
Grof, Stanislav, and Grof, Christina. Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy. United States, State University of New York Press, 2010.
Nestor, James. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. United States, Penguin Publishing Group, 2020.
Rama, Swami, et al. Science of Breath: A Practical Guide. United States, Himalayan Institute Press, 1998.
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