Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with non-judgmental awareness. It roots in Buddhist traditions and has been practiced for thousands of years in Asia. The practice was brought to the West in the 1970s by teachers such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, who developed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a program that uses mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and improve well-being. 

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Breathwork, on the other hand, has a more varied history. Breathing techniques have been used for centuries in various spiritual and healing traditions, from yoga and Taoism to Native American and shamanic practices. In the West, breathwork has gained popularity in recent years as a means of reducing stress, improving mental clarity, and promoting overall health and wellness. 

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Throughout my years of practicing different breathwork techniques such as pranayama, holotropic, shamanic, Vipassana, Sudarshan Kriya, transformational breath, I have to share my favorite is inspired by the Wim Hof breathing technique. This breathing technique draws on several different types of breathwork, including hyperventilation, pranayama, and Tummo breathing. 

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Hyperventilation involves breathing quickly and deeply, which can increase oxygen and cause a temporary shift in the body's pH levels. This can lead to feelings of lightheadedness and tingling sensations in the hands and feet, which are common effects of the Wim Hof breathing technique. 

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Pranayama is a term used in yoga to describe various breathing exercises that are used to regulate the breath and promote relaxation and well-being. Wim Hof's method shares some similarities with pranayama techniques such as kapalabhati, which involves rapid breathing. 

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Tummo breathing is a specific type of breathwork that is practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. It involves the use of visualization and breathing techniques to generate heat in the body, which is thought to promote health and well-being. Wim Hof has cited Tummo breathing as an influence on his own breathwork practice. 

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Today, mindfulness and breathwork are often practiced together as a means of promoting relaxation, focus, and emotional well-being. Mindfulness-based practices such as mindful breathing, body scans, and meditation are used to cultivate present-moment awareness, while different breathwork techniques are used to access deeper states of consciousness. 

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Resources: 

Breath by James Nestor

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If this sparks interest but your not sure where to start, 

book a breathwork session today & start exploring!