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How is breathwork different from meditation?

Breathwork and meditation are both powerful practices that promote mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, but they differ in their methods, focus, and effects:

Breathwork involves intentional, controlled breathing patterns that can vary in speed, depth, and rhythm. The focus is on the breath itself, often using specific techniques like deep breathing, rapid breathing, or breath retention to alter physical and mental states. Breathwork actively engages the body and can lead to intense physical and emotional experiences. It often aims for immediate and powerful shifts in emotional, physical, or energetic states. It is used for emotional release, trauma processing, enhancing energy flow, and accessing altered states of consciousness. Breathwork is dynamic and can be deeply cathartic. 

From a physiological perspective, it affects the nervous system, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and heart rate. It can induce a trance-like state, promote detoxification, and stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that can lead to profound emotional and energetic shifts.

Meditation, on the other hand, primarily involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, mantra, or simply observing thoughts without attachment. The focus is on cultivating a state of mindfulness, awareness, or stillness. It is generally a more passive practice compared to breathwork and emphasizes mental observation and non-reactivity. It aims to cultivate inner peace, mental clarity, self-awareness, and a sense of presence. It is generally used for long-term mental and emotional stability, stress reduction, and spiritual growth through sustained practice. 

From a physiological perspective, it typically has a calming effect on the body by lowering heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and promoting relaxation through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. The physiological changes are usually more subtle and focused on achieving a state of rest and balance.

Both practices complement each other well and can be used together to enhance overall well-being, with breathwork providing dynamic shifts and meditation offering a steady foundation for mental and emotional resilience.

What is the difference between Pranayama and Western breathwork?

Pranayama and Western breathwork differ primarily in their origins, goals, and techniques:

  • Origins and Philosophy: Pranayama is rooted in ancient Indian yoga and spiritual traditions, emphasizing breath control as a pathway to inner peace, spiritual growth, and alignment of the body’s energies. Western breathwork, on the other hand, evolved more recently and is influenced by modern psychology, focusing on emotional healing, self-exploration, and personal transformation.

  • Goals and Intentions: Pranayama aims for mental clarity, physical health, and spiritual enlightenment, often preparing practitioners for deeper meditation. Western breathwork primarily targets therapeutic outcomes such as stress reduction, trauma release, and accessing altered states of consciousness.

  • Techniques: Pranayama includes specific, structured breathing techniques with set patterns, breath retention, and precise control. These techniques often include precise ratios of inhalation, retention, and exhalation. While some Western breathwork practices can be highly structured and intense, the overall approach can vary widely, it can be more flexible, often adapted to the individual’s needs, and may include rhythmic, continuous, or free-form breathing patterns.

frequently asked questions

How should I prepare for a breathwork session?

You will always receive an email prior to upcoming sessions with detailed instructions. You will need ~2 hours of uninterrupted time. It's recommended that participants abstain from alcohol 24-48hrs before and after the session. Also, participants are advised to try to avoid eating at least 2 hours before the session (definitely no heavy meals) and there should be no caffeine, soda, energy drinks, or smoking for at least 4 hours before the session. 

Each participant will need the following items:

Yoga mat (or any comfortable flat surface)  

Pillow

Eye mask or something to cover the eyes with

Comfortable clothing (layers and socks are recommended)

Blanket (optional)

Chapstick (if needed, as mouth can get dry during breathing)

Water (optional)

Is there anyone who shouldn’t do breathwork?

Please refer to the Health Restrictions, which are recommendations as to who may want to abstain from a breathwork session

What are common after-effects?

After a breathwork journey, people might experience:

  • Physical Sensations: Deep relaxation, tingling, or lightness in the body.

  • Emotional Release: A range of emotions, such as joy, sadness, or relief as stored emotions are released.

  • Mental Clarity: Enhanced focus, reduced stress, and a sense of calm.

  • Heightened Self-Awareness: Increased awareness of thoughts and feelings.

  • Integration Time: A need for quiet time to process and absorb the experience.

  • Temporary Discomfort: Possible mild headaches or fatigue, typically resolved with rest and hydration.

  • Extended Benefits: Improved mood, better sleep, and greater resilience in the days following the session.

Is there anything I need to do after a session?

Yes, and we will discuss this as part of the integration session after your journey. Journaling the day of or the day after is a great way to give full expression to your experience. Baths and foot soaks are a good way to help your body clear out toxins. Also, it’s important to ground, be in nature (even just going for a walk outdoors), hydrate, and sleep well. The more you ground, the more able you are to integrate what you’ve just experienced. It helps you settle back into your body and calms the central nervous system.

How often can/should I do breathwork?

There is no one size fits all here. It’s all about what feels good to you. Short daily breathwork sessions (even just 5-10 minutes/day) are an excellent way to integrate breathwork into busy schedules while still reaping significant benefits such as stress reduction, greater focus and clarity, higher productivity, emotional regulation, increased energy, more self-awareness and presence, etc. It can be the precursor to your daily meditation practice if you have one. Otherwise, practicing deep breathing at any point in your day can be a powerful tool for bringing you back into your body and cultivating an immediate sense of peace and relaxation anytime you need it.


The frequency of Dimensional Breathwork journeys, which are longer and guided, can vary based on individual needs, goals, and experience levels. Here are some general guidelines:

  1. Beginners: Consider starting with once a month to get accustomed to the intensity and to allow time for integration and reflection.

  2. Intermediate: Once every 1-2 weeks can be beneficial for those seeking deeper emotional release, personal and professional growth, and/or healing.

  3. Advanced: Weekly sessions might suit those deeply committed to their practice as well as for optimal personal and professional development, provided they feel ready and are mindful of their body’s responses.

  4. Personal Preference and Intuition: Ultimately, the frequency should be guided by personal intuition, comfort, and the outcomes of each session. It's important to listen to your body and adjust as needed.