Is Breathwork the Key to Nervous System Regulation?

Have you ever been in a stressful situation where it feels as if you are losing control of your body? Activation of the sympathetic nervous system may cause our chest to tighten, our thoughts to race, and our breathing to become shallow. What are our options in these moments? What can we rely on to bring us back to center when we experience dysregulation? Breathwork, belly breathing, or paced respiration is an intentional manipulation of how we breathe to achieve specific mental, emotional, or physical benefits. We spoke to Ana Lilia, a certified breathwork teacher, about various breathwork techniques, from breath of fire to box breathing, and the powerful advantages of breathwork, including relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Through this discussion, we learn how consciously incorporating our breath is a pathway for transformation.