The latest breath of fresh air in the self-help industry has come in the form of "breathwork" – a supposed miracle cure for all life's woes. With courses, books, and online sessions popping up left and right, claiming to unlock your fullest human potential, it's time to take a step back and separate fact from fiction.
While there is evidence that breathwork can have physiological effects, such as changing our mood and affecting stress levels, the promised benefits are often exaggerated. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and resistance breathwork have been found to have well-established effects on the body, but it's essential to approach these practices with a critical eye.
The risks associated with certain breathwork methods cannot be ignored. The Wim Hof method, for example, involves rapid breathing and breath holds, which can lead to hypoxia and potentially cause harm to those with respiratory conditions or other health issues. As Prof Mark Hutchinson, dean of health research at Adelaide University, notes, "all of these things should be done under constant supervision and guidance by medical practitioners."
Moreover, the business motive behind many breathwork promotions cannot be ignored. With some courses charging hundreds of dollars, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and invest in practices that are more gimmick than substance. As Hutchinson warns, "when I see people charging large amounts of money for very expensive things that are not actually grounded in any evidence, my alarm bells go off."
So what exactly is breathwork? The answer is a bit complicated, as there are various techniques and protocols being touted as the latest wellness trend. According to Dr Vince Polito, a senior lecturer in the school of psychological sciences at Macquarie University, some breathwork involves slowing down your breathing to have a relaxing effect, while others involve rapid breathing to stimulate certain physiological responses.
Ultimately, it's essential to approach breathwork with a healthy dose of skepticism and to separate fact from fiction. While there may be some benefits to certain techniques, the industry needs to be held accountable for its claims. As Hutchinson notes, "breathing is free." Let's not forget that.
While there is evidence that breathwork can have physiological effects, such as changing our mood and affecting stress levels, the promised benefits are often exaggerated. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and resistance breathwork have been found to have well-established effects on the body, but it's essential to approach these practices with a critical eye.
The risks associated with certain breathwork methods cannot be ignored. The Wim Hof method, for example, involves rapid breathing and breath holds, which can lead to hypoxia and potentially cause harm to those with respiratory conditions or other health issues. As Prof Mark Hutchinson, dean of health research at Adelaide University, notes, "all of these things should be done under constant supervision and guidance by medical practitioners."
Moreover, the business motive behind many breathwork promotions cannot be ignored. With some courses charging hundreds of dollars, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and invest in practices that are more gimmick than substance. As Hutchinson warns, "when I see people charging large amounts of money for very expensive things that are not actually grounded in any evidence, my alarm bells go off."
So what exactly is breathwork? The answer is a bit complicated, as there are various techniques and protocols being touted as the latest wellness trend. According to Dr Vince Polito, a senior lecturer in the school of psychological sciences at Macquarie University, some breathwork involves slowing down your breathing to have a relaxing effect, while others involve rapid breathing to stimulate certain physiological responses.
Ultimately, it's essential to approach breathwork with a healthy dose of skepticism and to separate fact from fiction. While there may be some benefits to certain techniques, the industry needs to be held accountable for its claims. As Hutchinson notes, "breathing is free." Let's not forget that.
been seeing all these ads and courses popping up everywhere and it's hard not to get caught up in the hype 
but like prof mark hutchinson said, "when I see people charging large amounts of money for very expensive things that are not actually grounded in any evidence" 
so yeah let's keep things in perspective and remember that breathing is free 
. And have you seen those guys doing the Wim Hof method? That stuff is sketchy at best 
. We need to approach this kind of thing with a critical eye and make sure we're not getting taken for a ride. As Mark Hutchinson said, "all of these things should be done under constant supervision and guidance by medical practitioners." Let's keep it real and not let the business side of things get in the way 
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. I've seen some wild stuff in my day, but this takes the cake. Like, who comes up with these fancy breathing techniques and thinks they're gonna unlock our full potential? 
And don't even get me started on the Wim Hof method - that's just asking for trouble, man 
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Now it seems like every Tom, Dick, and Harry is selling some sort of breathwork course or product. And the prices! $ hundreds for a few sessions? Give me a break 
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. And yeah, if you're got respiratory issues or other health probs, it's def not something you wanna mess with 
. I think what Hutchinson said is spot on - we should all just chill and remember that breathing is free 
. The idea that people are charging hundreds of dollars for "breathwork" courses and claiming to unlock their full potential is just laughable 
. It's a bunch of hype and people taking advantage of others' desperation 
. BUT SERIOUSLY, IT'S LIKE A BRIGHT LIGHT SHINING ON HOW MUCH OF THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY IS MORE ABOUT SCAMMING PEOPLE THAN ACTUALLY HELPING THEM 
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. I mean, breathing is free as the prof said, but it's not like you're going to find some magic formula or shortcut to happiness. It's all about the hype and making bank off people's desperation 
. Let's not forget, our health is worth way more than any expensive course or session 
: 71% of people who took breathing classes reported reduced stress levels, but only 32% actually showed significant improvements in anxiety 
. also, the top 5 most expensive breathwork courses averaged $432 per session 
but let's get real, some of these courses and coaches are just trying to make a quick buck off us 
. I mean, if you wanna pay $200 for a session of diaphragmatic breathing, that's your money, but don't expect me to fork over the cash 