Common Side-Effects of Breathing Practices
Heightened breathing exercises can push physiology beyond a person's comfort zone and change the chemistry of the body on several fronts that science has yet to fully understand. However, generally speaking we'll be switching stimulation between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (fight/flight vs rest/recovery). As a result some common symptoms may include the following:
tinglingcramping, also knowns as Tetne
heightened pain in injured areas
lightheadedness / dizziness
emotional release: laughing or crying
passing out for brief periods of time in all its variations: some feel 1/2 sleep, 1/2 awake
feelings of euphoria or its opposite
Tinnitus: ringing in ear
headaches / migraines
body lockdown / freezing
temperature variations
acute or short-term heightened anxiety ~ this is commonly a heightening of underlying/existing anxiety that will generally speaking dampen with regular practice. Not to undermine severe anxiety, such as clinically diagnosed conditions, regular practice can reduce symptoms and offer individuals to address the underlying issues that cause anxiety.
I've guided several hundred people through breathing practices and never had issues with anyone. However, the practice is not ideal for those who suffer from cardiovascular/circulatory issues, heart or blood problems, have had surgery recently, Kidney issues, Angina Pectoris, Raynaud’s syndrome (type I), are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, epilepsy, AFib, blood clots, and other conditions that can be impacted from moving blood around the body.
We have a mix of participants ranging from those who're very new to seasoned practitioners. The guided practice becomes individualized when you apply the guidance to how you feel ~ meaning you're in control and can decide how deep and intense you want to go. I ask participants to gauge their effort at a personal rate of per This will all make sense once you're doing it!
This is a short (minute + 40sec) video that will give you a brief glimpse into the practice: