You absolutely should have a follow up! Isabel is so knowledgeable and as far as my intuition goes an exceptionally empathetic and well rounded yoga teacher. So, thanks for enriching the yogaverse with yet another valuable exchange of minds.
I personally practice (something resembling) Pranayama currently on a daily basis. Usually in the morning before work. Sadly I never experienced any mystical states due to breathing techniques. Though, I do in fact enjoy catatonic cramping and blacking out from hyperventilation. I suppose I'm not an outlier, otherwise Wim Hof™ and Breathwork® wouldn't be so financially lucrative. But as far as I am concerned those are mostly just physiological curiosities and not valid therapeutic techniques or particularly mystical practices.
But I do firmly believe that breath is the essential connection between mind and body and Pranayama-inspired breathing techniques do help me relax in a way that is difficult to achieve with other means. It also is kind of a work out for the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, vocal chords, it stretches the lungs and alveoli, cleans the mucosal tissue of my nasal cavities. Alternate nostril breathing intensifies the training of the muscle tissue inside of the mucosal nasal tissue. The increased over- and underpressure keeps it firm and strong which might prevent developing obstructive sleep apnea and other diseases. And it increases its moistening and drain of mucus.
And last but not least, it feels good doing it and after doing it I always feel at least a little bit better.
You absolutely should have a follow up! Isabel is so knowledgeable and as far as my intuition goes an exceptionally empathetic and well rounded yoga teacher. So, thanks for enriching the yogaverse with yet another valuable exchange of minds.
I personally practice (something resembling) Pranayama currently on a daily basis. Usually in the morning before work. Sadly I never experienced any mystical states due to breathing techniques. Though, I do in fact enjoy catatonic cramping and blacking out from hyperventilation. I suppose I'm not an outlier, otherwise Wim Hof™ and Breathwork® wouldn't be so financially lucrative. But as far as I am concerned those are mostly just physiological curiosities and not valid therapeutic techniques or particularly mystical practices.
But I do firmly believe that breath is the essential connection between mind and body and Pranayama-inspired breathing techniques do help me relax in a way that is difficult to achieve with other means. It also is kind of a work out for the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, vocal chords, it stretches the lungs and alveoli, cleans the mucosal tissue of my nasal cavities. Alternate nostril breathing intensifies the training of the muscle tissue inside of the mucosal nasal tissue. The increased over- and underpressure keeps it firm and strong which might prevent developing obstructive sleep apnea and other diseases. And it increases its moistening and drain of mucus.
And last but not least, it feels good doing it and after doing it I always feel at least a little bit better.
Thanks for sharing, Raffael - lots of great examples of benefits there! 🙌