Breathwork vs. Meditation
Breathwork is gaining more and more traction these days, popping up in wellness circles and social media feeds everywhere. But for many, the idea of deep, intentional breathing as a pathway to inner peace might still seem a bit unconventional. After all, isn't meditation – the practice of sitting in quiet contemplation for months or even years – the only real way to achieve lasting transformation?
Even Breathing Space founder Benedict Beaumont, who dedicated years to studying Buddhism and decades to meditation, discovered that, for him, a single breathwork session could unlock more self-discovery and healing than years on the cushion.
This isn't to say that meditation isn't valuable – it absolutely is! But it's also a reminder that there are many paths to inner peace, and breathwork offers a unique and powerful doorway. So, if you're curious about breathwork but unsure how it compares to meditation, or if you're simply seeking a fresh perspective on your wellness journey, read on. We'll explore the nuances of both practices, their key differences, and how they can complement each other to create a truly holistic approach to well-being.
Breathwork
Breathwork encompasses a diverse range of practices, each with its unique flavour and approach. However, they all share a common thread: the intentional manipulation of the breath to influence our physical, emotional, and mental states. Let's go little deeper into one of the most powerful forms of breathwork: Conscious Connected Breathwork.
Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB)
Conscious Connected Breathwork, often simply referred to as "breathwork," is a powerful practice that involves a specific pattern of circular, connected breathing. Unlike traditional breathing, where there are natural pauses between inhales and exhales, CCB involves breathing in and out continuously, without any breaks.
This connected breathing pattern can lead to a variety of experiences, including:
Increased energy and alertness: The rapid and rhythmic breathing can stimulate the nervous system and increase oxygen flow to the brain, leading to a heightened sense of awareness and vitality.
Emotional release: The deep and connected breaths can help to access and release suppressed emotions, allowing for greater emotional clarity and freedom.
Altered states of consciousness: In some cases, CCB can induce altered states of consciousness, similar to those experienced during meditation or deep relaxation. This can lead to profound insights, spiritual experiences, and a sense of interconnectedness.
CCB is an active and participatory practice that requires your full engagement. It's not about passively observing your breath; it's about consciously directing it, creating a dynamic dance between your breath, your body, and your mind.
Other Breathwork Modalities
While CCB is a popular and accessible form of breathwork, it's just one of many modalities available. Other well-known practices include:
Holotropic Breathwork: Developed by Stanislav Grof, this powerful technique involves deep, rapid breathing combined with evocative music to induce altered states of consciousness and facilitate deep healing and transformation. This is essentially a branded version of CCB.
Wim Hof Method: This method combines cold exposure, breathwork, and mindset training to enhance physical and mental resilience.
Pranayama: These ancient yogic breathing practices encompass a wide range of techniques, each with specific benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The world of breathwork is vast and varied, offering a multitude of pathways for exploration and self-discovery. Whether you're drawn to the dynamic intensity of CCB or the gentle subtlety of pranayama, there's a breathwork practice out there that's perfect for you.
Meditation
If breathwork is a dynamic dance with your breath, meditation is more like sitting by a still pond, observing the ripples and reflections on its surface. It's a practice of cultivating stillness, turning your attention inwards, and observing your thoughts and sensations without judgment.
Traditional Meditation
Traditional meditation practices often involve focusing on a single point of attention, such as the breath, a mantra, or a visual object. The goal is to quiet the chatter of the mind and cultivate a state of inner peace and clarity.
Key features of traditional meditation include:
Passive Observation: Rather than actively manipulating the breath, meditation encourages a more passive observation of thoughts, sensations, and emotions as they arise and pass away.
Focus on Mental Clarity: The primary aim is to cultivate a still and focused mind, free from distractions and ruminations.
Calming & Grounding: Meditation can induce a deep sense of relaxation and groundedness, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a popular form of meditation that involves paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity. It encourages you to observe your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment, simply noticing them as they arise and pass away.
Key features of mindfulness meditation include:
Non-judgmental Awareness: The focus is on accepting whatever arises in your experience without labeling it as good or bad.
Breath Awareness: Mindfulness meditation often incorporates breath awareness as an anchor for attention, helping to ground you in the present moment.
Stress Reduction & Self-Awareness: This practice has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase self-awareness.
Both traditional meditation and mindfulness meditation offer valuable benefits for mental and emotional well-being. They can help to calm the mind, reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate a greater sense of inner peace.
Breathwork vs. Meditation: Key Differences
While breathwork and meditation share a common goal of promoting inner peace and well-being, they offer distinct pathways to achieve this. Understanding these key differences can help you choose the practice that best suits your needs and preferences.
Active vs. Passive
Breathwork is an active practice that involves consciously manipulating your breath to influence your physical, emotional, and mental states. It requires your full participation and engagement, often leading to a dynamic and transformative experience.
Meditation, on the other hand, is a more passive practice that involves observing your thoughts, sensations, and emotions without judgment. It's about creating a space for stillness and allowing your inner world to unfold naturally.
Emotional Release vs. Mental Clarity
Breathwork, particularly Conscious Connected Breathwork, can facilitate the release of suppressed emotions and unresolved traumas. It can be a cathartic and deeply healing experience, allowing you to process and integrate past experiences.
Meditation, while it can also lead to emotional insights, primarily focuses on cultivating mental clarity and stillness. It's about observing your thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them, creating a sense of spaciousness and inner peace.
Energy & Transformation vs. Calm & Grounding
Breathwork can be a powerful catalyst for transformation, often leaving you feeling energized, revitalized, and connected to a deeper sense of purpose. It can be a powerful tool for breaking through limiting beliefs, accessing your inner wisdom, and stepping into your full potential.
Meditation, on the other hand, is more about cultivating a sense of calm and groundedness. It can help to quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of inner stillness and peace.
Accessibility
Both breathwork and meditation are accessible to most people, regardless of their experience or physical abilities. However, breathwork, particularly Conscious Connected Breathwork, may be easier for beginners to grasp as it involves a more active, often guided, and structured approach. Meditation, with its emphasis on stillness and observation, can sometimes be challenging for those who struggle with a busy mind or restlessness. Although guided meditations can also be very helpful to begin.
Breathwork AND Meditation: A Powerful Synergy
While breathwork and meditation offer distinct benefits, they are not mutually exclusive practices. In fact, they can complement each other beautifully, creating a powerful synergy that supports your overall well-being.
Complementary Practices
Breathwork and meditation can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Breathwork, with its active engagement and potential for emotional release, can help to clear away mental and emotional clutter, creating a fertile ground for deeper meditation. Meditation, with its focus on stillness and observation, can help to integrate the insights and experiences gained through breathwork, fostering a sense of groundedness and inner peace.
Preparing for Meditation with Breathwork
If you struggle with a busy mind during meditation, consider incorporating a few minutes of breathwork beforehand. Practices like diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing can help to calm the nervous system and settle the mind, making it easier to enter a meditative state.
Deepening Breathwork with Mindfulness
Mindfulness, the practice of non-judgmental awareness, can also enhance your breathwork experience. By bringing a mindful attitude to your breathwork sessions, you can observe your thoughts, sensations, and emotions with greater clarity and acceptance. This can lead to deeper insights, increased self-awareness, and a greater sense of empowerment.
Creating a Holistic Practice
There's no right or wrong way to combine breathwork and meditation. You might choose to start your day with an energizing breathwork practice followed by a calming meditation. Or you might prefer to end your day with a relaxing breathwork session to release tension and prepare for a restful sleep, followed by a brief meditation to cultivate gratitude and inner peace.
Experiment with different combinations and discover what works best for you. The key is to create a holistic practice that nourishes both your body and mind, supporting your overall well-being.
Remember, breathwork and meditation are not competing practices; they are complementary tools that can support you on your journey towards greater self-awareness, healing, and inner peace.
Choosing the Right Practice for You
With so many different breathwork and meditation practices available, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. The good news is, there's no one "right" answer. The best practice for you is the one that resonates with your individual needs, preferences, and goals.
Your Goals & Needs
Start by reflecting on what you're hoping to achieve through your practice. Are you seeking stress relief, emotional healing, improved focus, or a deeper spiritual connection? Understanding your goals can help you narrow down your options and choose practices that are most likely to support your intentions.
Your Personality & Preferences
Consider your personality and preferences. Do you enjoy active and dynamic practices, or do you prefer a more passive and contemplative approach? Are you comfortable exploring intense emotions, or do you prefer to cultivate a sense of calm and stillness? Honouring your natural tendencies will help you find a practice that feels enjoyable and sustainable.
Experiment & Explore
Don't be afraid to try different breathwork and meditation techniques. What works for one person may not work for another. Explore different modalities, attend classes or workshops, and see what resonates most with you.
No Need to Choose
Remember, you don't have to choose between breathwork and meditation. You can embrace both practices, incorporating them into your routine in a way that feels balanced and supportive.
Perhaps you start your day with an energizing breathwork practice to set a positive tone, and end your day with a calming meditation to promote restful sleep. Or maybe you alternate between the two practices, depending on your needs and energy levels each day.
The key is to listen to your intuition and create a practice that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Practicing Both with Breathing Space
We offer many different ways to practice both meditation and breathwork, often together in the same sessions.
Here are some of the different offerings we have:
1) Our Breathwork Library has a large collection of guided breathwork practices, guided breathwork meditations, conscious connected breathwork sessions and more!
2) Our Free Weekly Breathwork sessions offer live, zoom breathwork in a variety of time zones and dates. These often encompass a theme and involve both meditation and breathwork.
3) We offer a variety of courses that combine both breathwork, meditation, and yoga nidra sessions to enhance the effects.
4) Our Breathwork Facilitator Training courses offer a way to learn to facilitate and hold space for a variety of different practices in a trauma informed, inclusive way.
