Therapeutic Breathwork

Pranayama, the art and science of yogic breathing, is an essential discipline within yoga practices that are based in ancient wisdom traditions. It is a component of most yoga classes. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers (especially mental health and allied healthcare providers) and yoga teachers are poorly trained in the modern science of breathing, with little knowledge of the biomechanics and biochemistry of breathing. This lack of knowledge leads to breathing practices being offered based on limited understandings of anatomy and physiology, perpetuating myths about breathing that lead to less-than-optimal breathing instructions and practices for students and patients.

This book seeks to familiarize care providers and yoga teachers who teach breathing as healthcare or self-care with the science, psychology, and yoga pedagogy of breath and breathing. It discusses the science of breathing in great depth and applies this knowledge very practically to accessible, tailored, and person-centered teaching of breathing. Practical teaching applications are carefully outlined and discussed in the context of creating accessibility across enormously diverse student and patient populations who can benefit from tailored breathing practices, either in healthcare, yoga settings, or other types of therapeutic contexts. The book makes the science and psychology of breathing come to life in the yoga classroom and therapy office, with clear instructions, flexible guidelines, hints for cuing, and cautions about adapting and tailoring pranayama practices to the bioindividuality and diversity of yoga students, clients, and patients.

Therapeutic Breathwork: Clinical Science and Practice in Healthcare and Yoga begins with modern science, weaving in ancient wisdoms. From there, it provides clear structures and guidelines for how to practice and teach breathing in empowering, adaptable, accessible, and person-centered ways. It serves as an enlightening guide to yogic breathing practices (pranayama) for healthcare providers, yoga teachers, and advanced yoga practitioners who want to use breathwork to bring the benefits of yoga into healthcare and self-care.