Breathwork for Sexual Anxiety
Lohani Noor
July 10, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003671978-64 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Breathwork |
| Topics | Anxiety Breathwork |
| Keywords | Sexual arousal Psychosexual development Sexual dysfunction Sexual behavior Somatic cell Clinical psychology Developmental psychology Personality Libido Sensation |
| Key points | Argues that breathwork can regulate the autonomic nervous system, reduce anxiety, and anchor present-moment awareness, thereby facilitating healthy sexual engagement and helping clients reconnect with sensation and desire in psychosexual therapy. |
Abstract
Sexual anxiety – whether rooted in trauma, performance-related shame, or dysregulated arousal – impedes intimacy, pleasure, and connection. Breathwork, a foundational somatic practice, offers an accessible means to regulate the ANS, reduce anxiety, and anchor present-moment awareness, core to healthy sexual engagement. Within psychosexual therapy, structured breathing promotes embodiment, somatic safety, and trust, assisting clients to reconnect with sensation and desire.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on breathwork, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathwork as a Therapeutic Modality: An Overview for Counselors | 2010 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Breathwork in body psychotherapy: Clinical applications | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Enhancement of inter-hemispheric brain waves synchronisation after Pranayama practice | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Relationship and Mechanism Underlying the Effect of Conscious Breathing on the Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Waves | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Holotropic Breathwork, Second Edition | 2023 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |