Although conscious connected breathwork (CCB) continues to grow in popularity as a practice used for nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and emotional well-being, little is known about how its effects and experiences may vary across the menstrual cycle. Existing research indicates that breathwork, including different conscious connected breathwork (CCB) techniques, can influence...
Recently, the applied psychophysiology community has started to investigate the effectiveness of combining neurofeedback and biofeedback interventions. The training triad of beta-theta neurofeedback, heart rate variability biofeedback, and box-breathing continuous feedback can influence participants' electrophysiological activity and also help healthy individuals decrease reaction time. For...
Anxiety disorders represent one of the most prevalent categories of mental illness worldwide, and pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, while effective, remain inaccessible or unacceptable to a substantial proportion of affected individuals. Yoga and pranayama, mind–body practices rooted in South Asian contemplative traditions, have attracted sustained scientific interest as...
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,...
Stress is inevitable in life. With increasing complexities, aspirations and uncertainties associated with socio-economic, political and cultural upheavals, stress is more likely to increase. College students today feel pressure and stress coming at them from all different levels. They have stress from their own feelings and internal barometer on how they are fitting in socially and...
Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder frequently associated with sleep disturbances, which can worsen seizure activity and reduce overall quality of life. Non-pharmacological approaches such as Yogasana and Bhramari Pranayama have gained attention for their potential to improve sleep through relaxation, autonomic regulation, and mental stability. Objective: The present study...
BACKGROUND: The scientific development of yoga during the twentieth century was shaped by several pioneering researchers who successfully integrated traditional yogic knowledge with modern medical science. Among the most influential was Dr. Mukund Vinayak Bhole (1935–2021), physician, physiologist, yoga researcher, and former Research Director of Kaivalyadhama, the world's first yoga research...
Abstract Vayu is a mobile breathwork system comprising an iOS companion app and Apple Watch application that delivers slow, resonant breathing using screen-free haptic cues , HRV-adaptive pacing, and reflective journaling grounded in Patanjali’s five states of mind. The watchOS component provides tactile phase guidance and real-time biometric sensing (heart rate, HRV), while the iOS interface...
Pranayama, or yoga breathing, is a vital part of Indo-Tibetan traditions and offers both physical and spiritual benefits. It promotes spiritual enlightenment, increased awareness, physical well-being, and meditation. Pranayama calms the mind, eases tension, and enhances meditation techniques. Studies indicate that it is effective in treating mental health issues, reducing stress, and enhancing...
Background Breathwork that increases ventilatory rate or depth represents an accessible non-pharmacological modality for potentially inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). Despite gaining traction as a potential therapeutic tool, empirical controlled research on breathwork and ASCs remains limited. Methods We examined the effects of a single session of high ventilation breathwork,...
The rapid growth of the elderly population has created a significant demand for preventive and holistic healthcare strategies that support healthy and independent living in later life. Aging is generally associated with gradual decline in physical efficiency, psychological resilience, respiratory function, cognitive performance, and social participation. In recent years, Yoga and Pranayama have...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, contributing to nearly 60%-70% of dementia cases. Current pharmacological treatments provide limited symptomatic relief and minimal efficacy in altering disease progression, highlighting the need for complementary interventions. Mind-body practices such as yoga and meditation are increasingly explored for preserving cognitive...
This study theoretically explores the psychotherapeutic mechanisms of Holotropic Breathwork, an experiential technique developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof, by employing Charles T. Tart's model of altered states of consciousness as a theoretical framework. Through literature review and conceptual analysis, Tart's three conditions of state transition (set, setting, and trigger) and his...
This project investigates the safety profile of high ventilation breathwork (HVB). HVB has been shown to reliably induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) comparable to psychedelics and has demonstrated multiple positive effects on mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations. Although HVB is regarded as generally safe when considering contraindications, intense somatic,...
Chronic pain is a major public health problem. Due to the persistent, costly, and complex nature of chronic pain, there is a need for new safe and effective treatments. Integrative breathwork interventions, or therapeutic styles of conscious breathing, have promise as novel treatments for chronic pain. The primary objective of this proof-of-concept study was to examine the feasibility,...
CureusApril 23, 2026T Devipriya, R Divya, A Sureshbalaji R et al.
Background Reaction time (RT) constitutes a fundamental psychomotor parameter reflecting neurocognitive efficiency and sensorimotor integration capacity. Bhramari Pranayama, characterized by prolonged humming exhalation, demonstrates promising neurocognitive enhancement potential through parasympathetic activation mechanisms. This investigation aimed to evaluate immediate changes in auditory...
Abstract Background: Yoga, rooted in the spiritual discipline of ancient Indian sages, has been widely adopted as a means to promote psychological well-being in modern times. Despite growing interest, rigorous scientific evaluation of the specific effects of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing techniques) on the psychological health of homemakers remains limited. Objectives: This study...
Stress and HealthMarch 5, 2026A. G. Little, Matthew J. Stainer, Alex Sandy MacQuarrie et al.1 citation
Paramedicine students experience disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia compared to the general population, placing them at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and long-term psychological distress. Breathwork has emerged as a promising self-regulation intervention that may enhance resilience and wellbeing while reducing symptoms of mental illness. This...
ABSTRACT We used a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of a virtual breathwork meditation program (i.e., Sudarshan Kriya Yoga [SKY]) on wellness in counselors‐in‐training ( N = 42). Participants’ overall wellness and sub‐domains of wellness were assessed by the Five Factor Wellness Inventory at pre‐, post‐, and 1‐month follow‐up. Findings indicated that SKY significantly...