Frontiers in PsychologyFebruary 25, 2026Natalie L. Dyer, Meredith Sprengel, Ivo V. Stuldreher et al.
Background: The human body radiates multiple biological fields which can be measured with sensors directly on or off the body. These electromagnetic fields are hypothesized to be altered by mind and body practices. The primary goal of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of continuous multi-sensor monitoring during meditation and breathwork practices. It also explored methods to...
BackgroundA range of singing interventions exist for mental health contexts, but few have incorporated group-based body, breathwork and vocal improvisation. The Feldenkrais method has potential to support singing interventions by raising attention to body and breath. This study aimed to describe practice and evaluate experiences and outcomes of a Feldenkrais and group vocal improvisation...
Amidst the growing prevalence of anxiety disorders and the limitations of existing treatments, there is a need to expand treatment options beyond conventional therapy and medication. The popularity of breathwork has grown enormously, but it is still in the process of creating a robust body of evidence to validate its utility. This research employs a true-experimental design to compare pretest...
This paper introduces Movement-informed Breathwork (MiB), a personalised breath-body approach with biofeedback that integrates a form of conscious connected breathwork (breathing without pauses) with targeted neuromuscular contraction and relaxation cycles. Drawing from neuromuscular torque chain dynamics, fascial research and sensorimotor trauma therapy principles, MiB aims to enhance...
Chittodvega, described in Ayurvedic literature as a Vata-dominant Manasika Vyadhi, closely resembles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to its shared features of mental agitation, fear, intrusive thoughts, irritabil-ity, and insomnia. This case study evaluates the therapeutic effect of cyclic Raj yoga meditation, Bhramari Pra-nayama, deep abdominal breathing, and Om chanting on a...
Abstract Breathwork techniques such as diaphragmatic, paced, and box breathing are increasingly used in psychotherapy and embodied clinical practice yet their efficacy and mechanisms remain unevenly documented. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised controlled studies examining breathwork as a stand-alone or adjunctive intervention for psychological (anxiety, depression, stress)...
In recent years integrative mind-body practices, such as high ventilation breathwork (HVB), have sparked considerable interest within psychotherapy research. HVB has a longstanding history, yet only in recent years has grown substantially in popularity, both as a potential therapeutic method within conventional Western health settings and as a wellness-oriented practice among the general public...
High ventilation breathwork (HVB) has received growing interest as a potential therapeutic tool in the context of the psychedelic renaissance and the expanding scientific research on mind–body practices. It involves intentionally increasing the speed and/or depth of breathing and is often conducted in groups, guided by facilitators and accompanied by evocative music. HVB has been reported to...
This project investigates whether high ventilation breathwork (HVB) may support mental health through psychological mechanisms that have been proposed in the psychedelic-assisted therapy literature. HVB can reliably induce altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and has been discussed as a potentially low-threshold, non-pharmacological alternative to psychedelic interventions for conditions such...
Introduction: In the modern educational era, students experience significant pressure due to parental and societal expectations. The fear of falling behind in an increasingly competitive examination environment makes them more susceptible to anxiety and stress. In Ayurveda, anxiety and stress are referred to as Chittodvega and are classified under Manasika Vikaras. Stress has become a...
Background: Stress is a major mental health problem among working women and often leads to physical discomfort, emotional imbalance, and reduced quality of life. Yoga practices such as Bhramari Pranayama and Pranava Japa (Om chanting) are considered safe and simple complementary methods for stress management. However, their combined effect has not been studied adequately. Objective: To evaluate...
Yoga, an ancient Vedic science, promotes unity through postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. Bhastrika pranayama, also known as the "bellows breath," is a vitalizing practice that enhances air flow within the body, stimulates both gross and subtle aspects of the body and mind. It influences brain regions related to emotional processing, such as the amygdala and prefrontal...
Breathwork is widely promoted as a regulatory practice capable of calming the nervous system, releasing trauma and restoring emotional balance. While its therapeutic potential is well documented in experiential contexts, the long-term effects of repeated high intensity practice remain insufficiently examined. This paper explores the hypothesis that sustained autonomic activation and repeated...
Stress, a prevalent consequence of modern lifestyle, significantly contributes to both physical and mental health disorders. Traditional mind-body practices from yoga—including meditation, Pranayama (breath regulation), and Yogasana (physical postures)—have been widely studied for their potential to modulate stress responses and enhance overall well-being. This review aims to evaluate the role...
This paper explores pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, as a promising natural method of neuromodulation. Pranayama aims to regulate the flow of prana (life force) to enhance mental clarity, emotional balance, and physiological resilience. We synthesize evidence from clinical, neuroimaging, and psychophysiological studies, illustrating how various pranayama techniques -...
Psychophysiology2026Neel Muzumdar, Kelly Sun, Samuel Zhang et al.
Sighing generates a reliable sympathetic cardiovascular response that, like exercise, could be leveraged in a graded "stress test" to reveal preclinical changes in cardiovascular health and stress reactivity. This study presents the fixed-interval volitional sighing (FIVS) protocol, which rhythmically paces sighs at different frequencies to systematically load the cardiovascular system....