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Breathwork Defined
Breathwork, an ancient practice embraced across cultures, has gained international attention in modern wellness for its transformative effects on both mind and body. At its essence, breathwork is the conscious modulation of breathing patterns to influence physiological and psychological states, supporting improved well-being, emotional balance, and stress management.
The underlying science lies in breathwork’s ability to regulate the autonomic nervous system, which governs involuntary processes like heart rate, digestion, and circulation. By adjusting the breath, you can shift from the sympathetic nervous system—the “fight or flight” response—to the parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages “rest, digest and heal” functions. This shift reduces stress hormones like cortisol, lowers blood pressure, and cultivates deep relaxation.
Breathwork also impacts brain function and chemistry. Conscious breathing increases oxygen delivery to the brain, boosting focus, clarity, and emotional regulation. It can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers, helping reduce anxiety and improve overall mood. Techniques like deep diaphragmatic breathing strengthen lung capacity and optimize oxygenation, enhancing physical vitality.
Research supports breathwork’s role in mental health, showing that methods such as pranayama—the cornerstone of Soma Breath®—can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By fostering mindfulness and heightened awareness, breathwork helps process emotions, build resilience, and cultivate a great sense of calm and inner balance.
Soma Breath® Defined
Soma Breath® stands out from many other breathwork modalities because it combines rhythm, science, meditation, and personal transformation into one structured practice.
Each session blends conscious breathing, breath retention, and carefully timed phases that activate the nervous system, improve circulation, and unlock deeper states of awareness. You’ll feel it in your body, see it in your mind, and notice it in your energy.
Soma Breath works for anyone - whether you want to de-stress, energize, heal, or perform at your peak. It’s adaptable, approachable,
and transformational. Science meets rhythm, and breath becomes a doorway to clarity, resilience, and personal growth.
Soma Breath® combines rhythmic music, structured techniques, and cutting-edge science to help you regulate stress, boost energy, and access mental clarity.Here’s a breakdown of what makes it different:
1. Rhythm and Music
Unlike many traditional breathwork methods, Soma Breath uses proprietary music technology with vibrational rhythms and binaural beats to guide the nervous system. The music helps the body synchronize with the breath, making the experience immersive and more effective for energy, focus, and emotional release.
2. Structured Phases
Soma Breath sessions are carefully sequenced. They combine:
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A movement phase to warm your body and increase focus
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Guided meditation and visualization
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Rhythmical breathing
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Breath retention utilizing hypoxic (low-oxygen) and hypercapnic (high-CO2) techniques
This combination is designed to stimulate both body and mind, activating energy, improving circulation, and promoting mental clarity.
3. Scientific Foundation
Soma Breath® emphasizes the physiology behind the practice. It’s informed by research from Cambridge University in:
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Autonomic nervous system regulation
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Heart rate variability (HRV)
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Oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in the blood
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Neuroplasticity and stress resilience
Soma Breath® Cambridge University Study
Peer-reviewed, 2024
Key Findings:
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Increased Neural Complexity: The study found that breathwork-induced positive, psychedelic-like experiences were associated with increased neural Lempel-Ziv complexity, indicating richer and more diverse brain activity.
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Positive Phenomenological States: Participants reported heightened states of bliss, insightfulness, and spiritual experiences, particularly during the breath-hold phases of the breathwork sessions.
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Reduction in Negative Experiences: Over the course of the study, participants experienced a decrease in negative physical and mental states, such as anxiety and boredom, as they continued their breathwork practice.
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This study shows the power of SOMA Breath to create predictable psychedelic effects with high bliss states and a lessening of negative effects with continued practice that cannot be said is the same for other methods of breathwork.
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The study was described as the largest breathwork study to date.
© Allison MacLean, Big AL's Breathwork
All Rights Reserved
2026