New to breathwork?
Everything you need to know before you begin
You don't need any experience. This page gives you the basics: what breathwork is, how to do it safely, and a few words that will come up as you practice.
What breathwork is
Changing how you breathe changes how you feel
Breathwork is the conscious practice of changing the way you breathe in order to shift how you feel: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Your breath is the one part of your nervous system you can directly control. A long exhale calms you. A fast, full inhale energizes you. A pause after the exhale teaches your body that stillness is safe. Ancient traditions across Asia and beyond discovered these effects thousands of years ago; modern science has confirmed the mechanisms. Vayu brings both traditions together into a single guided practice.
The four phases
Every breathing practice is built from some combination of these four elements
Inhale
Drawing air in, usually through the nose. The nervous system activates slightly on the inhale, which is why breathing in can feel alerting or energizing.
Hold after inhale
A pause with full lungs. This can build focus, warmth, or a sense of readiness. Not all practices use it. You can skip it if it feels uncomfortable.
Exhale
Releasing air out. The calming side of your nervous system activates on the exhale. This is why a long, slow exhale helps you feel settled. Most stress-relief practices emphasize the exhale.
Pause after exhale
A natural rest on empty lungs. This teaches the body that stillness is safe rather than alarming. In some practices it is short; in others it is the heart of the practice.
Before you start
A few simple tips
Breathe through your nose
Most practices use the nose for both inhale and exhale. The nose filters, warms, and humidifies air. Some stronger practices use the mouth. The practice will always tell you which.
Get comfortable
Sit upright in a chair or on the floor, or lie down. You want to breathe freely without slouching. Close your eyes if it helps you focus, or leave them soft and open.
Don't force anything
Breathwork should feel like an invitation, not a struggle. If a count feels too long, shorten it. If something feels uncomfortable, slow down or stop. The breath leads; you follow.
Start with shorter sessions
Five to ten minutes is plenty to start. Filter the library by "Beginner" to see practices designed for newcomers. You can always increase the duration on any practice.
What's normal, and when to stop
Your body may respond in surprising ways. Most sensations are harmless.
These are normal during breathwork
- Tingling or light buzzing in your hands, feet, or face. A harmless shift in CO₂ levels.
- Feeling warm, floaty, or pleasantly lightheaded, especially in activating practices.
- Emotions arising or tears coming. The breath can gently surface what you're carrying.
- Yawning or sighing. Your body releasing tension. Let it happen.
When to stop
Stop and breathe normally if you feel sharp chest pain, feel faint, or feel genuinely frightened. Sit or lie quietly and let the breath return to normal. There is no urgency.
Please consult your doctor before practicing if you are pregnant, have a cardiovascular condition, epilepsy, or have had recent surgery.
A short glossary
Words you'll encounter in the practices
- Pranayama
- Sanskrit for breath control, literally "extension of life force." The yogic tradition of using the breath as a tool for health, energy, and awareness.
- Prana / Qi
- The life force or breath energy described in Indian (prana) and Chinese (Qi, also written Chi) traditions. Breathwork practices often work with this energy, even if they don't name it.
- Retention (kumbhaka)
- Intentionally holding the breath, either after a full inhale ("retention on full") or after a full exhale ("retention on empty"). Kumbhaka is the Sanskrit term. Advanced practices use longer retentions; beginners can start with just a second or two.
- Somatic
- Body-focused. Somatic practices work through what you feel physically: sensation, posture, tension, rather than through thought. You'll see "somatic" used in trauma-informed practices.
You have everything you need.
Let's find you a practice.