In ancient and prehistorical societies, breath has been used as one of the principal tools for healing and self realization.
This is even reflected in the language:
Chinese - "Chi" Means air that we breathe, and also the energy of life
Hebrew - "Ruach" means both breath and creative spirit
Latin - "Spiritus" means both breath and spirit
When you give yourself permission to release, close your eyes and breathe faster and deeper to music, there is a physiological, psychological/somatic, and musical impact to consider.
Physiological Impact
Hyperventilation causes the loss of CO2 in the blood, and the body compensates by creating more. The process of CO2 creation lowers blood acidity so the blood in the body temporarily becomes more alkaline.
Higher blood alkalinity and lower CO2 levels results in decreased cerebral blood flow in some parts of the brain. One of the parts of the brain that is most heavily impacted is the frontal cortex which is a part of the default mode network (DMN).
The default mode network (DMN) is quieted in psychedelic sessions, in expert meditators and in breathwork sessions.
The default mode network components include:
- Main Lobes: Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC), Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)
- Other Lobes: Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Hippocampus, Lateral Temporal Cortex, Inferior Parietal Cortex
The DMN is the orchestra conductor of the brain, that controls which signals get precedence thus inhibiting certain other parts of the brain.
The DMN is active when not performing a specific task, and plays a main role in the creation of mental constructs, such as the Self or the Ego.
The DMN is important for survival but also results in a separation from others and nature.
When activity in the DMN falls off significantly, the ego mind can temporarily lose it's control over you. It also exerts inhibitory influence on other parts of the brain including limbic regions involving emotion and memory. This disinhibition could explain why previously unavailable emotions, memories and sometimes childhood traumas then float from the unconscious to the surface of awareness.
Psychological & Somatic Effects
Giving yourself the permission to release and surrender to the process can help the process begin even before the deep breathing starts.
Faster and deeper breathing can create symptoms that represent intensification of pre-existing psychosomatic (physical symptoms caused or aggravated by mental factors) and make it possible to trace these symptoms to their sources in the unconscious, such as traumatic biographical events, biological birth, transpersonal gestalts, etc.
Restricted breathing is associated with psychological resistance and defenses. Faster and deeper breathing typically loosens psychological defenses and leads to emergence and release of unconscious material.
"Neurons that fire together, wire together" - Every experience, thought, feeling and physical sensation triggers thousands of neurons, which form a neural network. When you repeat and experience, the brain learns to trigger the same neurons each time. Through this mechanism, regular breathwork strengthens the neural pathways to your "inner intelligence".
Impact of Music
Music has been used for centuries as a principle tool in shamanic practices, healing rituals and rites of passage.
Music is an essential component in the NeuroDynamic breathwork process. The combination of carefully chosen music, permission to release, and faster, deeper breathing are woven together in a cosmic dance of opening up, surrendering and letting go.
Source: NeuroDynamic Breathwork™️