118: Pranayama Myths & Misconceptions: Research Roundup

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja dive into the common misconceptions around breath work and Pranayama. Is breathwork really the new Pranayama? Is deep breathing indeed always better? Does breathwork really need to be intense to work? In this episode, we unpack these and other common misconceptions about Pranayama and breathwork.

Listen in to find ways to feel better in your life through a better understanding of Pranayama.

“Even as those boundaries of our breath capacity and aerobic capacity change, we still want to keep challenging that capacity to start to acquire those positive adaptations that come from that of oxygen utilization.” – Tiffany Cruikshank

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“We don’t know from the research that longer or more is better.” – Katja Bartsch

Show Notes:

• Myth 1: Breathwork is the new pranayama [3:07]
• Myth 2: The ultimate goal of pranayama is to fully control the breath [9:02]
• Myth 3: Pranayama must be practiced over long periods of time to see benefits [16:31]
• Myth 4: Ujjayi and/or deep breathing is a superior technique [22:29]
• Myth 5: Breathwork involving hyperventilation is life-changing, always [30:36]
• Myth 6: Only advanced practitioners should do Pranayama [37:31]
• Myth 7: Pranayama has one magic rhythm/ pattern [41:17]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Pranayama Yoga Teacher Training
• Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:
  • 85: Research Roundup: A Stroll Through the Breathwork Landscape
  • 87: The Science of Breathing Less: Research Roundup
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

“Having the goal of controlling the breath is a misconception. Our goal isn’t necessarily to conquer it, but to appreciate the ebb and flow and the importance of our breath rising to the occasion.” – Tiffany Cruikshank