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Comment by prox

3 days ago

I used to teach various pranayama’s (yogic breathwork) and we tend to go easy, especially if you are not going to go into a 3 year seclusion as a lifetime yogi.

All practices were 3 breaths only. If you really enjoyed one or the other, you can do them a few times a day.

Because exactly as you say, you don’t want to disturb the natural pattern. If you have an unhealthy breathing pattern, the idea is that yoga, rest and relaxation will take care of the rest.

Beyond that we are not doctors, so if I noticed something peculiar with someone’s breathing, or it came up, I would direct them to a professional.

I never liked the Hof method, it works on the wrong side of the nervous system for me, as it’s too activated. I feel it’s good perhaps if you got to do something stressful and you need resilience.

Yeah the Wim Hof breathing feels more like a challenge or test that you come down from than a relaxing thing. Consistent with his "jump in ice water" thing.