A normal healthy human is 95-100 percent saturated with Oxygen (O2) in their daily state. Unfortunately, due to stressors in daily life, our oxygen is not getting into the muscle and tissue cells because we are not breathing in a manner that efficiently utilizes and distributes the O2 we breath in. Stress, anxiety, aches and pains, all affect our breathing and mindlessly we over breath, breath through our mouths, and sometimes even holding our breath, without even being aware. Taking in too much oxygen can cause oxidative stress to the body, likened to oxidation of metal which then rusts and breaks down. We are releasing Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is needed for efficient oxygen utilization. Carbon Dioxide is a vital molecule for a healthy respiratory function and it “cleans up” our body by releasing toxins when we exhale.
Within our Soma Breath practices, we practice brief periods of intermittent hypoxia. Hypoxia is a state of low or lower than normal oxygen. Intermittent hypoxic training takes place after a few to several minutes of rhythmic breathing (which builds up O2) after which, we breath fully in and then we release all of the air from our lungs and go into an unstrained breath hold (empty lung phase). As we hold the breath out, the O2 is circulating, being utilized and dropping, which can be demonstrated by wearing a pulse oximeter during the practice. Although I don’t recommend doing this regularly, as it takes away from the experience, which, ideally, can take us into states of complete surrender and bliss. The sessions can be powerfully transformative and healing. Once you see and experience the feeling, you will know what is happening during your practices. The longer we are able to hold our breath, the more 02 – C02 exchange happens.
With our breath work practices we are training ourselves to be more oxygen efficient and more tolerant of C02, which typically doesn’t spend enough time in the body to do its job. Similar to high altitude training that many athletes do to improve their performance, Intermittent Hypoxic training offers many of the same benefits from the comfort of your desired space. Our breath holds are a much milder process, but as we continue in our practice, and as our breath hold times increase, we build cardiac strength, endurance, resilience, balance the nervous system, heal the body and create a healthier overall state.
PLEASE NOTE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR BREATH HOLDS: IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, UNDER 12, HAVE ANY SERIOUS ILLNESS, RECENT SURGERY, EPILEPSY, PACEMAKER, CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA, COPD I & II PLEASE DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH!!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014976342200207X
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Wow, I am so glad I stumbled upon this post about Intermittent Hypoxic Training! It sounds like a fantastic way to improve my fitness and endurance. Thank you for sharing this information and inspiring me to try something new.
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My pleasure! It is life enhancing , at the very least, if not life changing 💚🌎
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