Not Just Deep Breathing… 😮💨
“Busting the Biggest Myths About Breathwork…”
In the wellness world, breathwork has become a bit of a buzzword; tagged onto yoga classes, meditation apps, and even TikToks. And while it’s wonderful to see more people tuning into the power of breath, it also means the practice is sometimes misunderstood… or worse, oversimplified.
So let’s clear the air.
Below are five of the most common breathwork myths - and the science-backed truths about what conscious breathing techniques can really do for your nervous system, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
🫁 Myth 1: “Breathwork is just deep breathing.”
It’s a common assumption - but breathwork is so much more than taking a big breath in and out.
There are dozens of specific techniques - rooted in both ancient traditions like Pranayama and modern methods backed by science. Some calm the nervous system (like box breathing), others energise (like Kapalabhati), and some help clear emotional blocks or trauma responses.
True breathwork is intentional, structured, and transformative—not just deep breathing.
🧠 Myth 2: “You only need breathwork when you’re stressed.”
It’s true that breathwork is amazing for stress—but that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Conscious breathing also builds resilience, sharpens focus, boosts circulation, and deepens your connection to self. Just like we brush our teeth daily to prevent decay, breathwork is a daily practice to support mental, emotional, and nervous system health.
It’s not just for “bad” days—it’s a tool for everyday life.
🙄 Myth 3: “Breathing is automatic—why would I need to train it?”
Yes, your body breathes for you.
But here’s the thing: how you breathe affects everything from heart rate to hormone levels to your brain’s perception of safety.
Thanks to modern life (hello, stress + screen time 😅), many people have developed shallow or dysregulated breathing habits. Training your breath helps you rewire healthier, more supportive patterns—ones that restore balance from the inside out.
Automatic doesn’t always mean optimal.
📚 Myth 4: “Breathwork isn’t science—it’s spiritual fluff.”
I hear this one a lot. And while breathwork can be spiritual, it’s deeply physiological too.
Studies show conscious breath practices can:
Lower blood pressure and cortisol
Improve heart rate variability (a key marker of nervous system health)
Activate the vagus nerve and parasympathetic response (rest & digest mode)
Reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
Breathwork is where biology meets mindfulness.
🔁 Myth 5: “One breathwork session will fix everything.”
Wouldn’t that be nice?
One session can bring a powerful shift—calm a racing mind, release emotion, or offer clarity. But just like exercise, the real magic happens with consistency.
Your nervous system thrives on safety, routine, and small, repeated signals that say “you’re okay”. Breathwork is one of the simplest ways to send that message - again and again, and again.
Healing isn’t a one-off. It’s a relationship with yourself - built one breath at a time.
🌀 Breathwork Facts vs Myths – The Truth?
Your breath is more than a survival function.
It’s your anchor. Your rhythm. Your quiet power.
At PranaLab, we blend Pranayama tradition with science to offer breathwork practices that meet you where you are—whether you’re seeking calm, clarity, or a reconnection with yourself.
If you’re based in Perth and curious about exploring breathwork beyond the myths, I invite you to experience it for yourself.
🧘♀️ Join a breathwork session this June
📖 Or dive deeper through more blogs on conscious breathing
Let’s bust myths—and breathe deeper.