What is the Difference Between Breathwork and Pranayama? – Rachel Scott

With so many wonderful and transformative breathwork practices out there in the world (Wim Hof, Tummo, the “psychological sigh”), it starts to get a little confusing. How exactly are breathwork and pranayama different?

To answer this question, we need to look at the intention for each kind of practice.

With a “breathwork” practice, our intention is usually to to enhance our physiological and cardiovascular capacity in some way. We may be training our body to be more CO2 resistant, opening the breathing accessory muscles so that we can enjoy fuller breaths, or prompting the diaphragm to contract and release more effectively. While some of these practices (Tummo comes to mind!) are incredibly invigorating, there are also more subtle breathwork practices intended to calm the nervous system, such as extending the exhale or practicing a psychological sigh.

Pranayama has a different intention. The intention of pranayama is to direct the flow of prana (subtle energy, life force) within the body, often as a preparation for meditation. Through harnessing and directing this energy, the subtle body becomes more alive and less stagnant, and prana can potentially be directed up the central channel (susumna nadi). Yogis also often use bandhas (“locks” or “valves” to direct energy) and mudras (hand positions, shapes) to direct this energetic flow. From the outside, pranayama practice usually appears subtle and quieting.

Intention

• The intention of breathwork is to enhance our physiological capacity in some way
• The intention of pranayama is to direct prana

Zebras and Painted Horses

Some practices may look the same. For example, someone wanting to manage their anxiety may practice a counted breath where they inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds to calm their nervous system. A yogis may do the exactly the same practice and call it asamavritti. However, the difference is the intention. One practitioner is breathing to relieve stress while the other is doing it to move prana in the body and prepare for meditation.

Enjoy Them All

Both breathwork and pranayama can be nourishing and transformational. As a practitioner, there’s no real need to worry overly much about labels. After all, activities that impact one layer of the body (or kosha, in yoga speak) will naturally impact all the others! Enjoy the practice with curiousity and see how the practice changes how you feel.

However, as yoga teachers, it’s helpful to define our intention for the practice so that we are consistent and mindful about the journey we are creating for our students. For example, when teaching breathwork, we may not be overly concerned about creating a quiet and calm space. However, pranayama may benefit from a quiet space where it’s more accessible for students to direct their awareness inwards.

Happy teaching!

Interested in learning how to teach pranayama? Check out our pranayama and meditation course.

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