breath work

noun

variants or breathwork

ˈbreth-ˌwərk 

: conscious, controlled breathing done especially for relaxation, meditation, or therapeutic purposes

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old physical and philosophical discipline from India that joins the mind and body together through breath work, or pranayama, and postures, or asanas.

—Hilary E. MacGregor

Some general principles of breathwork are: make your breathing slower, deeper, quieter, and more regular whenever you think about it; deepen the exhalation phase of breathing by squeezing more air out of the lungs at the end of each breath … and keep your attention on the breath more of the time.

—Andrew Weil

Examples of breath work in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meditation, movement, breath work and an overhaul of her diet grounded her. —Mattie Kahn, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024

Renowned Tantra and relationship expert Jan Day’s week-long retreats for men and women feature meditation, breath work, sharing circles and explorations utilizing dance and touch. —Amy Abrahams, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2024

With breath work completed, the only thing left was to take the plunge—6 minutes in 39 degree Fahrenheit water. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024

Meditation, breath work, and definitely my true church, which is walking by the water at Point Dume very early in the morning or at sunset. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2024

Hauge-Zavaleta has a litany beyond breath work and incantations: place one hand on your heart, tap a finger on your collarbone, splash cold water on your face, call a friend. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024

In addition to the creating the signs, visitors will participate in breath work and yoga, learn painting tips and listen to music. —Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2024

As well as physically encouraging the de-stressing of muscles with repetitive stretching and twisting, the integral breath work required triggers the body’s innate calm state, which helps induce sleep. —Georgia Day, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2023

Make time for things like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, breath work, or all of them! —Hannah Coates, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

breath work

noun

variants or breathwork

: conscious, controlled breathing done especially for relaxation, meditation, or therapeutic purposes

Western practitioners believe yoga's deeply relaxing breath work allows the body's healing abilities to take over.

—Norine Dworkin, Psychology Today