Recently, I was passing through a dreadful phase where everything seemed hopeless, everyone I ever knew felt unknown and scary. The whole thought of ‘being alone and with no one besides’ making my head and heart go bonkers, with all those unexplainable stress and feelings.
And that is when, one of my well-wishers advised me to try the SOMA Breath technique and here I am reminiscing it’s benefits with you through my own personal experience. So, let’s start.
What is SOMA Breath?
SOMA Breath is a breathing technique developed in association with Pranayama, visualisation, musical sound healing and personalisation. When performed it allows our bodies, soul, and mind to get recharged instantly and enter into the deepest stages of meditation.
Developed by Niraj Naik, also known as ‘The Renegade Pharmacist’, this breathing system focuses on all-round healing of our senses. Thus, no matter if it’s emotional turmoil or physical ailments for which you are looking for an escape, performing this practice can help you out as you want.
How does SOMA Breathing work?
Claimed to be built upon the foundations of ancient civilisation’s mantra to a ‘happy and healthy life’, the SOMA breathing is unlike any other breathing forms. The practice involves coupling up the breathing practice with modern technological advances, such as brainwave music and guided inner sensing to efficiently tap on one’s own spiritual core.
When done properly, with every breath our senses calm down, allowing us to enter into the deepest stages of meditation. The practice further works on the breath retention technique, also known as Intermittent Hypoxia Training (IHT).
This is when our bodies start building up carbon dioxide levels, forcing our senses to thrive on lower oxygen levels, and while it may seem a risky method, it actually prevents the pace of oxidative stress in our bodies. Thus, as a result our red blood cells become stronger with newer blood arteries forming up and enhancing blood flow all over the body.
Moreover, due to the sudden pressure to give the ultimate best, our mind is forced to stay clearer, focused, thereby eradicating any leftover negative energies that might be colliding with the subconscious. In the end performing regular SOMA breathing brings about positive changes to both our physical and psychological constitution, ensuring a complete recovery.
Does SOMA Breathing work?
Although this wellness form has a huge fan following from all over the world, it also has its own share of critics that claim the practice to be a ‘marketing facade’. However, according to many reports and studies, you will be amazed to find that the SOMA Breathing has a myriad of real-life usage.
Like discussed above, spiritual energy is the basis of our very being, and therefore understanding how it works can come handy in numerous ways. The same is even confirmed by a study done by NASA, where leading scientists came together to measure the brainwaves of individuals practising the above-said breathing practice, and the results were absolutely phenomenal.
The study proved that performing the practice regularly helped greater emotional release, deep relaxation and procure Aha moments on a daily basis. The individuals that were part of the study were confirmed to have enhanced reception to Beta waves and could easily destress from any given ailment. So, this could be a real life saver for anyone who has a history with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or is susceptible to overthinking.
How to practice the Breathing system?
A fact that is unknown to many, SOMA Breathing is divided into different techniques with variable difficulty levels. These levels have all their unique benefits which users can choose from according to their respective needs. Below is a detailed breakdown of these combinations, So, do give it a thorough read for a detailed understanding.
Omkar
Starting with the basic one, this level includes chanting of the Aum/Om Mantra. Often considered as the first step to getting into deeper phases of meditation, repeating the Omkar with every inhale and exhale is believed to have immense benefits on one’s body and mind. Doing this opens up blocked pathways, letting the body and mind to calm down after a long, tiring day at work. It also cools down the body and gets the mind ready and all focused for further development into the breathing system.
Anulom Vilom/Nadi Shodhana
One of the highly sought after and beneficial Pranayama, performing Anulom Vilom along with SOMA Breathing has ample health benefits for the user. The technique of breathing through alternate nostrils at a given time serves as a negative energy emancipator. So, as you bid farewell to irrelevant worries and stress, your brain starts working in its full capacity, meaning better efficiency in whatever you might be doing.
Bhastrika
Best advised for individuals with chronic cough and cold, Bhastrika along with the breathing practice energises the body and mind while simultaneously detoxifying the body. This is also greatly recommended for balancing any Ayurvedic Doshas that the person might be going through and is known to work the best when done regularly. Bhastrika involves forceful inhaling and exhaling which clears the nasal pathways making way for clean fresh air.
Kapalbhati
Kapalbhati includes quick and forceful exhalation of inhaled air while pulling in the abdomen muscles. Therefore, in this level the individual has to practise SOMA breath while focusing more on their abdominal muscles. When done properly, it can serve as a relief from severe gastric issues, sinus related headache, and get rid of fatigue, while making the stomach walls stronger for faster and complete digestion.
Kumbhaka
Next, performing Kumbhaka, that is holding breath during inhalation or exhalation is also highly effective in ensuring a complete body performance. Retaining your breath aids your body to adjust to the lower oxygen and more carbon dioxide levels and hence operate optimally in all given conditions. In the end, this also helps promote our healing capabilities, build tolerance levels to increase carbon dioxide content in our bodies and fasten deep meditation skills.
Nisshesha Rechaka
Now this one is designed specifically for students or individuals who need heightened focus in their jobs. In this particular level, a person is required to hold their breath after exhalation for the maximum time possible to create intermittent hypoxia. Performing the exercise regularly enhances spatial learning, memory, concentration and lends a tremendous aid in maintaining overall health.
Apart from the above-mentioned levels, SOMA breathers can also opt for Slow Rechaka (slow exhalation), Savitri Pranayama (rhythmic breathing), and Kaki Mudra (inhaling air through mouth) for other health benefits. It is essential to remember that each one of these levels act differently to each other and hence they need to be done in the right way.
So, in short it is not wrong to say that SOMA Breathing is actually a transformative and hypnotic experience that includes all favourable Pranayamas with the most efficient way of air circulation from in and out of our lungs.
Who should not perform SOMA Breathing?
While SOMA Breathing is specially catered to the needs of all and is exclaimed to be safe for all, people with below conditions need to be extra careful when opting for the system.
- High blood pressure
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD-II and COPD-III)
- Acute Somatic and Viral diseases
- Epilepsy
- Heart issues or with pacemakers
- Intolerance to oxygen insufficiency
- Terminal illness or with symptoms of decompensation
Given their already compromised immune system and intake of powerful medicines, the breathing system might not be the best option for their body. It could cause them severe consequences which can greatly affect their life. So until and unless green-flagged by your doctor, jumping into these risky so-called ‘health and wellness trends’ is never advisable.
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