Should Christians practice breathwork?

Defining the term, some questions for consideration, and why we should care

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Faith and Health series to respond to this important question:

Should Christians practice breathwork?

I was not planning to write about this, but I saw a note here on Substack recently that stated, as Christians, that we should never participate in breathwork. It was listed alongside witchcraft and crystals.

The note caused me to pause and ask myself a couple of questions: 1. Are you talking about what I’m talking about? And 2. How common is this view among believers?

I believe that our breath is a gift from God and a powerful tool for our well-being, but I do understand why there can be concerns among Christians. So let’s spend some time examining this topic.

Photo by Amie Roussel on Unsplash

Definition makes a difference

First off, what are we even talking about here?

Google’s AI overview says breathwork “refers to a set of techniques that involve conscious and intentional control of breathing patterns that aim to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being by influencing the body’s physiological processes and psychological states.”

According to this definition, any type of thought or attempt to adjust our breathing pattern would qualify as breathwork.

In that case many groups of people practice breathwork. This would include: world class athletes, people with respiratory conditions, those having panic attacks, and even those managing their daily stress with a few deep breaths.

I don’t think this is how the author of the note intended the term. But let’s be careful in how we use it, or at least further define it, especially if we include it in an always or never statement.

There is a diverse group of activities that qualify as breathwork, ranging from basic physiological exercises all the way to religious practices.

Here are some examples of that scope:

• Diaphragmatic, or deep, breathing for stress or pain management

• Paced breathing, such as 6-6 resonant breathing, or 4-7-8 calming breathing

• Long exhales or physiological sighs for stress relief and anxiety

• Eastern traditions, such as pranayama and qigong, view breath as a vital life force and use it to influence their energy or conscious states

• Modern-day breathwork practitioners use it to cultivate self-awareness, empowerment, personal awakening, and spiritual transformation

• Types of holotrophic breathing, which have a similar effect on the body as taking psychedelics, can use terminology such as tapping into our inner guiding intelligence, with the thought that all our answers lie within

My experiences with breathwork

I have learned and practiced various forms of breath control that fall under the umbrella of breathwork. I’ve also taught deep breathing exercises to patients for stress and pain management, and participated in yoga classes with cues for breathing and sentiments of namaste.

In addition to the more science-driven books that I have read on breathing, I have also read The Wim Hof Method: Activate your full human potential, by Wim Hof, and Just Breathe: Mastering breathwork, by Dan Brulé.

Both of these books contain material that I have no issues with, some that I feel comfortable reframing Biblically, and a small percentage that I personally choose to refrain from.

Complicated questions

Yes, many forms of breathwork include spiritual aspects that are not consistent with our beliefs.

But does that mean we should abstain from it all? If not, then where should we draw the line?

Many of the exercises and forms of breathwork, including those tied to religious practices, have significant, measurable benefits for our body and mind.

Can we separate the physiology of a practice from the spirituality it professes?

Can we enjoy the benefits for our health and well-being in a way that also integrates with and enhances our faith?

Considerations for engaging in breathwork

As always, we should look to Scripture for our answers. Due to the diversity of breathwork and the complexity of the above questions, there is no specific contextual passage that we could clearly apply to all of our current situations.

Instead, let’s rely on key Biblical principles to guide our steps. Healthy activities should help us:

• Be good stewards of our bodies

• Love and edify others

• Love and draw near to God

If practicing breathwork strengthens us in all three of these areas, far be it from me to say it’s not a “Christian” thing to do.

That said, we won’t know if it does unless we begin and continue the practice for a while. How do we know whether or not to even start?

Here are some questions, divided into categories, that I would consider before engaging in certain types of breathwork:

Prayer for discernment

• Have I stopped to ask God about this?

• Have I taken the time to listen for direction?

Clarifying purpose

• Why am I doing this?

• Is it tied to Biblical principles?

Level of knowledge

• What is my understanding of the science of what is happening to me?

• Does having this knowledge make a difference in how I relate to what I’m doing, either physically or spiritually?

• Am I able to reconcile what is happening with my faith in God, or do I fear other spiritual forces?

Practice setting

• Is the environment supportive of my Biblical perspective or does it feel uncomfortable or hostile?

• Are the cues I’m receiving allowing me to focus on my breath in a spiritually healthy way?

Individuality

• How sensitive am I, physically and spiritually, to new practices?

• Do I have a heightened feeling of safety or danger during the exercise?

Ongoing assessment

• How do I feel during and after–physically, mentally, spiritually?

• Is the practice continuing to align with Biblical principles?

Breath is a beautiful gift

Why, if this is such a sensitive area, go to all this trouble of discerning what to do?

Because–if we truly believe it’s His breath in our lungs, then shouldn’t this be a pathway to worship, not fear?

Neglecting or fearing our connection with our breath is missing out on a beautiful gift that God has given us. As it says in Job 33:4 - The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Yes, like every good gift, it can be twisted to serve our own purposes: control, self-empowerment, enlightenment apart from Him.

It can be made into an idol: a universal, impersonal god, an end in itself rather than a mere taste of the goodness of our God.

But let’s remember, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:4 - we know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”

We also know, as it says in James 1:17 - every good and perfect gift is from above. Why not spend time enjoying this wonderful gift God has given us?

We can do this while graciously recognizing that we are recipients, not the architects of our breath. It is not a power to be wielded. We cannot manufacture, but must instead trust God with the outcomes.

So yes, it is complicated. There are risks of diving in and diluting or even drifting away from our faith.

But if wisely and prayerfully practiced, it can grow beautiful fruit in our own lives and for the Kingdom of God.

So here’s my rallying cry, take it or leave it:

Let’s notice, not ignore, focus on rather than fear, celebrate, not shut down, this gift of breath.

Let’s acknowledge the complexity, awe, and mystery of the breath the Creator has filled us with.

And finally, let’s be intentional in how we interact with it in a way that glorifies the Giver and serves His purposes!

---

Thank you for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and experiences. If you practice breathwork regularly, have you noticed any effect on your faith? If you have avoided certain forms of breathwork, what are your major concerns?

---