Wilfried Ehrmann is an exceptionally experienced breathwork therapist, Co-Founder of the IBF (International Breathwork Foundation) and a prolific writer about therapeutic breathwork.
In this episode, we talk about the breathing techniques used in the Wim Hof Method vs. those of the Buteyko Method which are quite opposite at first sight regarding breathing style and mindset. In the WHM you breathe a lot, in the Buteyko Method, you breathe very little.
We go into questions of where each method comes from, how they affect physiology, whether there are people for whom the WHM might not be advisable, and how prolonged phases of intense breathing (e.g. forms of conscious connected breathing) can help you tap into your subconscious and heal from emotional stress and trauma.
Listen in on Wilfried’s profound knowledge about breathwork, and learn more about this magic key that helps you unlock your truest and deepest potential!
Epiphany Corner
- What sets WHM Adrenaline breathing apart from the Buteyko Method
- How breathing through the nose affects your physiology
- Why the Buteyko Method focuses on breath awareness
- Who might profit from the Buteyko Method
- What conscious connected breathing is and how it is used in breathwork therapy
- How breath retentions introduce phases of parasympathetic states vs. prolonged phases of sympathetic activation in connected breathing
- Who should avoid forceful breathing
People could learn to change their breathing habits and […] their health state improved.
I am having a difficult time figuring/desiding whether to breath inn thru my nose or mouth, i find it esyaer to breath thru my nose but i get deeper into it, breathing thru the mouth. I think my question is if i breath thru the noes do i lose out? reason i ask is i also feel hotter when breathing thru the mouth, but do get verey dry mouth wim says it does not matter but after listing there is a big difference between inhaling thru the nose or thru the mouth, thanks for any information.
This is always a point which is confusing many people. You can simply get more air into your lungs with inhaling through your mouth. If it gets dry just try to switch to nose-breathing for a while or drink some water.
Under normal conditions (not doing breathing exercises) I would recommend nose breathing: apart from a cleansed and warmed air your throat and lungs receive, you also get more supply of NO (nitrogen oxid), which is delatating your vessels and acts anti-inflammatory.
Hi I am suffering from anxiety (emotional stress) and mild depression. I have just completed the 10 week Fundamentals course (still doing daily breathing and cold showers) and a week ago I started doing twice daily ice baths 12 – 14C on average for 5 min. What I have noticed is a spike in my anxiety. After listening to this podcast I wounder if I should stop, Wim says is good for depression etc,, however your quest seemed to think not, Please let me know your thoughts
Hows it going? still doing the wim breathing? If so hows it now? I was thinking you could also deep slow breathing as well. basically bueteyko method.
A great podcast. It seems though that Wilfried does not know a lot about Buteyko and the science behind it. It would be great to have Patrick McKeown on the podcast. He know a lot about Wim Hof Method too.
It would be good to ask Patrick McKeown along as Martin suggests as Patrick is a an excellent Buteyko practitioner and also works with top athletes. He can explain the science – and Buteyko is steeped with scientific evidence e.g. the Bohr effect
We are working on this…
Are there transcripts? Audio-only formats drive me crazy because I read many times faster than normal conversation speed.
Sorry, we do not provide transcripts.
I have been doing Buteyko for around 20 years (UK).
It knocked my lifelong asthma on the head fir many years. I didn’t even practise it for as many weeks as recommended initially, because it started working quite soon. My inhalers reduced down to almost nothing for many years, although I never stopped carrying them. I found I could usually stop an attack by the method.
Recently, following a chest infection, I have been using them a bit more, but I hope this will clear up soon.