Why Breathwork Made You Feel Worse Instead of Better

Breathwork vs Pranayama for Nervous System Regulation Feeling more anxious after breathwork? You're not alone! Many popular breathing exercises stimulate your nervous system, which can actually increase anxiety. This video explains why choosing the right breathing techniques is crucial for your mental health. In this video, Dr. Dawn Browning, somatic scientist and certified Pranayama teacher, explains the key difference in the breathwork vs pranayama conversation: self-awareness and energy alignment. You’ll learn how to assess your arousal state, avoid the most common breathwork mistake, and begin a breath practice that supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and long-term self healing. ☑️ Understand why activating breath techniques can backfire ☑️ Discover that Pranayama builds interoception and vagal tone ☑️ Learn the first question to ask before ANY breath practice ☑️ Get grounded in a breath system rooted in the Gitananda Yoga tradition 🌿 Start the 7-Day Energy Reset – a breath-based digital course to help you stabilize your energy in under 10 min a day. Find it here 👉🏼 https://www.holsolwellness.com/yt3-so 🎁 Download the Steady State Reset A free, 4-minute guided breathing practice to calm a busy, anxious mind. 👉 https://www.holsolwellness.com/yt3-ssr ⏱️ Video Chapters: 00:00 – Why breathwork might make you feel worse 01:00 – What most breathwork teachers don’t teach 01:30 – Meet Dr. Dawn Browning (Pranayama teacher & scientist) 02:00 – Signs of nervous system dysregulation 03:00 – Why some breath practices backfire 04:00 – How Pranayama differs from modern breathwork 05:00 – Interoception and energetic self-awareness 06:00 – Pranayama benefits: decision-making, writing, emotional clarity 07:00 – Prana explained: the life force you don’t create 08:00 – What to ask before any breath practice 08:40 – How to match your breath to your energy (and what’s next) ✨ I'm curious if breathwork has ever made you feel worse? Drop a “yes” in the comments and know you're not alone.