8 unusual things
There's more to breathing than first meets the eye
The guy had lost his mind. I was sure of it.
I also thought he was the most arrogant man I’d ever met.
But there was something magnetic about him too. Something I couldn’t stop listening to.
Lay down and I’ll show you something that’s more uplifting than coffee and feels better than sex.
Almost to prove him wrong, I laid down and waited for instruction.
He then pressed play and some music started.
After 20 minutes of deep breathing followed by a breath hold, I was converted.
That experience was the catalyst for my 8 year ongoing journey. As cheesy as it sounds, it changed my life.
I couldn’t believe something as simple as breathing could hold such hidden depths.
I also couldn’t believe these eight unusual things.
1. Your nostrils take turns breathing
A few thousand years ago, yogis in the East developed a series of breathing exercises called pranayama (prana means life force energy in Sanskrit and yama means control). As they were experimenting with the different ways to breathe, they discovered that the body has a natural rhythm that alternates from side to side every 90 minutes or so. This is called the nasal cycle.
During these 90-minute cycles, one nostril is more open than the other. This opening and closing is mostly due to the flow of mucus and other liquids inside the brain exerting pressure on brain tissue. It’s a perfectly normal and necessary process for removing toxins. However, because each side of the nose connects to each hemisphere of the brain and each hemisphere of the brain has different qualities associated with it, we can trace the breath through each nostril to better understand what is going on inside the brain.
When the left nostril is more open, for example, the right side of the brain will be more active so we’re more likely to feel creative and/or imaginative. When the right nostril is more open, the left side of the brain will be more active so we’re more likely to feel detail-oriented and/or logical. It can work the other way around too and that’s where breathing exercises really come into their own. For example, if I’m struggling to focus, I might be operating more from my creative right brain so breathing in through my right nostril to activate my left brain could help balance things out. Similarly, if I want to enhance my creativity, I can breathe through my left nostril for a few minutes to activate my right brain a little more.
Take a moment to connect to your breath - Can you feel which side of your nose is more open right now? As you continue reading, notice if/when it changes.
2. Breathing can change your blood pH—fast
Even small changes in breathing can affect the acidity/alkalinity of your blood (via CO₂ levels), which impacts things like muscle cramps, focus, and mood.
There are two different states when the body experiences when it comes to breathing: respiratory alkalosis and respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by breathing too deeply or too frequently (hyperventilation) and it depletes carbon dioxide, over-oxygenates cells, and raises alkalinity. When this happens, anxiety, dizziness, numbness in the hands and feet, and muscle spasms can be experienced.
Respiratory acidosis is its counterpart and is caused by shallow or inefficient breathing.
Carbon dioxide builds up and the body becomes too acidic. The most common causes of this are people with obesity, asthma, and pulmonary disease, or who smoke.
To remain in the sweet spot, breathe smooth, calm, consistent breaths in through the nose and breathe less.
3. Mouth breathing changes your face over time
Habitual mouth breathing (especially in children) can actually lead to changes in jaw shape, facial structure, and even posture. It’s linked to sleep apnea and chronic fatigue, too.
In extreme cases, it can pass down through generations, leading to things like under/overbites, shallower mouth palates and deviated septums.
The solution is easy, as is often the case when it comes to breathing: inhale through your nose.
4. Sighing resets your breathing rhythm
Sighing happens every 5-10 minutes and it’s one of the ways the body regulates itself. It relaxes the nervous system, releases built-up tension, increases oxygen uptake in the body, removes excess carbon dioxide, and lowers stress.
Thanks body!
5. Conscious breathing can boost immune markers
Practices like the Wim Hof Method, Soma Breath, and certain yogic pranayamas have been shown to increase adrenaline, lower inflammation, and improve resilience to stress.
These practices safely and intentionally stress the body out so it’s more prepared to manage stress in real life.
6. Breath awareness can literally shrink your amygdala
Your amygdala is the size of an almond and it’s the way the brain detects threats, cultivates survival instincts, and manages emotional control and behavioural patterns. It’s one of the biggest parts of the brain that’s affected by trauma.
Regular mindful breathing practices have been shown to reduce the size and reactivity of the amygdala, making us less reactive and more emotionally balanced. It’s out of sight, but it’s not out of mind.
7. Your breath rate syncs with music, speech, and emotion
Unconsciously, we mirror the breathing rhythms of people we’re listening to—whether we’re aware of it or not. This is especially true during music, storytelling, and emotional conversations. It’s one of the most beautiful ways we connect and tell each other we’re not alone.
8. Ancient texts saw breath as more than air—it was soul
In Sanskrit (prana), Greek (pneuma), Latin (spiritus), and Hebrew (ruach), the word for breath is also the word for spirit or life force. Breathing has always been magical and mystical to those who have explored it.
8 years ago, I was invited to open the door to my soul by using my breath as a vehicle to guide me through.
I haven’t looked back since and I don’t plan to anytime soon.
Thanks for reading!
See you next week :)
P.S. My new book - The Joy of Breathing - expands on these topics in a lot more detail. If you’re curious, grab a copy here.
Unusual doesn’t begin to cover it.