Deep Conscious Breathing techniques have been practiced by humans for thousands of years, and for good reason. Below is just a fraction of the research studies demonstrating the positive effects of various techniques. You are encouraged to find them online and dig in!

What they all have in common is that the breathing is deliberate (aka “conscious breathing”), and deep because it begins with the diaphragm (not the ribcage)… just like the “Belly Button Breathing” taught in the book, Maven & the Magic Buttons, and modeled in our Magic Buttons Mobile App.

“What the elite athletes, champion martial artists, Navy SEAL warriors, and spiritual yogis have always known [is] when you control your breathing you can control your state of well-being and level of performance. So if you want to optimize your health, clear and calm your mind, and spark peak performance—the secret to unlock and sustain these results comes from a free and natural resource that’s right under your nose.”
~ Tony Robbins

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Conscious connected breathing involves deliberately breathing without pausing between the inhalation and exhalation, for an extended period (about an hour). With the support of an experienced practitioner, this practice often produces profoundly beneficial changes in emotional, mental and physical health, as well as spiritual well-being.

Currently known as Rebirthing-Breathwork, “Rebirthing” was the name originally given to Conscious Connected Breathing in the 1960s, by Leonard Orr. It was named as such because he, and many to follow, were able to recall and heal their birth trauma over the course of a series of hour-long Rebirthing-Breathwork sessions.

Around the same time, Dr. Stanislav Grof was discovering the same phenomenon, which he dubbed “Holotropic Breathwork“. Since then, numerous developments and variations of Conscious Connected Breathwork have emerged over the past half-century. These include Transformational Breath, Breath Mastery, Vivation, and a host of other brands.

A number of the studies listed below refer to “Rebirthing” rather than “breathing,” while others refer to “Holotropic” and “Transformational Breath®” or breath work. While the research on these therapeutic processes adds tremendously valuable contributions to our modern, evidence-based understanding of the positive effects of deep deliberate breathing, our program for children in schools does not involve these intensive methods.

Aldridge, David. “Philosophical Speculations on Two Therapeutic Applications of Breath”. Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2 (2001).

Benson, H, Dryer, T., and Hartley, L.H. “Decreased Oxygen Consumption During Exercise with Elicitation of the Relaxation Response.” Journal of Human Stress 4, 1978, pp.38-42.

Brown, R. and Gerbarg, P. Sudarshan “Kria Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part 1 – Neurophysiologic Model.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol 11, No 1, 2005, pp. 189-201.

Caldwell, C. and Himmat, K. Breathwork in body psychotherapy: Towards a more unified theory and practice. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, Vol 6 2011 – Issue 2, pp 89-101.

Collinge, William, Yarnold, Paul. “Transformational Breath Work in Medical Illness: Clinical Application and Evidence of Immuno-enhancement.” Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2 (2001).

Forbes, EJ, Pekala, RJ; “Psychophysiological effects of several stress management techniques.” Psychological reports 1993 Feb:72(1): 19-27.

Funderburk, James, Ph.D.: “Science of Breath”, Science Studies Yoga, Honesdale, PA, Himalayan Institute, 1977, pp. 36-413.

Greaney, H. Holistic modalities. Healing Breathwork. Beginnings 2002 May-June; 22(3) 12, 14.

Heyda A. (2000). An Impact of the Conscious Connection Breathing Training on Emotional States. [Wplyw Treningu Swiadomego Polaczonego Oddychania na Stany Emocjonalne.] Masters thesis. Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.

Holmes, Sarah W., Morris, Robin, Clance, Pauline Rose. “Holotropic Breathwork: An Experiential Approach to Psychotherapy.” Psychotherapy. 33, no.1, (1996): 114.

Jones E.(1985). Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Birth. Birth Psychology Bulletin., Spr.; Vol 6(1): 1-6.

Lalande, L., Bambling, M., King, R. et al. “Breathwork: An Additional Treatment Option for Depression and Anxiety?” Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (2012) 42: 113. doi:10.1007/s10879-011-9180-6

Lalande, L., King, R., Bambling, M. et al. “Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy: Development and Evaluation of a Brief Therapist Training Program.” Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (2016) 46: 107. doi:10.1007/s10879-015-9320-5

Matsumoto, M, Smith, JC. “Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and ABC relaxation theory.” Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2001 Dec; 57;(12): 1551-7.

McDonnell, L., Bowden M. “Breathing management: a simple stress and pain reduction strategy for use on a pediatric service.” Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. 1989; 12(5) 339-44.

Molokanov, M., Aminov, N. “Free Breathing and Development of Personality.” (Study using Panteleev’s Inventory on Self-Consciousness (PSC) and Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) 2002.) In press in Russia.

Peper, E.: “Comparison of Diaphragmatic Training Methods.” Proceedings of The 25th Annual Meeting of The Association for Applied Psycho-Physiology and Biofeedback, Wheat Ridge, CO: AAPB, 1994.

Peper, E., and Tibbets, V.: “Effects of Paced Breathing on Inhalation Volumes.” Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of The Association for Applied Psycho-physiology and Biofeedback, Wheat Ridge, CO: AAPB, 1990, pp. 157-59.

Rubin B.K. (1983). “Cognitive, Affective and Physiological Outcomes of Rebirthing.” Part of a doctoral dissertation. American University, Washington, DC.

Schuller, A. “The three R’s: relationship, reflexology and rebirthing“. Positive Health, 1999 Jan(36) 11-2.

Torgerson, L. (1997). “Rebirthing and Psychodrama: A Combination Therapy Study.” Masters thesis. Antioch University, Yellow Springs, OH.

Trevelan, J. “The uncharted mind: Autogenic training, bioenergetics and rebirthing.” Nursing Times: NT, 91, no. 14 (1995) 44.

Van Dixhoorn, J. “Cardiorespiratory effects of breathing and relaxation instruction in myocardial infarction patients.” Biological Psychology. 1998 Sep;49(1-2): 123-35.

Weber, S. “The effects of relaxation exercises on anxiety levels in psychiatric inpatients.” Journal of Holistic Nursing. 1996 Sep;14(3): 196-205.