The sympathetic system controls “fight-or-flight” responses, it prepares the body for strenuous physical activity. The parasympathetic system regulates “rest and digest” functions, it conserves and stores energy to regulate basic body functions like digestion.

Breathing is direct line of communication to our nervous system: short, fast breaths can switch on the "fight or flight" sympathetic nervous system while deep, slow breaths switch us into the "rest and digest" mode of parasympathetic nervous system.

When someone says they are doing “breathwork,” what is it they are doing? If you’ve done breathwork in yoga, is that the same thing?