If you have any of the conditions below, please seek your doctor for medical advice before you proceed with the adaptations (see “ADAPTATION” below).
 

PREGNANCY
Strenuous/rapid breathing is not recommended because it can reduce the oxygen available to the baby, and it may change your blood pressure.

CONVULSIVE DISORDERS & EPILEPSY
The faster connected breath could lead to hyperventilation, which could accentuate epileptic brain waves - like spikes, sharp waves, and spike-and-wave discharges.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ANEURYSMS, HISTORY OF HEART ATTACKS, BRAIN HEMORRHAGE, MYOCARDITIS, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION)
If the breathwork session brings up traumatic memories and intense emotions, people experiencing heart conditions may stress their bodies and physiology in ways that could be harmful.

RECENT PHYSICAL INJURIES AND OPERATIONS (BONE FRACTURES, HERNIATED DISKS, DISLOCATED SHOULDERS OR KNEES, INCOMPLETELY HEALED SURGICAL WOUNDS)
People with these conditions may not have enough stamina and energy to maintain the connected breath for a longer period of time and could overwhelm their still-recovering bodies. The best course of action is to allow your body to heal from the injury or surgery completely before engaging in a full breathwork experience.

PSYCHOGENIC ASTHMA
People suffering from asthma for many years often develop some cardiovascular problems. If that is the case, it becomes risky to expose people to the intense emotional and physical stress that a breathwork session can bring up. 

ADAPTATION

SLOW DOWN and experiment with two different ways of doing a connected breath: 

• Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. No pauses between inhale and exhale, in a rhythm that seems appropriate for you. You can start very slow and increase the pace until you sense you have reached your optimal pace, without causing yourself harm. 

• Inhale and exhale through the nose only. No pauses between inhale and exhale, also in a rhythm that seems appropriate for you. Start very slow and increase the pace until you sense you have reached your optimal pace, without causing yourself harm. 

If you experience lightheadedness, cramping, shortness of breath or any other uncomfortable sensations during any of these practices, immediately stop the exercise, relax and return to breathing normally.