Reichian Breathwork, often associated with the pioneering work of Wilhelm Reich, is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the importance of the breath for emotional and physical well-being. 

Central to this approach is the concept of armoring – the physical and emotional tension stored in the body – and how breathwork can help release these tensions. This article delves into Reichian Breathwork, with a special focus on the belly and chest breathwork techniques, exploring their principles, methods, and benefits.

Wilhelm Reich was an Austrian psychoanalyst and psychotherapist who developed Reichian therapy in the early 20th century. He believed that unresolved emotional conflicts were stored in the body, manifesting as physical tension and somatic complaints. Reichian Breathwork builds on this foundation, emphasizing the role of your breath in releasing this stored tension and facilitating emotional healing.

• Releasing Armoring: According to Reich, armoring is the body's defense mechanism that stores emotional and physical tension. This armoring is thought to be a result of unresolved conflicts, emotional traumas, and societal conditioning. Reichian Breathwork aims to release the armoring by working with the breath. This release allows for a deeper experience of one's emotions and a greater sense of freedom.
• Breathing and Emotion: Reich believed that breath and emotions were deeply connected. Emotional suppression could manifest as restricted breathing, and conversely, releasing emotional tension could lead to freer and fuller breathing. In Reichian Breathwork, the focus on the belly and chest breathing techniques is essential. 
• Body-Mind Connection: This therapeutic approach acknowledges the interplay between the body and mind. It proposes that by releasing physical tensions, individuals can achieve emotional release and vice versa. Reichian Breathwork seeks to unblock the flow of life energy, often referred to as "bioenergy" or "orgone energy," by addressing muscular tensions and breathing patterns.

The Belly and Chest Breath Technique is one of the fundamental methods used in Reichian Breathwork. This technique aims to bring awareness to the breathing patterns and tensions held in the abdominal and chest regions, releasing blocked emotions and promoting relaxation.These techniques aim to address specific areas of tension and armoring in the body:

Belly Breathing

• Preparation: Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can lie down or sit in a relaxed position. When lying, you may want to have your knees bent with your feet flat on the floor. This can help get a fuller breath and feel more grounded in your legs. 
• Relaxation: Begin by taking a few deep breaths to relax your body. Focus on the breath, allowing it to become slower and deeper, centering yourself in the present moment.
• Belly Emphasis: During this technique, you should emphasize the expansion of your belly on the inhalation. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing the belly to rise. Keep the chest relatively still.
• Exhalation: Exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing any tension in your abdomen. The exhalation should be longer than the inhalation.
• Mindful Awareness: As you practice belly breathing, be mindful of any areas of tension or discomfort in your abdomen. This is a sign of armoring. With each breath, focus on releasing this tension and allowing your belly to expand fully.

Chest Breathing

• Chest Emphasis: In this technique, the emphasis is on the chest. Inhale through your nose, allowing the chest to expand while keeping the belly relatively still.
• Exhalation: Exhale slowly and deliberately, paying attention to any tightness or tension in the chest area. The exhalation should be longer than the inhalation.
• Mindful Awareness: As you practice chest breathing, observe any areas of tension or discomfort in your chest. These sensations represent potential areas of armoring. Focus on releasing this tension with each breath.

Belly and Chest Breathing

• Combining Abdominal and Chest Breathing: Continue to alternate between abdominal and chest breathing. This cycle should be slow and rhythmic, with a focus on complete inhalations and exhalations.
• Awareness of Tension: The Belly and Chest Breath Technique promotes physical relaxation and releases muscular tension. As you practice this technique, be aware of any physical or emotional tension that arises. Use your breath to release these tensions, letting go of any stored emotions.
• Enhanced Self-Awareness: By fostering a connection between the body and emotions, individuals can gain deeper self-awareness and a greater understanding of their emotional landscape. This technique can lead to better breathing habits and increased oxygen intake, benefiting overall health.

Reichian Breathwork, especially when using the belly and chest breathing techniques, offers numerous potential benefits:

• Emotional Release: By releasing physical tension, this approach can facilitate emotional release and help individuals process long-held emotions.
• Stress Reduction: The deep and mindful breathing techniques can reduce stress and anxiety.
• Physical Well-being: Reichian Breathwork may alleviate physical symptoms associated with armoring, such as chronic pain or discomfort.
• Greater Self-Awareness: Practitioners often report an increased awareness of their bodies and emotions, leading to personal growth and self-discovery.
• Emotional Freedom: This approach can help individuals break free from emotional patterns that have held them back, leading to greater emotional freedom.

Reichian Breathwork, with a focus on the belly and chest breathing techniques, offers a powerful way to address the stored emotional and physical tension within the body. By consciously working with the breath and releasing armoring, individuals can experience emotional release, reduced stress, and greater self-awareness. Reichian Breathwork is a valuable tool for those seeking emotional healing and a deeper connection with their bodies and emotions, promoting overall well-being with emotional and spiritual growth.

You can use this playlist for 3 rounds of combined belly and chest breathing, or belly only on R1, chest only on R2, and combined belly and chest on R3. Explore both options and use them as desired. Take the time to bring awareness to what arises in the various techniques. 

Track 1 - Center yourself with Coherent breathing for 5 mins. The breath rate is 5 x breaths per minute or inhale 6 and exhale 6. You can read more on Coherent breathing HERE

Track 2 - This is round 1 of breathing, starting at 30 seconds in. Go slow, you should get 20 breaths when using the music as a guide. Your focus is taking full expansive breaths. Fill the belly, then fill the chest, then let your breath fall away with an audible exhale. You can inhale through the nose of your mouth… Remember that mouth breathing is more intense, so listen to your body.

Track 3 + 5 - Exhale all the air out and either relax with a neutral breath or and gentle exhale retention and bring awareness to your experience, emotions and felt sensations. 60 seconds.

Track 4 - This is round 2 of breathing. Use the first 26 seconds to come back to a neutral breath before starting this round. When using the music as a guide for speed, you should get approx 25 full breaths.

Track 6 - This is round 3 or breathing. Use the first 36 seconds to come back to a neutral breath before starting this round. When using the music as a guide for speed, you should get approx 30 full breaths.

Track 7 - Use this track for a final exhale retention or simply come back to a neutral breath and relax. If doing an exhale breath retention, you may hold the breath out till 90 seconds, then take a deep breath in and hold for 30 seconds, then release with a loud audible sigh.

Track 8 - Use this time for either a seated meditation and reflection time, or lay down and take savasana/relaxation. It is important NOT to skip this integration time.

~ Thank you for reading! I hope you found this post informative and helpful. If you're interested in learning more about breathwork and the benefits it can offer, be sure to check out my upcoming events and workshops. I hold regular breathwork events in Sydney, as well as private, online and corporate wellness programs. And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more great content like this. Until next time, keep breathing deeply and living fully! ~

About Mark Moon

Mark is a breathwork and holistic wellness coach with over 25 years experience in the health and lifestyle space, teaching yoga, fitness, and mindfulness practices that support people to breathe better, move easier and get the most out of life. Mark's qualifications combine a background in NLP, Developmental Coaching, and Yoga Philosophy, which complements his ongoing studies in the field of Therapeutic Breathwork and mind-body therapies under the guidance of Jim Morningstar from Transformations USA. You can read more about Mark here.