Have you ever felt cold or stiff hands during Breathwork?

Breathwork through a Western and Eastern science pov, or newer Quantum Physics

Have you tried Breathwork and felt freezing body, stiff hands or jaws? Scientifically it may point to an imbalance of oxygen vs carbon dioxide, or mineral deficiencies. 

Newer science, for example quantum physics, may point to where in our experience this energy is stored, hidden, forgotten. 

Tetany Hands, Lobster claw hands… 

Breathwork can be a smooth and lovely ride. Other times it might feel as if your hands are cramping up and they get so stiff that you are afraid you will never get them back! It's called Tetany (tetany, lobster, claw hands) and you may feel them during breathing exercises. The sensation can also be felt in other areas, for example still jaws, curled lips, sensations in your belly or thighs… 

This is quite common in active Breathwork styles of Conscious Breathwork techniques that has an intense breathing pattern. For example in deep breathing practice 2-part breath, Vivation Breathwork, Rebirthing Breathwork, Transformational Breathwork, Wim Hof Breathwork, Holotropic Breathwork. And it is not dangerous and rest assured- your hands and jaws will come back to normal.  

Cramping hands during Breathwork

The scientific reason for your cramping, or tightness in the hands or around the mouth during Breath work, can be an imbalance between the oxygen and carbon dioxide. Inhales and exhales. If the exhale is pushed too much, we eliminate more carbon dioxide than the body produces, causing involuntary muscle contractions, or even hyperventilation. 

If you have underlying mineral imbalances ( Low magnesium, calcium or potassium, malfunction in the Parathyroid glands, Parathyroid hormone deficiency or excess phosphate due to allergy/asthma inhaler) you might also affect you feeling Tetany.

The energetic reasoning behind stiff fingers during breathwork 

We can also look from a different perspective, or dimension, related to holding onto emotional, mental or physical tension.

Energy can not be destroyed - only transformed

Everything is energy, and energy can not be destroyed - only transformed. Energy can be bound up in our bodies from any kind of stress. Stress physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Our bodies are made up of approximate 60% water. When water is heated it vaporizes. When it's freezing cold it takes a solid form. And anger, tension, numbness, even old stuff stored has a different temperature than new. 

How our energy shifts, and the integration of such, can remind the body of a free flowing state. And a change can be instant! Even if it is a long term pattern that shifts. 

The meridians - our inner highway of energy

In eastern medicine (TCM, traditional chinese medicine, japanese energy medicine…) we can learn that everything is connected in our body much like a system of lakes and rivers.  Our organs being the lake, the meridians transforming energy, the rivers. Our inner landscape and systems are meant to flow effortlessly. But when we get energetic blockages, our body can be our map of where you may have things stored or stuck.

As the meridians are connected we can trace the sensations. The heart meridian might ask us what we are holding on to. The throat, mouth might point to something we are not saying or admitting. The feet and legs, might show us the frustration or even trigger something to run away from, or run to.

Soften your body during and after breathwork

If your body gets too stiff, or you get scared during a breathwork session - soften your breathing, move lightly, tap your body, and breathe slowly through your nose (if the breathwork practice is through your mouth). The final integration phase of breathwork can also help to release any remaining tension. 

If you have had a very high degree of intensity (emotionally or physically), or if you feel in distress, you may need longer time for down regulation. Water to hydrate, food to ground, pen to paper to get things moving, or reach out to me (or your breathwork facilitator) for tips on breath therapy techniques that will quickly land you in your body and calm down. 

Breathwork is a felt experience

Breathwork is a highly felt experience, even the temperatures within. 

Challenging? For sure sometimes

It can also bring you new room for creations and space within. And deep belly breathing comes with multiple benefits for the physical, energetic, mental, spiritual and emotional body. It can actually create altered states of consciousness. Read about benefits here

Breathwork Online - in the comfort of your home

Join in for group or private sessions of online breathwork, which is as powerful as in person. You will feel the Reiki Energy during the online sessions too. If you have a history of high anxiety,  are pregnant or anything else you have questions about - reach out in forehand so that you do not have to stress about it. 

Breathwork Stockholm - community and a held space for your inner journey

Hidden away at Östermalm, Nybrogatan, you find the very cosy Loft Studio. The Breathwork & Reiki sessions are hosted by Kia Agerhem, Breathwork facilitator and Reiki energy master about 3-4 times/month, usually including Tarot if the request is given. 

Read testimonials about Kia here

Corporate Breathwork to get the team together

If you are a modern leader, looking for a powerful tool to increase performance or simply releasing your employees full potential, as well as reducing stress, increase focus and overall well-being - Breathwork is an effective tool.

Kia has over 15 years of experience in various executive roles in companies, board rooms, inspiring team and leading company transformations and visions, and most of all inspiring change. She moves fluidly between science and the more not-knowing, but felt, aspects. 

Reach out for Company Breathwork, Breath practices or Key Note about the Brain, Nervous System, Breath, Energy and how it is all connected.

With Breathwork, the results are immediate and undeniable.