Just before the breath retention phase you extend your exhale. This allows you to tap into the power of the vagus nerve, switch off stress and connect with your subconscious mind during the breath retention phase.

In Sanskrit, the word Kumbhaka means “breath retention”. There are two types of Kumbhaka used in SOMA Breath practices:

Sahita

Where the breath is held intentionally. SOMA Breath uses Antara Kumbhaka, where you hold your breath with your lungs full of air, and Nisshesha Rechaka Kumbhaka, which is holding your breath after exhaling, beyond the comfort zone.

Kevala

Kevala is more like a respiratory stillness where you don’t have to make any conscious effort to hold your breath. Your breath can just pause by itself, without any feeling of needing to breathe in or out. It is a magical state to be in.

The Secret Tool Of The Superhuman Yogis

Life is just a series of inhales and exhales. When you press pause on your breath, you press pause on life itself. You go into a very deep meditative state. Your mind becomes still and your thought files reassemble. It is like the defrag process on your computer when it becomes slow and cluttered in order to make it run faster. Pausing your breath is your personal defrag button if done in the right way.

In Nisshesha Rechaka Kumbhaka, your brainwaves drop into low alpha, possibly even theta, and you become at one with your subconscious mind. Your power of intention and self hypnosis is dramatically increased. 

When you hold your out breath for long enough, you trigger a positive stress response in the body so that it adapts to a low oxygen environment. This is called Intermittent Hypoxia.

This leads to the production of more red blood cells, new blood vessels, and even dormant parts of your brain waking up. It has an overall strengthening effect over your body.

Another side effect of this process is that it generates heat in the body. It is the same technique used by Himalayan Yogis to survive extremely cold conditions.

Getting the dose of hypoxia correct is very important. Too much hypoxia for too long can lead to more harm than good. Too little and it will not work at all.

What To Say During The Breath Holds?

People experience the breath retention phases in different ways. Generally, people express a deep sense of peace. It’s a great moment where mind and body become still and quiet.

Sometimes less is more. You might find yourself inclined to guide the meditation or say things during the breath hold. It’s also just fine to just let the music do the talking here. The official SOMA Breath music is especially designed for these moments.

This is a very personal space and people will be experiencing profound states of meditation. It might be better to give them space. You can save the guided imagery for later, or you can throw in a few phrases to remind them of their intention.

Too much talking might be distracting, so use your best judgement as a facilitator and feel the room. Allow yourself to also relax and enjoy the music as well.

Moving To The Next Phase

After the out-breath hold, when you cannot hold your breath any longer, you will feel a charge of energy really building up in your pelvic region. This is your root chakra releasing your prana life force energy and stimulating your sacral chakra, the root of your creative sexual energy.

Then, the next phase begins.