Deep Dive: Tetany During Breathwork
Have you ever experienced tetany during breathwork?
Tetany often shows up as cramping or tingling sensations in your hands and feet, sometimes around your mouth, and some people call it “breathwork lobster hands,” because your hands can cramp up during it.
But here’s the thing:
There’s nothing to fear.
Tetany is temporary and usually holds a treasure within. It’s like your body’s way of speaking to you.
Physiologically, tetany happens when your breathwork deepens and your CO2 levels drop, which makes your blood more alkaline. This shift can lead to tetany sensations. But don’t worry; it’s common, especially in the beginning, and tetany most often eases up as you do more breathwork sessions.
Some people in the breathwork community, including myself, assign a deeper meaning to tetany: it might be your body’s way of asking you to let go of something. Instead of resisting it, embrace it as an opportunity for growth and healing. I always say that we have feel to heal!
Ask yourself: “What is it time for me to let go of?” It could be old traumas, fears, or negative thoughts holding you back. And exploring these emotions can lead to profound breakthroughs during breathwork.
So what you do you if tetany happens during your breathwork session?
Remember, you’re safe, and there are ways to manage it during breathwork:
You can focus on gentle, natural breathing, switching to nose breathing and stopping the conscious connected breath
You can try gentle movement or circling your body to release stagnant energy
You can also decide to go to this edge, taking it further, making tetany a positive part of your experience, all the while knowing it’s okay to back off when needed
I encourage you to reframe tetany as a gift, like a secret message waiting to be decoded. And the reason for this is, whether you’re new to breathwork or a seasoned conscious connected breather, there’s always more to discover and release.
Trust the journey, and let your breath guide you to deeper healing and transformation.
I look forward to breathing with you soon! Schedule here.