Wim Hof vs. HRV Breathing - Pranayama

Let's talk about some fundamentals of breath, and how they work in these 2 different systems.
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Thank you to Doug Gemmell for the amazing music!

[@otterpupp]

another great video! If I may add my 2cents... I took a weekend with Wim Hof a few years ago so I know a little about WHM. Another way to look at it is alternating hypocapnia / hypercapnia: modulating CO2 not O2. In WHM the hyperventilation is always immediately followed by breath hold, which does create the carbonization necessary for oxygen exchange (Bohr effect). Also WHM method eschews shivering during cold exposure, that will just amp up sympathetic, whereas the goal is to relax and go parasympathetic even in the face of intensity. I believe this is the basis of inner alchemy... the fusion of fire and water, sun and moon: fire (adrenaline) latent in water (kidneys), and water (acetylcholine) latent in fire (heart, aka ventral vagus), building prana/charge in the coil/cauldron of the intestines. Like you say, many people with a "leaky cauldron" could be unpleasantly or dangerously overstimulated, hence the long tradition for preparatory strengthening/purifying (asana, bandha, meditation, etc.). I think individually appropriate dosage (titration) is a key factor in safety. And it is much safer to cultivate HRV resonance breathing, which activates adrenergic "fire" and cholinergic "water" in a smooth and gentle natural oscillation (pendulation).

[@drc97086]

I do the WHM, but it has evolved for me over the last three years. I do 30 breaths, I do the inhales gently but reasonably full. At the last breath, I hold, pinch my nose, and hold for 50 heartbeats, feeling my heart beat. At breath 50, I dump my breath and go into my 3 minute hold, pinching my nose, and letting out air when it gets full. This has helped me immensely, in taking my attention out of my ‘head’, and centering it in my body. Developing the intuition to find what I need has been a godsend. ❤️💪😊

[@kaycumjoy5692]

I've been trying to understand your HRV method for a while. I'm more familiar with the pranayamic language, bhastrika, kumbaka, etc. With this video i finally understood what you meant by HRV. Turns out I'm already doing this in my pranayama!

[@rob28459]

Thanks for your explanations. That's exactly how I feel it, too. I use WHM successfully for 3 years to protect my body against illness and and HRV to develop my spirituality.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful, Robert!

[@tituspermaculture]

I think Wim Hof is using the exhaled breathe hold to build up carbon in the blood. Once he releases the breathe hold, he'll do a reoxygenation breathe. I think for meditation, your approach will provide the best internal state to get into deeper and deeper brainwave states. Wim Hof's main breathe technique is definitely a cleansing breathe but he is intentionally activating fight or flight with the intention of reestablishing homeostasis, at will. The spike in adrenaline caused by the extended breathe hold results in activation of the specific immune response. Might be useful too. I enjoy his breathing but as I have continued to refine my meditative processes, the other breathe techniques you teach have become essential knobs and levers in getting into deeper meditative states. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are a phenomenal teacher.

[@rkatz0]

Your approach to this question is VERY extraordinary. Wow. Rock and Roll.

[@dhiruparmar8908]

You are a Genuine Honest human being thank you so much for your information. I have learnt so much from you in a few video clips than all the years of reading hundreds of books and video clips. I wish i have met you before it would have saved me alot of years and stress practising meditation. May Peace Be With You.

[@thesparkoflight613]

A wonderful video in full colour and complete clarity! Marvellous! I think my friends who do the Wim Hof method are possibly mostly attracted by potential health benefits and get to the stage in life where one says, "Oh Ive got to do something!" and they drink the marketing cool aid and are off; it could be something which then leads them to a deeper quest, rather like my discovery of TM when I was 18 which didnt satisfy my spiritual and philosophical drive and then led me to Kriya Yoga. Good for Wim to waken people in this way and of course a huge shout out to Forrest who delivers the Golden Elixir! blessings to all from across the pond!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Well said, I completely agree! Thank you!!

[@333Eriana]

two years ago i started the WIM method and felt fabulous for about a week. then one day i had an asthma attach during a session - i was never able to get back to it. i did all sorts of kundalini cleanings breathes with out any trouble - but - i was never able to do WIM's extreme breathing. Not putting it down - but just illustrating the 'failure' side of this - and i am so glad that i found more- that i am able to do . it may not be for everyone right/

[@franklarson5604]

Thank-you for the clarity Guru, Wim Hofs boastful claims are very alluring. I do breathing techniques to achieve tranquil breath , because this causes a very comfortable state for me. I was a swimmer and diver for many years and love breath hold tranquility as well. love from me.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Frank ji!! You really are doing amazingly well. God bless you and your family!!

[@drvinaya1]

Dear Forrest, great video. I'm a doctor and a meditation teacher in India. Before starting with Meditation, I teach breathwork to restore the Autonomous nervous system and in turn HRV. According to yogic texts , there's no pranayama where we increase breath rate. All pranayama are aimed at reducing the breath rate. It's only some of the Kriyas ( Shatkriyas) which could be forceful- but used only for people with dosha imbalance before pranayama. I have seen a lot of people enjoy such hyperventilation as it makes them dizzy or clouded feeling- which is marketed as enlightening or deep experience! It's very dangerous especially for those with compromised blood supply of the heart and brain. I have seen a lot of people are addicted to such techniques as it gives them a kick. I compare it like the dose of steroid which makes one feels great initially, but gradually low immunity, increased Blood pressure , brain fog could be the side effects . Anything giving instaneous "high" is always Sympathetic activation- can be done once in a while for a purpose?? For all the spiritual seekers , slow breathing is the key prior to Meditation. Thank you.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Perfectly and beautifully said! Thank you so much for your confirmation, of both sympathetic practices, and the original intent of all pranayama! God bless!

[@zt81]

Cannot get over of how much good information you share thanks!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you so much Zahra!

[@MrRelax3737]

Excellent info on this vital subject-------FORREST, you are the best!!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Doug ji!! You're the best!!

[@victorsaitta5692]

Thank you so very much. I was exposed to the Wim Hof breath work and I was not at all drawn to it for the simple fact that you can’t calm down and hyperventilate at the same time. All yogis make it quite clear that one must slow down the entire body and mind in order to experience the Divine. People have asked for centuries what’s my purpose in life? It’s very simple, return to your source, Divine, creator, God, what ever. How can you possibly approach the infinite when your energy is like a tornado blowing the infinite every which way. This was expressed by Swami Yukteswar upon his first meeting with Babaji.

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's exactly right, Victor, well said!

[@mileswhite4329]

Very interesting. I did the Wim Hof breath for two weeks and was able to hold my breath for a minute and a half. I stopped when I realized it was a truncated version of true pranayama he had tweaked to achieve the results he gets, which are more extreme than I need. Still, holding my breath for a minute and a half made me able to do the HRV breathing and easily slow it down to three breaths a minute and do that for 10 minutes. This feels better, less extreme, and better suited to what I'm after, which is deep meditation.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Excellent Miles!

[@vimaladominic]

Atma namaste sir sorry had a bit of problem..just saw this lovely video and the beautiful explanation with such clarity. Heartfelt gratitude God bless much love to you and family 🙏❤

[@ForrestKnutson]

So nice of you! Thank you Vimala! God bless you and yours! 🙏🙏

[@skyfly120]

Hey Forrest, I love your videos and trainings. I've been practicing Sadhguru's Shambhavi Mahamudra for a while now, and it has become essential to me. I also bought both your trainings and feel like I now have a deeper understanding of the role of HRV breathing ( as well as the various neurological phenomenon you describe) in the process -- which has helped me greatly and enhanced my practice. Thanks!

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's fantastic!! I love hearing that!!

[@kimulm0619]

Wow,,ty Forrest for this invaluable information.💙😇

[@WW-ob7ek]

Thank you for this explanation. WHM is good but I find it unsustainable. Great video, as always!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Awesome!

[@matthewhunt6525]

Love your heart Forest truly you are the sage for the age

[@earthtones9111]

I like Wim Hof. Glad you point out the differences, make sense 👍🙏🏼

[@ForrestKnutson]

Perfect!

[@ngcache]

That's really interesting, Forrest. Thank you. I really enjoy the HRV and the tranquil breath. I feel so peaceful. I also like the Wim Hof method from time to time. What do you think about holotropic breath ? The holotropic breathwork could lead to incredible experiments and altered states of consciousness (and that's something I'm interested in). Can we achieve the same with the HRV ? Thanks again for teaching us all you know.

[@unitofi]

Great question, i'm highly interested in the answer Up

[@pintyoke7856]

Amazing video!! Thank you❤

[@phijk66461]

Yeah I've had quite a few discussions with people over the interwebs about this topic. It's a tough topic to address because Wim Hof kind of has a bit of a tribal following. I have found it difficult to discuss topics like this that have that tribal dynamic, because the tribal dynamic causes people to identify with the tribe, and when you critique the thing they are identified with, they take it in a way like you're critiquing and insulting them personally. You covered this polarizing topic in a better and more gentile way than I probably could have. I think Wim is doing a good thing in bringing breathing exercises to the masses; people that have no interest in yoga/spirituality and would never be exposed to breathing techniques without his personality and extreme eye-catching internet stories, photos, videos, etc. But yeah, I do wish he included some form of slow parasympathetic breath, even if it's just something basic and familiar to the masses like a couple minutes of alternate nostril breathing.

[@ForrestKnutson]

YES! That is so perceptive of you, and correct. The sense of self identifies with the object (ideology / tribe / personality / politics), and it becomes a "sacred cow." ... I agree. I can't fault "bendy" yoga and personalities like Wim Hof when it brings so much good attention to a great subject. Well said as usual; thank you Philip ji!

[@joshuamiller5701]

@@ForrestKnutson "Bendy" Yoga, I love it! Yes, there seems to be a purpose for the broader attention/less depth dicsiplines as a small percentage experience what real Yogic meditation is after initially being attracted to the external practices.. From Lululemon Beach Body Yoga to Samadhi in a lifetime, imagine that!

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@joshuamiller5701 I totally agree! Yes! The most amazing adventure! 🤩🥳

[@nadimares7153]

Thanks to you, Forrest, I'm getting a little bit of understanding about the meditation. I am ashamed to say that, but I am meditating for 24 years already. N

[@ForrestKnutson]

That has happened to many of us so I totally understand. 😊 You are in very good company.

[@nadimares7153]

@@ForrestKnutson Yes!!! Finally!!! I definitely can see it and I am pleased! (:(:

[@HMALDANA]

Thank you for the clarification, Forrest. I have been doing the Wim Hof method for months now. With this explanation, I will tweak it a bit. I already use your medulla centered approach along with it and the results have been very positive. On a different note, your book has helped me improve my meditation practice. I actually did the Hamsah using my peripheral vision while watching this video. You are a great teacher, man!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Mauricio!! That's fantastic! Try throwing in some HRV Breathing at the end. I think you'll love it. Or HRV Breathing with Peripheral vision.

[@HMALDANA]

@@ForrestKnutson I did it, man! It was a great experience. The Hong Sau has been a very useful tool. I have been dealing with a stubborn tension on my solar plexus for a long long time. The technique has allowed me to mobilize that energy. Thanks!

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@HMALDANA fantastic! Congratulations!

[@sedefas6481]

Great as always, Forest , I would like to write stg about breath, I have done some breathing exerises and meditation years ago, I came to a point, I used to feel this heavenly feeling in my chest, around my physical heart as I sleep, also feeling very light weightwise. Thinking body was only physical, I thought this was just intense oxygen. The feeling was so beautiful like liquid love was pouring into my chest, both from front and back. After some time, I could not breathe anymore yet that intense bliss was still there! Heaven and hell both existed in my chest.This was what made me accept human body was not only physical.Also I came to understand that, there was too much energy on anahata... that led me to work backwards, from muladhara to up. Till this day, I still can not do no anahata, or agna more than 10 min, like you said for some people it may not work, because others are naturally healthy and strong.. for people like me I guess, we have build up to that point (only working on the lower 3 chakras)...structure (human body) should be powerful enough to hold that energy. At least this is what I concluded , I would like to know your output if you had time. Thank you so much for this unique channel, I will study your every video.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wow, Soledad! What an experience. When the weight of the body disappears, that is part of the Freeze Response. The muscles relaxing and lengthening can also give this feeling of profound lightness. What your describing in your heart sounds like an experience with the left amygdala. I talk about this in the Big Bliss in depth. You say it was both heaven and hell, which may mean that both the left and right amygdala were at play. Both bliss and doom, which is possible. Usually the doom or fear will come first (if at all) and then the bliss afterwards. Your sensitivity is not for lack of physical capacity, but just that you need less stimulation for profound internal experience. Which makes you the perfect candidate for HRV Breathing and OM Japa in the chakras, by the way. Thank you for sharing, and I hope I've shed some light for you!!

[@sedefas6481]

@@ForrestKnutson I appreciate it thanks! Thanks a lot!

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@sedefas6481 my pleasure!

[@shaboyshaboy1834]

Thanks again, your offerings are pure gold! So are HRV and WHM Mutually exclusive. I’ve been doing , 10 minutes of 4 minutes of bastrika, 10 HRV , 11 minutes WHM, 20 connected breaths after 15 minutes of chi gong (includes 100 jumping jacks and 70 push-ups) and followed by 15 minutes - 21 reps of Tibetan-rights of rejuvenation. The savasana . Basically I wonder if the WHF “deresonsates” the heart.

[@omsemperorvan5416]

Great video Mr. Forrest 👌 I really love that intro for the video. I've watched it three times

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you! It turned out really well, didn't it!

[@omsemperorvan5416]

@@ForrestKnutson it did 👍👍👍👌

[@susannahbrown8350]

Thank you so much for covering this topic I have recently been introduced to yourself and Wim Hof. I personally resonate more with the breathing techniques that you have shared and so I was very interested in your perspective and comparison with his technique. 🙏

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful! The breath holds are good, but he's asking too much too fast. The hyperventilation would be okay if it was less.

[@cosmicsoupmusic]

Thanks for this. I have some experience with the WHM - I have found cold exposure to be a great thing! the WHM breathing techniques are very good for hacking the nervous system and I have entered into "no-mind" with ease through these techniques. However, it's quite straining and cumbersome as a technique, almost stressful! The light-headedness produced by WHM feels like I might faint, while gentle long breaths, such as HRV are much less forceful, more enjoyable to practice and the resultant meditative states feel more natural. This is a very interesting view regarding carbonating the muscles for the oxygen exchange - I find that I have some of my most profound meditations occur rapidly when I practice after a gym session. Perhaps this is why!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Bradley! What a fantastic share! Thank you for giving us your insights on both sides of the equation!!

[@gvajrapani8517]

Great video and thank you for sharing. I think the shivering is also controlled by the SNS, so it is interesting to think how the body turns to the SNS to drive the process. Whereas HRV would be driven by the PSNS. Would be interesting if you made a follow up video comparing real Tummo breathing to the Wim Hof breathing. To my knowledge, tummo uses HRV at is core ;)....pun intended.

[@antalperge1007]

And do you, - or anyone else - knows ANY YOGIS TODAY? 😉 Is there anyone from India, Tibet, practicing the legendary Tummo, who holds Guiness Records? And whose methode is so effective? You see... 🤭

[@sreedharchinna]

Excellent explanation! as always a big fan of your videos and this is the first time I am saying this..

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Sreedhar! Great to meet you today!!

[@jaykrish2808]

Awesome. the energization exercises teached by Pramahansa Yogananda now makes sense. It acts as a catalyst for the oxygen- co2 exchange. I usually follow that up with pranayama and then with HRV taught by you before moving on to Hong -Sau. Thank you Forrest Ji.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Jay.

[@dmurikurthy]

hello Knutson, this is great information.. I am curious to know to what rate that you were able to lower your heart beat during the meditation sessions? I am a great believer in all of these techniques. But want to have some numbers from some one like you as an encouragement. What is your normal hear beat vs when you are meditating. If you don't mind please share.

[@Rashid112215]

Hey forrest thanks for giving such a wonderful explanation really appreciate. But you had mentioned in this video about the hold at the end of a every session of HRv practice. Can you elaborate it a little bit more so that can enter into 4th phase of breath. Had seen almost all of your videos on Hrv .but not found any where you mentioned to hold the breath. Will really appreciate 🙏 thanks.

[@johnardenzedaker2813]

Wow. Gracias Forrest

[@TheLindbergbill]

I loved the wim hof method and practiced for a long time. The bliss I felt in wim hof was my first real taste of it. It cured some skin problems for me, most importantly athletes foot. I wonder HRV can have this benefit as well. I did not like hyperventilating, but I liked the result.

[@TheMRMEAN69]

To me, that’s two different applications. If both work for different motives, then there is no debate there.

[@janfrolik44]

I find the success rate argument very misleading. It is not easy to really practice WHM but if you do you have super high success rate and effect on health benefits. On the other hand the benefit of HRV is rather mild for most with the lack of real life changing effect.

[@ForrestKnutson]

If you look on this channel's community page, the results are mind blowing.

[@dharma67uk]

I also have practiced the Wim Hof method and Soma breath work which advocates inducing intermittent hypoxia with consequential benefits to the body in particular the cardiovascular system. Soma also makes some quite extraordinary claims regarding the healing benefits of intermittent hypoxia . My own experience of practicing Kriya Yoga in the morning and Soma/Wim Hof in the evening was that it made it actually much harder to get into HRV the following day , it reduced the sensitivity of the breath and my meditation felt much less blissful

[@ForrestKnutson]

That is a wonderful testament. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us!

[@ramsharma4769]

I have tried both and I can feel the calmness peace happiness energy etc only in your technique Forrest In wim Hof technique let it be that was a stressful experience Love from yogi

[@ForrestKnutson]

Awesome!

[@lucaomar3428]

dear Forrest i think you didn't look into wim hof method. Every round of hyperventilation is followed by very long empty lung breath hold. At the end of every session he teaches various stretching exercises coupled with more breath holds and then push ups with breath holds

[@marsdam]

love this system BETTER!!!! sifu forrester!iJi

[@jaktonge6632]

Stunning, been doing whm for a few years now, favourite place was up in the beatles ashram, rishikesh, a lot of prana. I have reasently fractured my pelvis and was unaware in the lack of o2 exchange with his method unless in cold, I want to really get that o2 into the fracture, hrv! It's on!!

[@ForrestKnutson]

I would take a colloidal calcium and the magnesium soak I have a video on. I hope it feels better soon!

[@jaktonge6632]

@@ForrestKnutson thank you very much I am going to order some tonight 👍

[@jaktonge6632]

@@ForrestKnutson hey forest I have some calcium but hearing conflicting views on supplements, some people are saying they are in affective, but would this be for someone with out said fracture lol, any help greatly appreciated.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@jaktonge6632 colloidal calcium is very effective. Some doctors have been trained to dislike supplements which is crazy in my opinion. So you will occasionally hear the statement that you only pee out your supplements. Well you also pee out your water that you drink everyday but somehow you know it's important. Same goes for your food.

[@ellensteadman7742]

Yay! Om Namo Shivaya.

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's one of my favorites, Ellen!!

[@ellensteadman7742]

@@ForrestKnutson Hare Krishna Hare Om

[@amilan4986]

Great explanation thanks

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Amila, I'm glad it was helpful

[@shanebaird543]

In Wim Hof they use breath holds to create carbon. You do about 30 to 40 cleansing breaths and then you hold you breath on an exhale.

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's right, Shane!

[@colleencolquhoun8818]

Excellent thanks

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Colleen!

[@benjohan]

I think that Wim Hof is about creating edurence to be able to be in the cold to feel good afterwards. But could I do mahamudra strech HRV SVS and Om Japa and then the cold. I just did and I feel god though i still have something to work on in my body.

[@dr.sureshiyer2240]

Wonderful info

[@ForrestKnutson]

Wonderful Doctor!

[@108lukas]

Hey there Forrest! I have a question please? Can you see any benefits from stacking HRV breathing with Alternate Nostril breathing? As long as one adheres to the smooth cyclic breath rules etc.? I have found it is beneficial prior to meditation to do a quick wim hof session followed by 20 minutes of HRV either with or without the alternating nostrils to calm right back down and open my chest for deeper, calmer breathing during meditation. Also if you don’t mind, what is the difference between the HRV breathing you teach and the more broadly termed Heart Coherence breathing? I was initially led to believe that the benefits were derived from exactly equal breaths at an ideal speed of 5.5 bpm which apparently is ideal for optimum oxygen absorption. I religiously did this first thing in the morning and got results but it took longer whereas your slightly extended exhale seems to kick it up a notch. Looking forward to your reply my friend.. Lukas

[@bonnymw0311]

Enjoyed the entire explanation and details including the marketplace exchange of O2 and carbon. Don’t really know who Wim Hof is , his goal or target audience but I hear that they are using HRV even in tough sports training/recovery like the triathlon etc. One clarification I do have , Hong Sau in SRF/YSS is different from HRV. If I practice Hong Sau as HRV then it is no more a Hong Sau original technique , right? since I need to remove the pauses and also control the breath to a particular count.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Hong Sau or Sau Hong as described in many of the early texts was just to join the sound with the Breath. The teacher as he taught it to you might ask you to control the breath or he might ask you not to call control the breath. SRF asks you not to control the Breath. I suggest you do. Or rather I would suggest that you first control the breath, and then let it go. So first establish HRV resonance, and then let go of the breath and simply follow it. That will give you the greatest benefit. So you could do HRV breathing and then the Hong Sau technique without control. Or you could do Hong Sau with control and then without control.

[@bonnymw0311]

Thank you Forrest . Your suggestion resonates with me 😀 I do plan to incorporate HRV in my meditation practice .

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@bonnymw0311 wonderful! 🥳

[@vinuthomas141]

What is your opinion about Ujjain breathing, bastrikka and Sudharsanakriya by Sree Sree Ravishankar. If any similarity between kriyayoga and Sudharsanakriya

[@ForrestKnutson]

I will be doing a video on Ujjayi Pranayama. Both the normal version, and a Sahaja, or sublime version.

[@aloksahu7208]

Great 👍 sir

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Alok!

[@badboy1O8]

The WHM breathing is always followed by a long breath hold. Wouldn’t that increase the carbon as well?

[@twinryu]

THanks very much for the clarity but I am kind of lost. The way i thought it worked was that the muscles had a buildup of carbon dioxide and that by making the exhalation longer than the inhalation I was elimination my CO2 from my system. So where does the CO2 in my system come from? And how comes....I don't even know what I am asking....when we breathe in that is for oxygenation yes? then the body produces co2 from different reactions in the body yes? Then we eliminate co2 with exhalation yes.......I thought breathing was in with oxygen and out with co2, in with oxygen and out with co2. but you mentioned carbon (not co2) is already in the blood. SOrry I got lost there right about minute #11-ish. joining you on patreon.

[@williemyself]

What exactly does "making war on the brain" mean, and what techniques should be avoided in order to not do this? Love this video btw. Thank you!

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Willie! Great question. I have a video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIPOcqWKrq6fhMU

[@williemyself]

@@ForrestKnutson Perfect thank you!

[@loutr4590]

Hi Mr. Knutson I was very interestet in hearing your opinion on the subject of different breathing techniques. Why do you think the hrv-breathing technique and your channel in general are so unpopular, compared to the Wim Hof technique, even though it's benefits are vastly greater?

[@Jestemobecny]

How long should I wait after taking WH breaths before I start Kriya Yoga?

[@fanvadmeck]

Thanks Forrest, would you mind sharing your thoughts on how WHM increases co2 tolerance? The breathholds are long because of expelled co2 so the buildup after 2:30 of holding is like the starting point of regular co2 training like exhaling and walking while holding breath of holding without hyperventilation. In my book the WMH breathhold therefore doesn't train co2, but id love if you could change my mind on this!

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's an excellent point, Johan. If you're free-diving you may use some hyperventilation in your training, but it won't be the majority of your training, for exactly the reason you point out.

[@fanvadmeck]

@@ForrestKnutson Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@fanvadmeck]

@@HansenFT The adrenaline response is because of the CO2 get low from the hyperventilation, which means O2 get low at cellular level which creates the adrenaline response. It is a crisis response from the body which also tell the body to create more hemoglobin.

[@yokemonkey]

Question: I was told that if we don’t push the exhale and just let it go, like an ahhhh with our jaw relaxed, we will not hyperventilate. This information comes from Judith Kravits. What’s your opinion? Thanks

[@ForrestKnutson]

The Judith Kravits breathing (which I did years ago in a week long retreat) still fits within the category of a Cleansing Breath. By not pushing the exhale you are usually doubling the length of the exhale, so you are following two of the rules for HRVn (but not the essential 3rd). That will keep you from deep hyperventilation and the hands curling.

[@kantamasters]

@@ForrestKnutson :-)

[@austino7196]

What’s your view on the breath process during sex? How /why is HRV better, if it is? Please explain.

[@ForrestKnutson]

In that state it is usually much more excited, but if you and your partner take things slowly, and induce HRV at the same time, then you will of course feel more connection.

[@sylvaincormier6823]

I love your explanations, tried HRV it's awesome. Just one thing though, there is no shivering when doing cold water immersion after cleansing and breath-hold in WH method. Have you tried it? Can't wait to watch more of your videos, thank you so much. Hari Om Tat Sat

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Sylvain

[@vimaladominic]

Sir its amazing to do HRV with cleansing each chakra chanting Na Ma Si Va...Ya..

[@ForrestKnutson]

Yes, definitely! Beautiful Vimala!

[@vimaladominic]

Atma namaste sir and thank you so much for your kind reply God bless much love 🙏❤

[@danielsaenz1325]

Forrest, thank you for this video, as before getting into Kriya I dabbled in wim hof, but have been coming to the understanding of hypoventillation vs hyperventillation and understanding the purpose and results behind both types of breathing. Especially increasing stress threshold, vs default lower baseline HRV. Also, I feel like wim HOF has a different purpose than Kriya, less of a spiritual purpose behind it. At any rate, I can't wait for 2nd kriya. Also, could you hypothetically use HRV breathing with the Cold exposure? I did this with pretty good results one time, but I want to make sure it doesn't go against Kriya breathing.

[@ForrestKnutson]

You're 100 percent correct. It's a very different aim, isn't it. The traditional Tummo Breathing is done with a strike to the stomach. You can do this with a longer out breath and so follow the rules of HRV. The 3rd center, as I taught on the Big Bliss, is the center of the right amygdala. The right amygdala rules the feeling of doom. So, for example the martial artist will concentrate on the Tan Tien (3rd chakra) in order to lessen fear (he probably doesn't know this is why). When that fear of the 3rd center is disturbed by concentrating on this limbic projection, then the usually cold 3rd center becomes warm, and you will feel that warmth spread through the entire body eventually. ... So you could use kriya in the cold. The HRV could spread warmth through the whole body. ... One possible side effect might be that you become very hot every time you meditate (because you were training heat regulation), and so it becomes difficult to meditate indoors.

[@ricardodossantos6644]

Forrest, What exactly is tranquil breath? How can I know that I reached tranquil breath?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Ricardo excellent question. I have a video called ratcheting into the Tranquil breath. You could watch that for some insight. I teach it on training on my website and that's the in-depth understanding of what it is and how we get there.

[@ricardodossantos6644]

@@ForrestKnutson, !Thanks a lot

[@ypshrivastav]

Sir , where does the CO2 come from when one elongates the exhale .

[@ForrestKnutson]

Because the gasses stay longer in the lungs it compounds the CO2. Breathing through the nose also introduces more CO2.

[@MarkS-gn5wl]

great explanation as usual. how do i do the hrv breathing

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Mark! If you go to my channel, look below for the HRV Playlist, and you'll see the little guy with lungs, and you can just follow along.

[@CUB-qy2hj]

9:00 But isnt the Co2 tolerance temporary? 12:00 The same could be gathered by muscle activation/exercise right?

[@ForrestKnutson]

With the breath hold at the end there is some gain in CO2 Tolerance, but with HRV and holds, the Tolerance gain is more dynamic and sustained. ... Yes muscle activation should work as well. Great questions!

[@danielsaenz1325]

@@ForrestKnutson just for clarification. You could hypothetically use wim HOF breathing and then run or lift weights to increase Co2 levels for muscles and organs to absorb oxygen from the blood?

[@ForrestKnutson]

You could, though I think it would work better to put the lifting or running before the Cleansing Breath.

[@victor00123q]

Breath holding also increases CO2 in the body right?

[@1rsalc]

Forrest, thanks for this video. Great explanations. I didn't understand something, though. When one hyperventilates and the blood is oxygen-rich, something happens (I didn't quite get it) to make the muscles get some carbon to exchange for oxygen from the blood. Could you clarify?

[@ForrestKnutson]

The long breath of HRV incorporates more Carbon into the breath. Now the blood has O and CO2 in the blood. The blood gives the Carbon to the muscle, which it trades back for O. Now the muscle (and eventually the organs) have become Oxygenated. Great question!

[@jps8678]

@@ForrestKnutson Thanks. I change and do Bhastrika pranayama breathing to Oxygenate my blood couple of minutes in the morning and after that I do 20 minutes 4:6 ratio Hrv breathing.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@jps8678 fantastic!

[@TomColeman]

Amazing

[@ForrestKnutson]

Thank you Tom!

[@bahaali5384]

How to deal with short and very fast breathing from truma and stuck on freeze response

[@ForrestKnutson]

The best thing would be to do the timeline therapy walkthrough. In timeline therapy we do not need to float down into the trauma and relive it we are free to float up above it and then before it. When all the conditions are met correctly timeline therapy works every time. Especially when you are very very tired of having the trauma and you are totally ready to get rid of it and get on with your life.

[@BenjaminSchiltzVlogs]

Wow now I understand. I've been doing Wim Hof breathing without the cold shower or ice bath because I am a diabetic with neuropathy and if my legs become very cold they begin to cramp or become very weighted down and jerk with muscle spasms. Now that I understand what you are saying I'll start HRV and put aside Wim Hof since I'm not doing the ice bath. My question is during the Wim Hof breathing exercise I get a full body high not just tingling but I lose my body in a way. Like floating and it's such joyous feeling. How does HRV compare to that result. Is it much more intense or is it not like that at all? I guess I just need more clarity on how it compares to that euphoric high you get with Wim Hof. I'm going to buy your training as soon as I have some funds available. As a side note after posting this question a little voice in me says "don't get wrapped up in that feeling" lol

[@ForrestKnutson]

There's a high that can come with sympathetic arousal. Same like coffee. What HRV offers is a sublime peace, and the activation of the Freeze Response. There are several kinds of bliss that are possible in this. One of those is very easy to get into. I have a Guaranteed Bliss video here on YT. And then on my website, I teach the Grander Big Bliss which is insanely overwhelming. HRV is teaching a low-idle-state which is what allows for true meditation. Great question!

[@BenjaminSchiltzVlogs]

@@ForrestKnutson I bought and I am actually watching your bliss training video right now. I just got done the part about your first bliss. My god that sounds so wonderful. Last night I attempted the 4 breaths, 5 breaths and 6 breaths per minute see which is better for me. I think the 5 to 6 breaths is just right for me. The 4 breaths kind of felt heavy weighting my chest and abdomen down if that makes any sense. Or perhaps I was taking in air too deeply? Not quite sure how to articulate it.

[@ForrestKnutson]

@@BenjaminSchiltzVlogs fantastic! Go with the more comfortable breath, and it will deepen with a little time. Comfortable is huge because it keeps our parasympathetic system in place. Well done!

[@vijaysankar8762]

do HRV and kriya yoga same??

[@ghuyakalika]

So the long breath holds in the Wim hof method will not increase carbon and lead to the exchange of carbon and oxygen?

[@ForrestKnutson]

I think I mention that they will. It's the 1st half that will not.

[@ghuyakalika]

@@ForrestKnutson Thank you Forrest! I think I missed that I completely overdid Wim hof at one stage. I used to be extremely dizzy for days. At least my singing is long breaths in and longer out.

[@vinuthomas141]

4 Inhale 4 hold 6 exhale 2 hold is seen in Sudharsanakriya

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's good Vinu. What I love to begin with is HRV Breathing. I invite you to try that out and see how it works for you.

[@EnternalQuest]

Just one basic question, how does increasing the length of breath increases the co2 in the mix of one"s breath?

[@ForrestKnutson]

As the breath stays in the lungs the CO2 content increases. The same is true when we hold the breath. Both practices gradually increase the body's tolerance to carbon.

[@CUB-qy2hj]

The co2 produced from the body tissue is brought back to the lungs and when the exhale is long enough/slow, it would naturally accumulate.

[@nomudnolotus6129]

Whenever you come to end a specific point or about to give away some beneficial wisdom theres always an edit! 🤔

[@nomudnolotus6129]

Great stuff though. Your helping many people

[@vinuthomas141]

What is your opinion about doing HRB after Wim Hoff Cleanse breathing

[@ForrestKnutson]

I think that would be excellent. Unless you feel tired after your Wim Hof session. Then I would reduce the amount of time you're doing the Wim Hof.

[@vinuthomas141]

Thank you 🙏

[@Fluffehz]

Is HRV Breathing known to be dangerous under certain conditions?

[@ForrestKnutson]

Great question. If you are treating the breath comfortably, then absolutely not. You have to do it within the range that is comfortable to you. When that's the case, then the body is actually taking a rest. Conserving energy. Imagine putting your car into idle while stopped at the stop sign. There is much less work going on, the car is conserving energy, and so there is the opposite of danger going on. You're actually extending life rather than wearing it down. This is why all of the insurance companies want to use HRV tests to track mortality rates. If your natural HRV is greater than another, you will be given a greater chance at living a longer life.

[@laurentmichel3618]

He is missing the point, hyperventilarion lowers CO2, not increase O2. Also, O2 is reaching deep the tissues during WHM breath old. WHM is effective, as well as HRV.

[@ForrestKnutson]

"Hyperventilation causes loss of carbon dioxide from the body, causing the pH of blood to increase and become more alkaline. When blood is more alkaline, hemoglobin binds more tightly with oxygen. Oxygen bound to hemoglobin within red blood cells does nothing, because binding of oxygen to hemoglobin within red blood cells is no more than the body's method of transporting oxygen to the capillaries within the tissues of the body. Within the capillaries of the tissues of the body, the chemical bond between oxygen and hemoglobin is weak enough to allow oxygen to leave the blood and diffuse into the cells surrounding the capillaries, so providing oxygen for the vital, energy-generating chemical processes within the cells forming the tissues of the body. But when hyperventilation causes oxygen to bind more tightly to hemoglobin, less oxygen is released to diffuse into the tissues surrounding the capillaries. The oxyhemoglobin saturation curve demonstrates this effect, showing that hemoglobin binds oxygen more tightly during hyperventilation (Figure 7). This is why hyperventilation can cause less oxygen to enter the tissues of the body from the capillaries, so resulting in hypoxia of the cells outside the blood vessels, even though the blood contains more than sufficient oxygen." www.anesthesiaweb.org/hyperventilation.php#:~:text=Hyperventilation%20has%20profound%20effects%20on,bind%20more%20tightly%20with%20hemoglobin.

[@Twist-and-Turn]

@@ForrestKnutson wonderfully explained.

[@longinesboutique7623]

❤️🙏🏻

[@woodyfields6041]

good teaching on yogic breathing, but you totally missed on the physiology of Hof breathing and cold therapy... maybe give him a call and get this straightened out !

[@negligent666]

Yeeaaaahh I think I'll just stick to long breathing lol. I'm so sensitive to cold, some mornings I shiver when I get out of bed when my house is only 68 degrees. It's ridiculous.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Haha! That's fantastic. It's really the most amazing thing.

[@naarad0911]

This HRV sounds like 'sinus rhythm'.

[@AAY369]

One mistake here. Wim hofs breathing is shorter and aggressive on the inhale, with NO ACTIVE EXHALE! So what you showed is NOT his method. His method with just the RELAXING on the exhale is slower then the inhale thus creating heart rate variability... please acknowledge this and adjust your presentation, as you are incorrect here... love to you

[@antalperge1007]

Here we go. Do you, - or anyone else - knows ANY YOGIS TODAY? 😉 1. Is there anyone from India, Tibet, practicing the legendary Tummo, or anything else, who holds Guiness Records? 2. And whose methode is so effective? 3. Were those "yogis" tested, proven by med. doctors, universities, like Wim was? 4. Why do you want to skip the excercise part of the WHM? What's wrong with doing excercises (running, cold exposure) after the Wim Hof breathing? Check out HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)! Some are looking for a holistic, all-in one breathing technique, based on Eastern tenets... and yet no yogi can do those things like Wim Hof. No Eastern practicioner was tested scientifically! You see... 🤭

[@bigounce1292]

WHM can feel very nice but recently it started giving me bad sinus pain that can last for days, maybe I do it too hard.

[@ForrestKnutson]

Maybe so. Try the HRV-Resonate Breathing. ;)

[@nbenda]

Maybe, but my husband found the spiritual eye first doing Wim Hof breathing

[@ForrestKnutson]

That's great!

[@raamkumar1979]

Brother..... Long back The Sufis who were the yogis of desert use to do such breathing.......that is not hof it's suff while exhalation.......may be they were named Sufis.....🤣🤣 In desert, during night time temperature use to go down by minus zero degree...... Now I was just trying to connect your Cold shower shivering point and minus zero degree temperature..........😂💓💓......

[@ForrestKnutson]

Yes, the Tummo Breathing is a wonderful breath to interrupt the 3rd chakra, which will warm the body. If you do it with a longer exhale it works even better.

[@thisin.]

_This video_ -seems like- _is blatant misinformation._ _Please do correct me if I'm wrong, I'd more than welcome it_ Without all the religious, stage blue subscribers this wouldn't have come up in my feed, but since I'm here.. This guy doesn't seem to even know what the Wim Hof method is, portraying it as: "hyperventilation with some form of holds, maybe on the inhale, maybe on the exhale, idk if it matters. Holds are good for something called CO2 tolerance, whatever that means, so it's not all bad." I mean, he literally does say, as an argument against Wim Hof, that "hyperventilation can not lead to oxygenation". Showing that's the extent of his understanding of it. More on that below. Despite demonstrating lack in even basic knowledge and experience in breathwork, among other things.. He somehow manages to speak from a place of superiority. I suppose that's what happens when you combine both, a particularly large ego, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. - "Now, what kind of breath is the wim hof method?" - *smug face - "It's a kind of breath that falls into this arbitrary category I've been aware of for a while. One of many, I might add. And that's ok! Don't worry. Although wim hof practitioners may not be as advanced as I am, I do actually study from the ancient masters after all, I am willing to take the teacher role, out of my generosity, and educate the less educated." -"You see, the wim hof method is, much, much less successful..... Just less successful. I mean, it brings less success, so it's of less success to the practitioner. Therefore, simple logic will tell you it's less successful!" - "Now, the *KEY* thing is that Wim Hof doesn't establish *resonance* between the breath and the heart. Resonance is an ENTIRE category, SO important, SO profound, gives SO much success, it's SO deep. It is the very BASE.... Anyway.... moving on................... That's enough of the that topic." _Note:_ lmao what?! How would even the regulars of this channel understand this? Let me explain what BS this guy, incoherently, was trying to say, without even understanding it himself: Only through HRV, are you able to take in energy through your heart chakra, any energy passed through it is purified. Since love is the purest emotion of all, any energy filtered through the heart chakra becomes the purest form of energy. ^ That's all he had to say to at least be _coherent_ . So, besides the KEY which he didn't even say what it was, just that it's extremely important.. The other 50% of why this HRV breath is superior, as he claims, is that it uses an "elongated breath", a longer breath....a longer wim hof breath, "so now BOTH carbon AND oxygen run through the arteries"..... How does he sleep at night.. - "Here we see that the blood is blue, it's not oxygenated" lol. Blood is never blue. Veins look blue because light has to penetrate the skin to illuminate them, blue and red light (being of different wavelengths) penetrate with different degrees of success. *Ok, here's what the Wim Hof method is:* Breathing: 1. Heavy breathing lowers CO2, body assumes low CO2 = low O2. 2. To increase the incorrectly-inferred low-O2-levels, the body keeps the O2 sequestered in the blood (and away from organs, causing lightheadedness which would normally cause an urge to inhale). 3. Eventually, CO2 levels start to slowly climb back up from normal body processes, and the lightheadedness starts to fade. Holding: 4. *After 30-50 deep breaths, exhale and hold for 1-3min.* 5. Holding causes CO2 levels to rise further. 6. *You then take a huge breath in and hold.* 7. Due to the previous heavy-breathing, the blood is already at capacity for O2, so the excess gets sent to the cells/tissue/organs/brain etc. hyper-oxygenizing them beyond normal amounts. CO2 is necessary for transporting O2 into cells, so every step is beneficial. What this guy is suggesting, is just a poorly executed / failed wim hof method, with a failed attempt at incorporating misunderstood spiritual ideas he just 'decided' to believe out of lack of awareness and intellectual capacity for rational thinking.

[@ForrestKnutson]

FK - Debate is such a lost art. Everyone wants to run to Ad Hominem and Strawman arguments. Your last bit was very good, otherwise. My answers are below. Without all the religious, stage blue subscribers this wouldn't have come up in my feed, but since I'm here.. FK - Not everyone here is religious. Many have come for the health benefits, which is great. This guy doesn't seem to even know what the Wim Hof method is, portraying it as: "hyperventilation with some form of holds, maybe on the inhale, maybe on the exhale, idk if it matters. Holds are good for something called CO2 tolerance, whatever that means, so it's not all bad." FK - Yes, you guys don't want to call it a hyperventilation breath. I understand your disagreement. CO2 Tolerance is very important within the Wim Hof method. It's part of its health benefits. I mean, he literally does say, as an argument against Wim Hof, that "hyperventilation can not lead to oxygenation". Showing that's the extent of his understanding of it. More on that below. FK - Fair enough. If you only hyperventilate, you have a very low chance to oxygenate. - "Now, what kind of breath is the wim hof method?" - *smug face - "It's a kind of breath that falls into this arbitrary category I've been aware of for a while. One of many, I might add. And that's ok! Don't worry. Although wim hof practitioners may not be as advanced as I am, I do actually study from the ancient masters after all, I am willing to take the teacher role, out of my generosity, and educate the less educated." -"You see, the wim hof method is, much, much less successful..... Just less successful. I mean, it brings less success, so it's of less success to the practitioner. Therefore, simple logic will tell you it's less successful!" FK - No, those results are based on polling of my students. - "Now, the KEY thing is that Wim Hof doesn't establish resonance between the breath and the heart. Resonance is an ENTIRE category, SO important, SO profound, gives SO much success, it's SO deep. It is the very BASE.... Anyway.... moving on................... That's enough of the that topic." Note: lmao what?! How would even the regulars of this channel understand this? FK - Because Insurance companies are paying money to understand HRV Resonance and what it means for mortality. It's a big deal. I would love it if Wim Hof would include this for his students. It would also give his students the chance to awaken the Dorsal Vagal Complex. ... Yes, I'm kind of over the moon for it. I would expect that Wim Hof is over the moon for his practice. Only through HRV, are you able to take in energy through your heart chakra, any energy passed through it is purified. Since love is the purest emotion of all, any energy filtered through the heart chakra becomes the purest form of energy. ^ That's all he had to say to at least be coherent . FK - This oversimplification teaches very little. To be practical, the information must be actionable; that's the very beauty of yoga. So, besides the KEY which he didn't even say what it was, just that it's extremely important.. The other 50% of why this HRV breath is superior, as he claims, is that it uses an "elongated breath", a longer breath....a longer wim hof breath, "so now BOTH carbon AND oxygen run through the arteries"..... How does he sleep at night. - "Here we see that the blood is blue, it's not oxygenated" lol. Blood is never blue. Veins look blue because light has to penetrate the skin to illuminate them, blue and red light (being of different wavelengths) penetrate with different degrees of success. FK - An oversimplification, to be sure. However, the point still stands. We need more than just oxygen, and we have to have exchange in the body. Ok, here's what the Wim Hof method is: Breathing: 1. Heavy breathing lowers CO2, body assumes low CO2 = low O2. 2. To increase the incorrectly-inferred low-O2-levels, the body keeps the O2 sequestered in the blood (and away from organs, causing lightheadedness which would normally cause an urge to inhale). 3. Eventually, CO2 levels start to slowly climb back up from normal body processes, and the lightheadedness starts to fade. FK - Copied from Healthline.com: Hyperventilation is a condition in which you start to breathe very fast. Healthy breathing occurs with a healthy balance between breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. You upset this balance when you hyperventilate by exhaling more than you inhale. This causes a rapid reduction in carbon dioxide in the body. Low carbon dioxide levels lead to narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This reduction in blood supply to the brain leads to symptoms like lightheadedness and tingling in the fingers. Severe hyperventilation can lead to loss of consciousness. ... There's more than hyperventilation going on within the Wim Hof method, but for those that get it wrong, are not in the physical space to get it right, the consequences can wipe them out dramatically. It's tragic, and all you have to do is poll those doing it to find out. Holding: 4. After 30-50 deep breaths, exhale and hold for 1-3min. 5. Holding causes CO2 levels to rise further. 6. You then take a huge breath in and hold. 7. Due to the previous heavy-breathing, the blood is already at capacity for O2, so the excess gets sent to the cells/tissue/organs/brain etc. hyper-oxygenizing them beyond normal amounts. CO2 is necessary for transporting O2 into cells, so every step is beneficial. FK - The holding is very good (though I prefer it a different way), as I mentioned several times. I realize you're defending your teacher and practice. Don't worry. I'm sure my little video will not even cause a scratch on the juggernaut that is Wim Hof. As I said, it's a very good practice, so long as older practitioners know the risks, and understand it is mostly a sympathetic awakening.

[@Twist-and-Turn]

Everyone knows blood is not blue. Blue colour is just used to represent deoxygenated blood in a pictorial Manner. It’s just a colour code differentiation. Not in a literal sense.