Science
behind the practices
Scientific research has begun to validate the strong connections between the mind and the body and the non-fixed nature of the physical world, that have underpinned traditional healing practices for thousands of years .
Controlled breathing and other practices that lead to meditative states have been shown to produce notable shifts in brain wave patterns, moving from beta waves that are associated with active thinking, to alpha, theta, and gamma waves, associated with relaxation, cognitive processing, and emotional regulation.
​These practices have also been demonstrated to reduce stress hormones and boost immunity.
Recent discoveries in epigenetics reveal that our bodies are shaped not only by our own experiences, but also by those of our ancestors. The stress and trauma they endured can leave biological imprints passed down through generations, influencing how we respond to stress, how our metabolism functions, and even our susceptibility to certain diseases.
Modern physics shows that the volume of atoms, the tiny building blocks of our bodies and all matter, is mostly composed of “empty” space and that there are vast stores of chemical and electrical energy in our bodies. Quantum science demonstrates that sub-atomic particles (like electrons or photons) can behave both as a particle and as a wave, and that they collapse into particles when observed by a machine. This shows that reality at the smallest scales is more fluid than classical physics ever imagined.
At the edge of scientific understanding lie areas explored through traditions, philosophy, cultural knowledge and direct experience. Traditional healers, yogis and wisdom keepers across many cultures have described subtle fields energy or light around our physical bodies that can be interacted with through different techniques, and a life force that runs through all living things. Concepts of this vital energy are expressed globally: Prana in yoga (Sanskrit), Chi/Qi in Chinese medicine, Ruhaa (Aramaic) or Ruach (Hebrew) in early Christian thought, Hau in Maori and Polynesian cultures, Pneuma in ancient Greek, or n’um among some southern African communities. Modern science is only starting to explore these areas which display significant similarities across cultures.
Together, these insights invite us to see the body not only as a physical system but as part of a larger web of energy and awareness. Practices such as breathwork, traditional medicine and energy work seem to touch these layers in ways we are only beginning to understand, reminding us that wellbeing may arise as much from what we can measure as from what we do not fully understand.