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What is Tummo Breathing and What Are its Benefits?

What is Tummo Breathing?

Tummo breathing is a mix of breathing and visualization techniques. It is also known as g-tummo. It is a meditation practice that is a mix of mental and physical techniques. Being a combination of visualization, breathing, and muscle contractions, Tummo breathing helps a person to enter a meditative state. It is also sometimes called chandali yoga.

Tummo breathing is a part of Vajrasana practice that is a form of tantric Buddhism, which includes rituals, alongside meditation for the achievement of spiritual enlightenment.

What is Tummo Breathing?

People practicing tummo use it to train their minds to enter a deep state of meditation.

Tummo breathing is also believed to increase body temperature. However, a 2013 article noted that the increase in core temperature was not the aim of tummo breathing, it instead was a way for someone to reach a deep meditation state.(1) It is known to raise the body temperature to the level of mild to moderate fever.(3)

How to Perform Tummo Breathing?

People practicing tummo breathing suggest that it should be learned from experienced gurus or teachers. A practitioner of tantric Buddhism should be approached if someone wants to learn tummo breathing.

Below is mentioned the way tummo breathing can be performed, still one needs to consider learning it from a professional.

  • Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and place your hands on your stomach.
  • Try and relax the mind as much as possible
  • Try visualizing the fire inside of the stomach near the naval by imagining being a hollow balloon with a ball of fire inside. This visualization needs to be continued throughout the meditation.
  • Inhale deeply through the nose, lean back slightly, and expand the torso and the chest. While breathing in, imagine the oxygen fueling the fire making it large and hotter.
  • Exhale through the mouth forcefully while pursing the lips as blowing out with a straw. Curl the spine forward and imagine the flame spreading the heat throughout the body.
  • This can be repeated 5 times while imagining the heat building. After the 5th inhalation swallow gently and focus on how that holds the breath below the diaphragm. Next contract the pelvic floor muscle, holding the breath between the diaphragm and pelvic floor.
  • You can hold your breath as long as possible, then relax and exhale.
  • Repeat it a few times.

Benefits of Tummo Breathing

Tummo breathing can be helpful in increasing a person’s metabolism and alertness.(2) It can be done in the morning or several times in a day to increase energy levels.

An old study suggested that the increase in the body temperature due to tummo breathing may result in the following benefits:(1)

  • Boosts immunity
  • Faster reaction time
  • Increases alertness
  • Improves the learning and memory center in the brain
  • Improves cognitive performances

Who Can Perform Tummo Breathing?

In tummo breathing a person needs to perform various breathing techniques. Those with a breathing condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should speak with the doctor before going ahead.

As the body temperature increase while practicing tummo breathing, certain practitioners may use it before cold swimming. But, it is important to do it under the expert’s guidance. If cold swimming is done without proper guidance it may lead to:(3)

Tummo breathing is a type of meditation that helps in reaching enlightenment. It was created by Buddhist monks thousands of years ago. There is less information on how to perform it correctly. People with health issues such as breathing problems should speak with a doctor before practicing it. Also, they should exercise with caution if this method is used as a method to increase the body temperature before cold swimming.

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 26, 2022

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