Is carbon dioxide just a waste gas?
We are used to thinking that oxygen is the “good” gas, the one we need, while carbon dioxide is the waste gas that needs to be eliminated, but that’s not exactly true.
In reality, carbon dioxide is the gas that gives us the impulse to breathe; we feel the need to inhale when the level of CO2 in our blood begins to rise, not when the oxygen level drops.
When you exercise, you are stressed, or when your cells are simply “working hard,” more carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced. This lowers the pH of your blood (i.e., makes it more acidic). And you know what happens? Hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) releases oxygen more easily.
In other words: Your body understands for itself where oxygen is needed most and takes it there!
Breathing slowly and deeply (without hyperventilating) helps maintain a good level of CO2, which promotes oxygen exchange in the tissues.
Yes, sometimes holding your breath a little is more useful than breathing too much.
In fact, many athletes use apnea exercises (breath holding) to increase their ability to manage fatigue, improve VO2max, and strengthen the autonomic nervous system.
On a mental level, short conscious breath holds help regulate anxiety, improve concentration, and regain control in moments of panic.
Holding your breath activates natural breathing reflexes, which help you regain a deeper, diaphragmatic breathing.
In addition, this promotes the plasticity of the respiratory center in the brain, helping you to re-educate your daily breathing.
In Yantra Yoga, we use breathing and breath retention consciously and deliberately in harmony with body movement, and this brings us many benefits.
But… BE AWARE:
All of this only makes sense if done in a controlled and safe manner: Never hold your breath in water or while driving/riding in a car.
Always work progressively, starting with very simple exercises. If you have any medical conditions (asthma, cardiovascular problems, pregnancy), consult a professional.
Yantra Yoga and Respira Method teacher, Mindfulness facilitator, advanced Oxygen Advantage ® instructor.
