Why are more and more therapists saying that breathing or meditation techniques do not have a positive result in their therapeutic approaches?

 

For some time I have been hearing many psychologists say that breathing techniques do not work, some give their “scientific” conclusions as to why they do not obtain the expected results, perhaps to be able to validate their personal conclusions in this regard. As I mentioned in my previous post, I have been practicing yoga for 27 years, and even so I do not consider myself an expert, but I can say that my practice has evolved a lot, and that thanks to the experiences I have had within the process. Nor have I yet reached a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations or philosophy of Yoga, as it is something very complex and it takes many years of practice to understand even a small part of it. So, I think that is the problem, many of the therapists undergo training, obtaining a certification that guarantees them to put these techniques into practice, but the vast majority do not practice them regularly in their daily lives. There is a good intention, as there is a recognition of the benefits of Yoga on people's mental health, but in the attempt to include or adapt it within the therapeutic approach, the real essence of this philosophy is forgotten or lost. In the past, Yoga teachers were not certified people, they were teachers who achieved that mastery because they had obtained an absolute understanding of Yoga through their own personal practice. Consequently, its mission was to teach people for their evolution as human beings. In this loss of essence, confusion of knowledge arises, therapists who do not know exactly what yoga is (that includes meditation or breathing techniques) or differentiate Mindfulness and Yoga for example. If we are therapists and want to understand how meditation or breathing exercises work, it is important that we see where these new approaches come from and investigate, in yoga understanding arises from personal practice. In conclusion I can say that for the use of Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, etc.; To have a successful result within any therapeutic approach, it is necessary for therapists to first delve into their practice, for a deep understanding of the processes and their subsequent application. Being clear that there is a big difference, that this understanding is not achieved with days of training and a certificate, but rather, that it can take a long time, and that it is only achieved with the investigation of our own personal practice.