Perplexing ‘Yoga’ breathing claims

I have heard many ‘Yoga’ Gurus making claims on how ‘Yoga’ breathing works. I am not sure whether their claims are medically sound.

Many Yoga teachers claim that when you breathe faster and faster, more oxygen gets absorbed by the body and that induces more ‘Pranic energy’ into the body, giving you health and other mysterious benefits. 

But it is well known that the hemoglobin in the blood saturates beyond a level and it cannot absorb more oxygen no matter how fast you try to pump it in. It can only absorb more oxygen when the absorbed oxygen gets depleted at the cells in the body and the blood returns back to the lungs. Considering the natural ratio of roughly 20 breathings to 80 heart beats per minute (fixed by the nature), it seems that there is always enough oxygen in the air drawn in, to match the absorbing capacity of the hemoglobin. And pumping in more may not help.

But what can happen by faster breathing is the following. Faster breathing may deplete the carbon dioxide from the cells at a higher rate. If you think that that is what gives the benefits, a doctor would probably tell you that depleting carbon dioxide faster can be harmful. It can take you to a stage called hyperventilation, which could adversely interfere with the brain function. Some minimum level of carbon dioxide is essential for the brain to function normally. If the level falls below that level, a person may feel dizzy or it can even be fatal.

My doctor friend suspects that the ‘high’ often reported during some ‘Yoga’ breathing sessions may be due to hyperventilation which can make the brain dizzy.

I am not trying to imply that Yoga breathing is not useful. But you don’t need to forcibly alter the breathing pace. Just breathe consciously (that is the key) and in a relaxed manner. That would relax your mind as well as develop better mental focus if done regularly, and for say, 20 minutes per day. And it is all free and safe!