The first step in this journey of self-discovery is understanding the current state of your breathing capacity. To do this, you can perform a CO₂ Tolerance Test. This test measures how long you can hold your breath after a natural exhalation without feeling panicked or breathless, helping us tailor your breathwork to your actual needs.
In fact, CO₂—the gas we release when we exhale—reveals how well both our respiratory and nervous systems are functioning. It acts as a biological signal telling our body whether to go into alert mode or relax. That is why having a “healthy” physiological tolerance to CO₂ is essential; when tolerance is low, the body tends to trigger a stress response even from minimal stimuli.
I encourage you to give it a try!
Steps to follow:
- Find a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably and have a timer handy. Start bringing your attention to your breath and breathe naturally for 1–2 minutes.
- After a soft, natural exhalation (without forcing it), pinch your nose and start the timer until you feel the first clear urge to breathe again. At that point, release your nose and resume normal breathing through your nose. Record your time in seconds. I strongly advise you not to push or hold longer than is comfortable, as forcing it will produce a score that does not reflect your true baseline.
Remember: This is not about measuring how long you can push through until you can’t hold it anymore, but rather identifying when you notice the very first signal of discomfort.
Submit Your Score to Check Your Breathing Capacity
