Shamanic methods are not magic tricks – they are simple techniques that science today can explain and confirm its lifechanging effects.
One of the most used methods to slow down and access a trance state is breathwork. Centuries-old methods of shifting the inhalation/exhalation ratio like Pranayama (Yoga), Zen Buddhism, Tai Chi, etc were ancient vagal maneuvers unwittingly designed to hack the vagus nerve through what the modern science calls the Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
What is HRV? Heart rate variability represents the healthy fluctuation in beat-to-beat intervals of a human or animal’s heart rate. During the inhalation phase of a breathing cycle, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) facilitates a brief acceleration of heart rate; during exhalation, the vagus nerve secretes a transmitter substance (ACh) which causes deceleration within beat-to-beat intervals via the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
On a practical level, if you want to maintain grace under pressure, take a deep abdominal breath?with a big inhale and a long, slow exhale. The same technique is used by athletes and top performers when they need to regain their calm before an impeccable execution.
The same technique can be further applied to access a modified state of consciousness ranging from meditative all the way to deep trance.
For more details and scientific references read the article below: