Tetany in Breathwork? NO WAY.
One of the most common — and misunderstood — questions I hear in the world of breathwork is:
“Is tetany normal?”
Let me be clear: NO WAY.
I just made a video over a week ago discussing tetany and another video a few days ago describing how “tingles” may be a good sign.
Tetany is not a breakthrough.
It’s not a mystical release.
It’s not something to be sought after or tolerated.
Tetany is a physiological disorder — a sign that something has gone wrong in the breathwork process.
What Is Tetany, Really?
Tetany refers to involuntary muscle contractions, cramps, or spasms, usually caused by over-breathing or hyperventilation.
One of the most recognizable signs is what’s often called “lobster claws” — where the hands curl inward tightly and painfully. You might also feel cramping in the feet, a clenched jaw, or twitching in the face.
This is not a healthy sign.
This is the nervous system going into a state of biochemical imbalance.
In more medical terms, tetany often results from low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia), which can be triggered when carbon dioxide levels drop too far — which happens during intense or improperly guided breathwork.
The body becomes electrically unstable.
Nerves misfire.
Muscles cramp.
This is not subtle energy moving. This is the body saying:
“Stop. You’ve gone too far.”
Tingles vs. Tetany: Know the Difference
Now, many people ask me:
“But what about tingles? Aren’t they a part of breathwork too?”
Absolutely — and here’s the key distinction.
A tingle is a healthy, vibrant sensation. It’s often a subtle vibration or aliveness felt centrally in the body — in the chest, spine, or lower belly. These tingles usually arise:
These central tingles are a sign of refinement, of energy moving with clarity and integration.
Peripheral symptoms, on the other hand — like clawed hands, spasming feet, or numb lips — are not tingles. They are classic signs of tetany and typically reveal that:
Even powerful practices like kapalabhati can bring a healthy tingle — but if you feel lightheaded or foggy around the forehead, that’s not a benefit. That’s hyperventilation, plain and simple.
Breathwork Is a Skill — Not a Spectacle
Breathwork isn’t just about “doing it hard” or chasing a peak. That approach might give a rush, but it doesn’t give depth.
That is breath done crudely.
In truth, breath is a skill. An art. A refined, embodied practice.
When done with care and intelligence, it builds resilience, clarity, vitality, and deep regulation.
When done poorly — without nuance, guidance, or containment — it leads to overwhelm, imbalance, and yes, tetany.
If You Experience Tetany, Here’s What to Do
Breathwork is powerful. It’s not casual.
If you’re practicing without a skilled teacher, you’re flying without a compass.
The Bottom Line
Tetany is not a spiritual sign.
It’s not transformation.
It’s your body telling you something’s off.
And you don’t need to go there to access the real benefits of breathwork.
Tingles? Yes.
Balance? Yes.
Strength and subtlety? Absolutely.
But tetany? No.
Ready to Learn Breathwork the Right Way?
If you want to understand the breath — deeply and safely — Samahita is the right place.
Our team are so well-trained and teach breathwork not as a performance, but as a pathway to clarity, vitality, and longevity. It’s refined. It’s embodied. And it’s built on decades of experience and precision.
I would say join our Breath-to-Pranayama Training course this July26-Aug 16 but it is on a long waiting list. But do join it in 2026.