what the heck is breathwork anyway?


First, I really just want to tell you how obsessed I am. I feel like I felt when I first made my way to yoga 25 years ago! I.am.so.obsessed. This healing modality has led to some very profound healing for me and I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to incorporate this into my life. To say that it has shifted my life would be an understatement.

It works.

And, honestly, it shouldn’t surprise us that it does work. Our bodies are freaking miracles and OF COURSE we intrinsically have the tool that we need to relieve stress, anxiety, trauma, fatigue and to improve concentration, energy, focus and create a deeper connection to ourselves and our subconscious minds.

Of course we were created with everything that we need to heal.

Of course we are the medicine.

But, how many of us really know that? How many of us have a direct experience of the profound healing power of intentional breathing? I hope that you will one day raise your hand as one of these people!

I want to give you a bit of background though so that you can get a greater sense of what breathwork actually is.

Breathwork is a term used to describe a variety of techniques that focus on the breath as a tool for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The practice of breathwork dates back thousands of years and has been used by many cultures and traditions as a means of promoting health and well-being. In recent years, breathwork has experienced a resurgence in popularity as people look for natural and holistic ways to improve their health and well-being. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of breathwork and discover why it is such a powerful tool for self-improvement.

Definition Of Breathwork

Breathwork refers to a collection of practices that use controlled breathing as a means of promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health. Breathwork can be practiced alone or with a group, and typically involves focusing on the breath as a way to bring about physical, mental, and emotional change. Some simple exercises can be done alone, but if you want to go on an hour-long guided journey, a breathwork facilitator will be needed. Breathwork can take many different forms, from simple breathing exercises to more complex practices that involve visualization, sound, and movement. The goal of breathwork is to use the breath as a tool for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. By using the breath to bring awareness to the body and mind, breathwork can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve physical health, and promote spiritual growth.

In recent years, breathwork has become increasingly popular as people look for natural and holistic ways to improve their health and well-being. The growing popularity of breathwork can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a growing awareness of the many benefits of breathwork, including improved physical and mental health, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased feelings of peace and calm. Secondly, breathwork is accessible and easy to practice, making it an attractive option for those seeking to improve their health and well-being. Finally, breathwork is also becoming more widely available, with many studios and schools offering classes and workshops that teach various forms of breathwork.

The growing popularity of breathwork is a testament to its effectiveness as a tool for self-improvement. Whether you are looking to reduce stress and anxiety, improve physical health, or find inner peace, breathwork is a simple and effective practice that can help you achieve your goals. By harnessing the power of the breath, you can bring about positive change in your life and discover a new level of well-being and happiness.

Physical Benefits Of Breathwork

Breathwork offers many physical benefits, including:

  • Improved cardiovascular health: By increasing the oxygen supply to the body, breathwork can help to strengthen the heart and improve circulation.

  • Reduced stress and anxiety: Deep breathing has a calming effect on the body and mind, reducing anxiety and stress levels.

  • Increased energy: Stress is known to sap energy from the body, and reducing stress through breathwork can lead to increased energy levels.

  • Improved lung capacity: Deep breathing helps to strengthen the muscles used in breathing, leading to improved lung capacity.

  • Better sleep: Breathwork can help to calm the mind and reduce stress, leading to better sleep and improved overall health.

  • Improved digestion: Breathwork can help to stimulate the digestive system and improve the elimination of waste and toxins from the body.

  • Reduced pain: Breathwork has been shown to reduce pain levels, making it an effective tool for managing chronic pain.

  • Better physical performance: Breathwork can help to improve physical performance by increasing oxygenation and reducing muscle tension.

Overall, breathwork offers many physical benefits that can help to improve overall health and well-being. Whether you are looking to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress and anxiety, or simply feel more energetic, breathwork can help you achieve your goals.

Mental Benefits Of Breathwork

Breathwork offers many mental benefits, including:

  • Reduced stress and anxiety: Breathing exercises have a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and anxiety levels.

  • Improved focus and concentration: Breathwork can help to clear the mind and increase focus and concentration.

  • Increased feelings of peace and calm: By bringing awareness to the present moment, breathwork can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote inner peace.

  • Improved mental clarity: Breathwork can help to clear the mind and improve mental clarity, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.

  • Improved mood: Deep breathing has been shown to release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of depression.

  • Increased creativity: Breathwork can help to clear the mind and increase creativity, making it an effective tool for artists, writers, and other creatives.

  • Improved memory and cognitive function: Breathwork can help to improve memory and cognitive function by increasing oxygenation to the brain.

  • Better sleep: Breathwork can help to calm the mind and reduce stress, leading to better sleep and improved overall mental health.

  • By offering a wide range of mental benefits, breathwork can be an effective tool for improving mental health and well-being. Whether you are looking to reduce stress and anxiety, increase focus and concentration, or simply improve your overall mood, breathwork can help you achieve your goals.

TRANSFORMATIONAL BREATHWORK JOURNEYS

When people hear the word “breathwork” they often think about mellow, relaxed, meditative type breathing.

But the technique I use in these Transformational Breathwork Journeys is the absolute opposite of that. Nothing snoozy about it.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

We will gather via zoom, do a little check in, say “hey hey what’s up” and then we will begin. You will lie down on your back. I recommend having a blanket over you and you are welcome to use an eye pillow if you like.

Next, I will turn on an awesome playlist (duh), pump up the volume will guide you through a pattern of breathing that is in and out through the mouth. I’ll be guiding you through it the whole way and also shouting motivational stuff over the songs. Good thing about zoom is that you have control of your own volume, but I recommend you go on the louder side of things for greater impact. I mean if you are going to be in it, you might as well be in it! There will be a couple of times that we hold the breath and at the end of the session, we all let out a massive yell/scream and then I will guide you through some visualizations and meditations to integrate and bring you back.

There are all sorts of amazing things that happen during these sessions but one of the most interesting is Transient Hypofrontality - which basically means that activity to the pre-frontal cortex is temporarily reduced and the fuel to the monkey mind is temporarily cut off. In other words, your inner critic and the negative thought patterns are forced to shut the heck up. And this is when the magic happens.

There is nothing relaxing about this. It is activating and requires work. But it is life-changing work that has the power to create incredible shifts and transformation. #worthit

If you have any stress.
If you have any trauma.
If you have any struggle.
If you want to love yourself more.
If you want to heal.
If you want to get unstuck…
this can help.

Basically if you are a human being breathwork is for you.

I will keep singing its praises but to truly know you have to experience it. Even just one session can have a profound impact.

I went in a skeptic on the benefits believing it would "calm my nervous system" and help me better relax.  How wrong I was. Yes, it did all of that, but SO much more I didn't expect. The technique put me into such a deep meditative state that it felt like I went into my subconscious and opened up drawers.  Lots of good and bad things were revealed.  Probably the most powerful was my vision of being at the bottom of a well and looking up to the brightness of daylight wishing I could be there.  Lots of self-work to do to find my joy again and this helped me visualize the confined head space I've been stuck in.  Time to climb out and live again. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for providing me this experience.  I'm a believer in the power of breath!!” ~AP (TBJ participant)