EP 2: The Power of Breathwork: Transforming Your Life One Breath at a Time
Welcome back to another episode of Breathe More. For the second episode, I wanted to dive into what breathwork is. It is a word that maybe you've heard of, maybe you haven't. Maybe you're not even really sure what it means. I'm going to give you my definition and also how I use it in my practice, which is very different from how other people or other breathwork facilitators use it. But before we dive in, I want you, if you're able to, to gently close your eyes, or just drop your gaze. And notice your breath. How are you breathing at this moment? Are you holding your breath? Does it feel like there's some tightness in your chest? Or are you noticing that your breathing feels effortless, and it's long and deep? And it makes you feel good. And now slowly and gently take a deep breath in through your nose. And let's hold our breath to the count of 5-4-3-2-1 and a slow, long exhale out of your mouth. Let's take another deep breath in. And hold your breath again to the count of 5-4-3-2-1 and slow, long exhale out of your mouth. And when you're ready, you can open your eyes again, or come back to this present moment.
Our breath is something that our body does naturally. Most of us don't even notice it or aren't aware of it. Yet out of the 20,000 breaths that you take every single day, it's giving you information. It's reflecting back to you how you're feeling, and what your emotional status is. So at the beginning of this practice, I had you notice your breath. If you noticed that your breathing felt shallow, that you were breathing using your chest, then that's telling me that you're probably feeling stressed out. If you notice that your breath is using your diaphragm, deep belly breaths that have felt soft and easy, that tells me that you are feeling safe, relaxed, and at ease.
The beautiful thing about your breath is that you have the power to manipulate it to change it. So if you're feeling a certain way, where you don't want to feel that way anymore, if you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, low on energy, you can use your breath to change that. It's simple, it's free, and you can do it at any time. Breathwork is basically you manipulating your breath; it's an active form of meditation.
One of the reasons that I love breathwork is because it's for anyone who considers themselves not good at meditating. Many people say, "I suck at meditating, I can't sit still, my mind is always super busy." Well, with breathwork, we're not quieting our minds. We're just following our breath. We're noticing it and changing it.
Breathwork is a general term used to describe different types of breathing techniques. The technique that I use with my clients and my students is a two-stage breathing pattern. I have them breathe using their diaphragm first, followed by an inhale into their chest, and then an exhale. We do this in a circular breath pattern for about 20 minutes during my breathwork sessions.
What this does is help bring their body to a state of safety, of rest and digestion. We're able to switch our nervous system from being in high alert (the sympathetic) to the parasympathetic, which is a state of calm and relaxation. This state is essential, especially if you need to make important decisions or want to stop automatic reactions. It allows you to be in charge in the present moment and respond to what's happening in front of you.
There are various types of breathwork practices, such as Breath of Fire and Wim Hof, which is more intense and focuses on hyper-oxygenation. However, my approach is gentle and suitable for most people. I never want to re-traumatize my clients or make them feel unsafe. Many people live in a society that encourages dissociation, distraction, and numbing rather than being present in their bodies. I work gently with them to ensure they feel safe and gradually increase their capacity to hold and process their emotions.
One aspect that sets me apart as a breathwork facilitator is my intuitive approach. As I guide my clients, I honor what comes up for them and empower them to decide how much they're comfortable breathing. It's not about overwhelming them or causing stress; it's about supporting their unique journey.Â
Another unique aspect of my practice is my clairvoyant abilities. I've discovered that I can receive messages during breathwork sessions. Initially, I wasn't sure how people would react, but I found that sharing these messages with my clients often resonated with them deeply. This ability to tap into intuition is something we all possess but may have suppressed over time. Through breathwork, I've reconnected with this innate gift and now use it to enhance my clients' healing and self-discovery.
To further develop my clairvoyance and protect my energy, I attended a clairvoyant school for nearly two years. This has allowed me to serve my clients more effectively, with accelerated results. Many clients have experienced breakthroughs in just one session, even after years of traditional therapy. This approach demonstrates that there are various ways to embark on a healing journey.
In my breathwork practice, I delve deeper than surface-level awareness. We explore inner child healing, self-worth, self-love, and confidence building. Breathwork isn't just about regulating your nervous system; it's a tool for healing and transformation. It enables you to reprogram limiting beliefs and access creative problem-solving abilities.
Some of my clients use breathwork for creative problem-solving, especially those in high-stress roles like entrepreneurs and business owners. By entering a meditative state during breathwork, they can quiet their fear-based thoughts and tap into expansive possibilities.
In conclusion, breathwork is a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery, and transformation. It's accessible to everyone, even those who struggle with traditional meditation. My approach is gentle, intuitive, and tailored to your unique needs. If you're curious about how breathwork can help you, consider exploring my Breathwork for Anxiety program or my Dream Bigger Mastermind for manifesting your goals.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of breathwork. I look forward to connecting with you soon as we continue to explore the incredible potential of the breath.
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