In an era of relentless lifestyles and escalating stress, practices like Breathwork are gaining increased popularity. The demanding nature of our society often leaves individuals struggling to connect with their bodies and find moments of stillness amongst perpetual busyness. Recognising this need for balance, my passion lies in introducing individuals to the transformative realm of Breathwork.
Breathwork is an umbrella term used for various breathing practices in which the conscious control of breathing influences a person's mental, emotional or physical state, with a therapeutic effect. From ancient yogis and pranayama techniques to contemporary functional breathing, the breath serves as an ancient tool for consciously navigating the mind and accessing altered states of awareness.
Navigating the various Breathwork modalities can be overwhelming, especially as a beginner, therefore I intend for this blog post to help you with a beginners guide to breathwork. With a surge in scientific information supporting the growing popularity of Breathwork, it becomes crucial for individuals to discern which technique aligns with their unique needs. Recognising that we all have distinct experiences and factors to consider in our breathwork practice, it's essential to understand that what works well for one person may not necessarily be suitable for another.
Through my experience, I've learned that the most profound insights emerge from self-awareness and understanding—listening to your emotional body and nervous system guides you toward the most suitable Breathwork tool at that time.
Before delving further, let's explore the meanings behind the words 'breath' and 'breathe.' In Latin, 'breath' translates to 'spirit,' highlighting the breath's role as the life force connecting the physical and spiritual realms. On the other hand, 'breathe' translates to 'respire,' emphasising the breath's capacity to respire your being—inspiring you.
When feeling uninspired, remember to breathe!
Therefore, in short, Breathwork is no 'little thing'. Your presence here, exploring the potential of Breathwork, is not a coincidence. Breathing is the essence of our existence—a source of feeling, healing, and liberation from constriction.
The first pillar of breathwork is breath awareness. To gain an understanding of ourselves, our breath pattern, and to pinpoint areas of restriction, it is highly recommended to incorporate a daily breath awareness practice. Breath awareness is simply about dedicating at least 10 minutes solely to focus on your breath, letting go of distractions, and directing all your attention to your breathing. It involves observing how you currently breathe and making note of your observation. Here are some questions to guide your breath awareness practice.
Does your breath flow effortlessly in and out?
Do you sense any struggle during inhalation?
Notice as you inhale: do your shoulders rise?
Does your belly or chest rise first during inhalation?
Do you catch yourself holding your breath?
Does your breath feel stuck during inhalation?
Is your breath rapid or slow?
Do you sometimes feel unable to catch your breath?
Document your breathwork practice by journaling your observations, thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This holistic approach to breath awareness allows you to track changes over time. With consistent practice, you may notice improvements such as reduced breathlessness, diminished anxiety or its absence, enhanced sleep quality, improved focus and concentration, increased energy and alertness, reduced fatigue and mental fogginess, and a more positive mindset. Maintaining a daily practice is crucial for your ongoing progress.
In addition, as always it's important to give thanks to the intelligence of the breath for gifting us with wisdom, truth, and simplicity.
If you're new to breathwork or interested in deepening your current practice and seeking guidance, I recommend scheduling a private session. This will enable us to delve into your specific needs and bring together a personalised breath plan to help you with your needs. Sessions are accessible both online and in person.
Private Sessions available to you: It is recommended to engage in a minimum of three private sessions. Consistency in following your personalised breath plan throughout our weekly progression is crucial to fully experience the benefits. If you are ready to explore the world of breath, check out my available services below.
1 hour Functional Breath Training
This one-hour breath session is designed for anyone keen on enhancing their breathing efficiency and integrating breathwork into their daily routine. Functional breathing is your everyday breathing habits and the foundation of breathwork. Studies have shown that 50% - 80% of adults having some sort of dysfunctional breathing. This means we are not using our number one resource properly, resulting in various health conditions. Whether you experience anxiety, asthma, sleep apnea, breathlessness, constant sighing, or fatigue, this session provides you with valuable tools to address and manage these challenges effectively.
1 hour Sports Performance Breath Training
For individuals leading an active, on-the-go lifestyle or professional athletes excelling in their fields. The current surge in the USA sees many athletes now having a breath trainer on their team, emphasising the importance of proper lung utilisation and mindfulness in their practice. This session is specifically crafted to elevate sports performance, incorporating diverse breathing techniques with movement and the use of specialised breathing apparatus. If you're intrigued by how breath can positively impact your gym sessions or seek assistance in optimizing your professional sports career, don't hesitate to contact.
90 minute Breathwork Journey - Mind, Body and Spirit
This is for you if you are seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, allowing yourself to explore the true power of breathwork and aligning your mind, body and spirit within. During this practice we work with the breath, affirmations and intention setting to enforce positive shift in mindset and releasing and reshaping old limiting beliefs. The technique used during this practice is known as Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB), this technique works on a theaurputic level and a cellular level facilitating a nervous system reset. This self-healing technique helps people to access the full potential of their breathing system for better physical, emotional and mental well-being. There are many different experiences a person can have during this practice and each session is never the same. If you are ready to explore the deeper layers of breathwork, this session is for you.
120 minute Oxygen Advantage & CCB Journey
Functional breathing meets the depths of conscious circular breathing. In this session, you'll start with guided functional breathing techniques supported by theory, providing you with a deep understanding of each method for integration into your daily practice. Followed by the deeper layers of breathwork exploring the depths within for emotional healing and nervous system regulation. If you are looking for the ultimate reset and breathwork experience this is for you. The session concludes with down-regulating techniques, leading you into a profound meditation and relaxation.
To reserve your breathwork experience, book your experience email samantha@ibreathecommunity.co.uk
I look forward to breathing with you and welcoming you into the iBreathe Community.
Thank you for taking the time to read
With love,
Sammy x
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