
The Power of Breathing

Somatic Breathwork
Everything you need to know
The past few years has shown a recent surge in Breathwork and the more popular it becomes, the more we see that the breath has a corresponding effect on how we think and feel. The power of breathing is very underestimated and yet, it is the one thing that we cannot live without for more than a few moments. Its is also the thing that we can control.
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​Breathwork has shown to positively effect conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression. Even a few deep breaths can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels and increase parasympathetic tone. Breathwork is also known to alkalise the blood PH, increase muscle tone, it has anti-inflammatory effects, elevates the mood, and can bring clarity of the mind, as well as bring emotional and physical release of old tension patterns stored in the body. Clients who receive regular breath sessions have reported profound shifts in mental and physical health and are able to learn tools and techniques to support them in their day to day life.
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​Breath is the way we access life force, sexual, creative, energy. We are often afraid to allow this energy to flow, sometimes afraid of it’s power. And in some cases there is shame related to this energy due to religious, family or cultural conditioning. We breathe shallowly and contract our body to prevent us from feeling, as well as numbing and disconnecting from our emotions and physical sensations. Through breath work, we can begin to connect with our body and bring about long lasting changes and shifts.
The breath is the ultimate multi-functional tool for life which we can use to regulate our system as and when is required. Through the breath it is possible to charge and energise the body with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. It is possible to move into rest and digest through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. You may achieve deep states of relaxation, heightened states of consciousness, or release long held trauma and emotions from the body. There are many types of Breathwork to choose from. Some teach nostril breathing, some teach mouth breathing, some teach breath retention. Some experience Breathwork as an outer body experience, some experience it as an IN the body experience. Others describe it as a shamanic or healing process. Each persons experience is highly individual and unique. And one session can be very different to the next.
I'm a Somatic Breathwork practitioner. Somatic means “relating to the body” for me this is both your physical body and the body of your emotions. Somatic Breathwork focuses on manipulating your breath patterns to feel calmer and safer.
While most people use Breathwork to calm down, it can also be used to stress the nervous system by teaching your body to experience that kind of stress and not feel threatened by it helps to build resilience. By breathing as you would in a fight or flight situation, you teach your body that these stress signals are not always a cause for alarm. This helps you feel safe even when your body is mobilized for performance.
It is common for old traumas to reveal themselves through a breath session, and the involuntary physical sensations which can show up in a session may also take a little getting used to. Please consult your doctor before you start a Breathwork practice if you have a history of cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, or are currently taking antipsychotic medications.
​“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” - Carl Jung
1:1 Breathwork Sessions
​ These sessions are recommended as a series of 4 sessions, or single session general maintenance practice for ongoing physical, mental and emotional health care.
These sessions are perfect for those who are new to breathwork and want to explore layer by layer, gently meeting every feeling, emotion and sensation as it arises. These sessions are also great for those who are looking to release thought patterns, behavioural patterns and self limiting beliefs.