When the word "breathwork" is used, people often think of it as a gentle mindfulness practice, most associated with calmly focusing on slow inhales and exhales. There is truth in this; breathwork is essentially about bringing focus to your breath. If you've watched any of my recent Facebook Live sessions, you'll notice that the breathwork we do involves this calm focus.
The breathwork sessions and events I hold involve a different breathing technique altogether. Instead of gentle, slow inhales and exhales, you actively breathe. What does this mean? It means you consciously focus on the in-breath while paying no attention or focus to the out-breath; it simply happens naturally.
So, what's the difference? It's important to mention that all forms of breathwork are beneficial, and I encourage you to explore different types to see what resonates with you. However, if you've ever experienced an active breathing breathwork session, you'll know it can be a truly transformative experience.
What is this magic? Breathwork beautifully balances science and spirituality. Let me address a few important scientific aspects first, for those who might be hesitant about the spiritual aspect.
The first thing breathwork does is regulate the incredibly complex nervous system. In your body, you have a large nerve called the vagus nerve, running from your brain to your stomach. Prolonged stress can deactivate this nerve, leading to issues such as digestive problems, sleep disturbances, a weakened immune system, muscle pain, irregular breathing, high blood pressure, irritability, a sense of not coping, overwhelming emotions, and more.
Active breathing has two significant effects on your nervous system. First, it helps build stress tolerance, enhancing your ability to cope with high levels of stress. Trauma often leads to low stress tolerance, and active breathing, in a controlled and safe environment, can help increase it, making you less likely to feel overwhelmed in stressful situations.
The second effect of active breathing is the reactivation of the dormant vagus nerve. This sends signals to your body that you are safe, leading to improved digestion, better sleep, a strengthened immune system, reduced muscle pain, and a sense of coping ability. It can even aid in weight loss.
Active breathing also helps release toxins. Approximately 70% of bodily toxins are eliminated through your breath. Prolonged stress and anxiety can lead to shallow chest and shoulder breathing, reducing lung function and causing a buildup of carbon dioxide at the bottom of your lungs. This causes the body to be more acidic. This imbalance in pH levels can lead to health issues like arthritis and kidney problems, as well as digestive problems, immune system dysfunction, nervous system issues, and skin problems. You may also become more susceptible to illnesses like colds and flu and experience acne.
Active breathing, by introducing more oxygen at a rapid pace, restores the balance of pH levels in your body, expels stagnant carbon dioxide in the lungs, and encourages diaphragmatic breathing.
There is a wealth of scientific information I could delve into, but I'd like to focus on the spiritual aspects.
The spirituality in breathwork is the magic. Active breathing connects you with yourself in a way that can only be fully understood through experience. It offers a unique opportunity to get to know yourself better, gain clarity on confusing decisions, and experience vivid imagery, sounds, and sensations. It's a chance to reconnect with the part of yourself that may have been lost for a long time.
Living in a prolonged state of stress and anxiety can disconnect your mind from your body. This is partly due to an overactive mind and partly because of the vagus nerve shutting down. You've been so focused on what your brain is saying that you've forgotten how to listen to your body.
Active breathing brings you back into your body, helping you connect with your emotions, release them, and heal from past traumas. Many breathwork facilitators often say, "the body knows the score," and it truly does. Your body remembers, and it stores these memories, often causing physical discomfort. Have you ever wondered why your hip always hurts, or why your shoulder and neck are stiff? Your body is trying to tell you that it remembers something, but you've forgotten how to listen and release it. Call it intuition, call it a gut feeling – it all becomes clearer when you bring your focus to your breath.
Breathwork is changing lives, whether through active breathing or gentle inhales and exhales. I can guide you on your breathwork journey through a 12-week program desgiend for those suffering from anxiety, called Overcoming Anxiety. A personalised one-on-one Soul Journey, or my intimate Somatic Healing Events for small groups of 6-8 people.
Book a session and experience the transformative power of breath.
Comentarios