What is breathwork?
Breathwork has been highly popularized over the last few years however it is a practice that has been around for centuries. New research and scientific evidence is now reaffirming the knowledge the ancient yogis gained through experience- improving overall health not just related to the lungs, encouraging homeostasis or balance, healing the body physically and emotionally, and reducing stress while encouraging a calm peaceful state. But you might be wondering what exactly is breathwork? And which kind is right for me? With so many new variations of breathwork being created there will be nuances with each style, so below I offer a very generalized description of the main “umbrella” categories that the individualized breath techniques fall under.
General Breathing working with the mechanics and muscles for improving mobility, capacity, and muscles involved with breathing.
Pranayama is a yogic style breathwork where each technique will have different impacts or encourage different “outcomes.”
What I am calling Breathwork for Everyday Life. Tools to reduce stress and anxiety, facilitate ease, improve focus, help with sleep. Many of these stem from ancient yogic breath techniques [pranayama.]
Breath Therapy for healing, personal growth or accessing emotional, mental, physical, spiritual layers of one’s self. This breathwork also has the potential for the breather to enter an altered state of mind or consciousness. This is also a great substance free alternative for those interested in psilocybin, ayahuasca, or other plant therapies.
You can book a private session focused on any of these approaches or reach out to see which would be the best fit for you and your goals. Throughout the year, I offer in person and virtual workshops on a range of topics incorporating these breathing techniques- be the first to know of new offerings through my newsletter here. * Scroll down to learn more about the specific Breath Therapy I offer: Integral BreathTherapy.
Upcoming Breath Events:
A deeper dive into Integral Breath Therapy…
Breathwork has been around thousands of years as a tool for personal and spiritual growth. Integral breathwork therapy combines techniques of circular connected breath with facilitation techniques. It is a modality that can connect you to deep emotional, mental and physical blocks, habits, patterns and past experiences. The breath helps to let go of the control of the mind to tap into the inner wisdom of the body and the facilitations can also be used with current life situations. By breaking the ingrained distortion patterns of the breath that are related to past experiences stored in the body, you can release blockages, heal and balance the body, mind, and spirit. If breathwork is a new technique for you, please know that you are eased into the process by first becoming comfortable with the circular breath style and that you are supported all along the way; you will never address something that you are not ready to approach. Beyond the personal growth and development aspects, it also expands lung capacity and oxygen absorption. For anyone experienced with pranayama, this is not your typical yogic style breathing, however through this technique you can “free your breath” even more which will continue to deepen your own breath practices. You can learn more about this Integral Breathwork Therapy through my teacher and the creator Carol.
Please note that in- person sessions offer a greater range of breathing techniques and facilitations than online sessions. This is to ensure that you feel completely supported. Online sessions are focused on slow circular breathing along with guided meditations and facilitations.
