BREATHWORK EXPERIENCES
What is Breathwork?
The style of breathwork that I facilitate is called Conscious, Connected Breathwork. It is an intentional, powerful method of breathing that can work very quickly to transform your way of seeing and interacting with the world.
In group and individual sessions, we begin by setting an intention that arises naturally from a period of gentle movement and breath. Your intention will guide you to clear emotional blockages that are holding you back and help you develop clarity for your next steps forward.
After the intention-setting process, we will begin a deep, circular breathing pattern. This breathwork quiets your default thinking pattern, with its preconceived notions and outdated, unconscious, and often limiting beliefs. This allows deeper aspects of your Self to arise, aspects that are fully aligned with your heartfelt desires, often leading to intense emotional breakthroughs and transformational insights.
What are the benefits of doing this style of breathwork?
This breathwork is a technique of deep and rapid breathing that oxygenates your entire body, activates stores of energy, and has the potential to change and deepen your state of consciousness. The effects are myriad and differ greatly from person from person and from experience to experience.
Almost all practitioners will experience one or more of the following:
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Increased energy
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New insights about their life
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A cathartic release of emotions, often letting go of long-held, block emotions
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A new sense of empowerment to make needed changes in their lives
For sure, you will leave feeling better - more relaxed, with clearer thinking and renewed energy. This all happens in a safe and held environment where all experiences are welcome, so you can let down your guard and just breathe!
I'm in recovery.
Is breathwork appropriate for me?
Almost all people who struggle with compulsive or addictive behaviors are holding on to grief or resentment that colors their perception of the world and blocks them from moving forward with ease and clarity.
At various points in recovery, many people feel lost and aren't sure what path is most aligned with who they are or want to be.
Breathwork is a modality that facilitates emotional release and helps people clarify their intentions for themselves, making it an especially effective and beneficial practice for people who have struggled with addictions.
Breathwork is done without the use of chemicals or plants. You are always in control of your experience, and if any of the effects become overwhelming or uncomfortable, all you have to do is return to your normal breathing. Your body will return to homeostasis rapidly.
Please note:
Breathwork is very safe for most people, but here are some of the noted contraindications:
Pregnancy
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
History of aneurysms (including family)
Epilepsy or history of seizures
History of psychosis
Osteoporosis
Recent surgery
Glaucoma
An active addiction
Untreated mental illness
If you are unsure whether breathwork is right for you, please check with your doctor.
I'm also available for:
Corporate and Group Programs in mindfulness, yoga, and health education that are tailored to your community's needs, from community building classes to complete wellness programs
Integrative Yoga Sessions for long-term, sustainable healing using breath, movement, and yoga psychology that integrates your needs for purpose, health, and a balanced nervous system
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How are recovery mentoring different than coaching or other types of therapy?While I do have the the qualifications for wellness coaching, my philosophical allegiance is with peer support and the long history of yoga teachers working with students 1-on-1. I start from there and integrate other modalities when they are helpful. I am not a therapist, nor do I have the qualifications to offer therapy. My goal is to guide you to discover new ways of experiencing and interacting with the world that lead to greater health in all the domains of your life. The primary vehicle we will use is yoga, broadly defined as a system of practices that lead to a quieter mind and a life filled with purpose. This is not physical therapy either. Physical therapy uses a targeted approach for a specific area of the body. Yoga works with the body as a whole, seeing physical health as inseparable from mental health. Our goal when working with the physical body will be to address root causes of suffering such as chronic stress or unhelpful movement patterns. They often go together. Integrative yoga sessions complement and support the work of other healing modalities, including western medicine.
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I take prescriptions or use other healing modalities. What are your feelings about that?I take a solutions-oriented, person-first approach to well-being. I strongly believe that everyone gets to decide what bests supports their recovery and that everyone's journey is unique. Neither yoga nor recovery is one-size-fits-all. My work with you will always support your choices regarding other modalities, including western medicine. Part of what we do together is integrate all of the avenues of healing that you find useful.
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What is the difference between the breathwork we do in yoga and breathwork experiences?Pranayama is the traditional yogic term for breathing practices. Most breath instruction given in yoga classes is meant to encourage a state of "rest and digest." It is generally gentle and relaxing. The style of breathwork done in experience sessions is a specific breathing technique that intentionally stimulates your nervous system for a limited period of time. It is hard work, and the effects are often dramatic and life-changing. If what you want to learn are breath practices that improve focus, relaxation, and awareness, or if you want to work on improving your default breathing patterns, then integrative yoga sessions are a better fit. If you are looking for a more intense experience to rapidly shift your perspective, clear blocks, or release stored emotions, then this style of breathwork will be a great place to start. Most of us benefit from both.
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How intense is the altered state of consciousness that occurs during breathwork?The intensity of this altered state will be perceived differently by each person and at each session. The important thing to know is that you are always in control! You have not ingested a chemical or plant substance. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, you can stop the technique and return to normal breathing, which will quickly bring you back to homeostasis.
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Is breathwork safe?Breathwork is a healing modality that is safe and effective for most people. Having said that, please read the list of contraindications listed below. The beauty of breathwork is that are always in control of your experience. Unlike when taking a chemical or plant substance, the effects of breathwork quickly pass simply by breathing normally. If you become overwhelmed for any reason, you can simply discontinue the technique and breathe slowly through your nose. The only two responses I have seen which may feel uncomfortable are an intense emotional release and a physical symptom called tetany. Tetany is muscular cramping, typically in the hands. It is not harmful, and it passes when the breath returns to normal. Intense emotional experiences will likely feel cathartic and necessary, but they may also feel overwhelming. Remember that you are 100% in charge. You simply return to your normal breath and your body will quickly return to homeostasis.
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Are there contraindications for breathwork?Yes. Here are some commonly discussed contraindications for this type of breathwork. Please be aware that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. Please check with your doctor before participating if you have questions or concerns. Pregnancy Cardiovascular disease High blood pressure History of aneurisms (including family) Epilepsy or history of seizures History of psychosis Osteoporosis Recent surgery Glaucoma An active addiction Untreated mental illness
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Are there contraindications for yoga?No! There are contraindications for particular poses, but not for the practice itself. We will address potential contraindications together based on your health history. Having particular health concerns that may affect your practice is a great reason to take private yoga classes. With guidance, yoga is a very safe practice that can be tailored to every body.
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What is the difference between the breathwork we do in yoga and conscious, connected breathwork?Pranayama is the traditional yogic term for breathing practices. Most breath instruction given in yoga classes is meant to encourage a state of "rest and digest." It is generally gentle and relaxing. Conscious, connected breathwork is a specific breathing technique that intentionally stimulates your nervous system for a limited period of time. It is hard work, and the effects are often dramatic and life-changing. If what you want to learn are breath practices that improve focus, relaxation, and awareness, or if you want to work on improving your default breathing patterns, then integrative yoga sessions are a better fit. If you are looking for a more intense experience to rapidly shift your perspective, clear blocks, or release stored emotions, then conscious, connected breathwork will be a great place to start. Most of us benefit from both.
-
How intense is the altered state of consciousness that occurs during breathwork?The intensity of this altered state will be perceived differently by each person and at each session. The important thing to know is that you are always in control! You have not ingested a chemical or plant substance. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, you can stop the technique and return to normal breathing, which will quickly bring you back to homeostasis.
-
Is breathwork safe?Breathwork is a healing modality that is safe and effective for most people. It can be intense, but it's your breath and you always get to decide how to breathe! Having said that, please read the list of contraindications listed below. The beauty of breathwork is that are always in control of your experience. Unlike when taking a chemical or plant substance, the effects of breathwork quickly pass simply by breathing normally. If you become overwhelmed for any reason, you can simply discontinue the technique and breathe slowly through your nose. The only two responses I have seen which may feel uncomfortable are an intense emotional release and a physical symptom called tetany. Tetany is muscular cramping, typically in the hands. It is not harmful, and it passes when the breath returns to normal. Intense emotional experiences will likely feel cathartic and necessary, but they may also feel overwhelming. Remember that you are 100% in charge. You simply return to your normal breath and your body will quickly return to homeostasis.
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Are there contraindications for breathwork?Yes. Here are some commonly discussed contraindications for this type of breathwork. Please be aware that this list is not meant to be exhaustive. Please check with your doctor before participating if you have questions or concerns. Pregnancy Cardiovascular disease High blood pressure History of aneurisms (including family) Epilepsy or history of seizures History of psychosis Osteoporosis Recent surgery Glaucoma An active addiction Untreated mental illness