Power of the breath

In my post Getting back to self and finding joy I wrote about creating space to reflect on your feelings, thoughts, motivations and desires – to get curious about what you actually want. When I wrote that post, little did I know it was the precursor to what was to come for me and what I would learn in taking the long road to connect back to myself.

At the time I had begun to realise I was disconnected from myself. I had long ago stopped listening to my gut feelings, what my body was telling me when something wasn’t quite right. This had showed up in my life through staying in jobs when I wasn’t feeling fulfilled for fear of what people would say. Or not speaking up and suppressing my feelings so I didn’t impact others, but really, I was the only one being impacted by having these walls up and to my own detriment.

I’ve felt inspired to write again and share my experiences as I feel there are many in our world wondering why they feel alone when surrounded by people and technology.

Let me introduce you to breathwork. Breathwork has by far been the most valuable tool I have in my toolbox in learning how to reconnect and stay connected with myself. You may have heard of Wim Hof, known as the Ice Man, but Wim’s science behind breathwork is phenomenal. As we often just breathe in our top chest, when we focus on breathing into our diaphragm or belly, multiple physiological reactions start to take place. By simply taking in more oxygen we can improve concentration, create calmness and reduce inflammation in body as we make our bodies more alkaline.

In my experience of breathwork, the change of oxygen levels and blood flow through the body can create unusual sensations in the body. Sometimes it’s a sense of deep stillness, other times it can be tingles in hands and feet, depending on the type of breathwork. Ultimately breathwork regulates our nervous system and in doing so, can bring your mind and body together so you can be completely tuned in.

Breathwork to create calm and stillness

I recommend Box Breathing as this can be done often without others noticing. I regularly use it during the work day between meetings or before I am about to do a presentation. My preferred count is 4 inhale, 4 hold, 4 exhale, 4 hold, repeat with inhale. Here is a You Tube video on Box Breathing and also a deeper approach with 4 -7 - 8 Rhythmic Breathing. The rhythmic breathing approach is 4 inhale, 7 hold, 8 exhale and no pause before recommencing inhale. This style of breathing is very beneficial to support winding down for sleep at night as it quietens the mind and supports the body releasing tension.

Breathwork to create aliveness

I used the term "aliveness" because a more active style of breath creates a profound physiological change in your body, making you feel aware and fully connected to all the energy within you and around you. This type of breathwork is better done when you can lay down and fully express, it’s usually louder as you inhale and exhale, so being somewhere that private where you breathe deeply without being judged will usually work better.

Here is a You Tube video on Wim Hof method style of breathing. The breathing is more purposeful and faster than Box Breathing, with rounds of constant deep breaths through the nose or mouth. Then at the end of the round, exhaling all the oxygen and taking a long breath hold at the bottom, followed by a deep inhale and holding at the top. Before repeating the whole process.

It always surprises me with the breath holds that as your body increases oxygen and becomes alkaline, any hunger for air dissipates and you can hold in total stillness for so much longer that you would have ever thought possible. Just incredible what the body can do. My tip is that after you complete this active breathwork style, don’t jump up immediately but allow yourself a few minutes to just tune into your body before going on with your day.

How to start breathing

It sounds so basic, but even starting one of these practices a couple of times week will create a remarkable difference in you. There are so many videos available like I’ve shared here or guided audio exercises available.

Guided breathwork in person, either individually or a group is highly accessible. Searching under Eventbrite type platforms or through social media you can easily find local community groups and practitioners. It isn’t a hippie woo-woo thing anymore - athletes, working professionals and entrepreneurs are turning to breathwork as an easy and time efficient way to improve health and wellness. You may just find you feel amazing!

I am sharing my story and experiences because if anyone is reading this and feels something isn’t quite right, then I want you to know you are not alone and you have so much power and strength within you to feel differently.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to reach out to me and share your experiences of connecting to your breath.