Let's talk about breathwork.

Breathwork FAQ

When people hear about breathwork they have lots of questions. Here are a few answers. 

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How exactly do you DO breathwork?

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Breathwork can be as simple as paying attention to your breath with more awareness than usual. Taking the time to regularly practice that basic act can make a positive impact on your wellness.

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The type of breathwork that I regularly practice and teach to my clients is called Conscious Connected Breathing.

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It involves breathing deeper and faster than usual, in and out through your mouth, with no pauses and with a relaxed exhale. This specific combo of breathwork moves creates an altered state of consciousness that helps you tap into your body in a powerful way.

What can happen during breathwork?

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Each and ​every breathwork session is different, and each person will have a unique relationship with their breath. That said, here are some things that can happen: 

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• Body sensations (e.g. tingling, warmth, chills, tension)

• Altered consciousness 

• Emotional release & catharsis (e.g. crying, making sound)

• Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in relaxation and stress reduction

• Insight and clarity

• Release of endorphins

• Spiritual or transcendant experience

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As you can see, there's a wide range of experiences that can happen! Sometimes people have a very physical experience, with lots of body-based sensations occuring. Sometimes they have very transcendant experiences, receiving insights or new awarenesses. Some sessions are intense, some sessions are quiet and peaceful.

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Breathwork is going to give you exactly what you need each time, so you can trust that whatever happens is exactly right for you, right now.

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What is a breathwork session like?

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Different practictioners will offer different sessions based on their unique training and style. You can generally expect to be guided through a pattern of breathing for a set about of time, and will be monitored and supported throughout.

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Here's a description of the breathwork sessions I take my clients through:

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Explanation of Breathwork

We begin by talking about breathwork, the benefits, what to expect during the session, and have space for any questions so that you can feel comfortable and prepared for the session. 

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Short Chat

Before we begin breathing, I like to take time with my clients to have a little chat about what is bringing them to breathwork that day. During this chat we can identify areas that you'd like the shift in your life, notice patterns that are ready for your attention, or identify areas in your body where tension is present. 

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During this chat we aren't looking to solve any problems - this isn't talk therapy! We are just making some space to share and then decide what kind of intentions you'd like to set for our time in the breath.

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Grounding Exercise

After lying down and getting comfortable, we start with a grounding exercise to bring our awareness to the body, and to prepare ourselves to breathe.

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Breathwork

Then we start the music! During the sessions I do with clients we listen to a curated music playlist designed to help guide you through the breathwork journey. It's both highly enjoyable and highly effective!

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Once the music is playing you begin the breathing pattern, and I guide and support you as you do.

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It's usually a pretty quick once you start breathing that you'll begin to feel something - whether that's new sensations in your body, emotions rising, or changes to your consciousness. As you keep breathing these experiences will rise and fall like waves, and we allow them and move through them.

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An optional practice I offer in my sessions is intuitive touch and pressure. While you're breathing I will press and hold on areas of tensions to help direct your attention to them. As you keep breathing, these areas of tension are able to be witnessed and released. This aspect of the session can be very supportive and powerful. It's how we work together as a team to move through what comes up as you breathe.

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Relaxation & Integration 

The breathwork portion of my sessions typically lasts an hour, and you'll be surprised how quickly it goes! As we come to the end, you will relax your breathing and it will return to normal. You will have time to rest let everything settle.

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Then there is space to discuss together what you experienced, and any insights you might have from it. This is also optional - some clients prefer to go home and journal about their experiences!

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What benefits are there to practicing breathwork?

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Every person will get something different from breathwork - that's the beauty of it. Your own breath and body will give you exaclty what you need. There are general areas that tend to see improvement with breathwork:​
 

• Stress reduction and relaxation

• Improved mental clarity and focus

• Emotional regulation and balance

• Increased energy levels and vitality

• Better sleep quality and insomnia reduction

• Enhanced physical performance and endurance

• Detoxification and elimination of toxins

• Support for the immune system

• Mind-body connection and self-awareness

• Anxiety reduction and calmness

• Improved respiratory function and lung capacity

• Pain management and tension reduction

• Emotional release and processing

• Spiritual exploration and self-discovery

• Improved digestion through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system

• Mindfulness and presence cultivation

What if I can't get the breathing pattern right?

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This is a common worry, but the great news is that it's impossible to get it wrong! You'll learn a simple pattern that will help facilitate you dropping into your body, and you'll be coached through using it. But ultimately the magic happens when you spend time breathing consciously. Everyone figures it out. You just have to show up, start breathing, and see what happens. 

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Are there any risks involved and how are they addressed?

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As with any activity there are risks to practicing breathwork. All appropriate measures are taken to ensure that clients are kept safe and within their zone of tolerance.

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A few potential risks involve:

• Emotional Intensity

• Hyperventilation

• Physical Strain on Respiratory Muscles

• Challenges with Psychiatric Conditions

• Unpleasant sensations like tingling, cramping or numbness

• Dehydration

• Disorientation

All clients are informed of potential risks and outcomes before each session and concerns are discussed thoroughly before proceeding.

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In order to make breathwork as safe as I can, I center my practice around empowering my clients to make decisions for their own comfort and needs. It's in the small details like choosing whether to have a heater on or off, and feeling safe and empowered to ask for what would feel best. All touch is consent based, with a reminder each time that consent can be revoked at any time. 

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All clients are constantly monitored by a breathwork facilitator, guided through any intensity, and encouraged to slow down if things progress beyond what is within the client's capacity that day.

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Ultimately a large reason to practice breathwork is to learn a new tool that will help you during discomfort - physical or emotional. Breathwork is sometimes uncomfortable, and we learn to breathe through it, and then get to see it pass. That's the growth. 

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Where did you learn breathwork?

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I received my Level 2 Breathwork Certification from Journey Into Breath based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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How do I get started with breathwork?

Breathwork is as simple as taking a minute to pay attention to your breath with more awareness than usual. Try it now and see how it feels!

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If you're interested in trying it out with me, you can attend one of my group classes, or have a one-on-one session together. 

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Contact me with any further questions or if you'd like to explore your options for trying breathwork!

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