How Breathwork changed my life

“The difference between fear and excitement is the breath .” - Gay Hendricks

Why am I such a nerd about breathing?

If we’ve met, in person, through social media or the podcast, chances are you’ve heard me talk about breathwork. It’s one of my favorite topics. I’m a long time yogi and a yoga teacher, but it’s more than that. I fine the relationship with our breath, our nervous system, our mind and our spirit fascinating. Your relationship with your breath not only enhances your health, but also your relationship with your soul and the interconnection with others.

I’ve read almost every book on breath, science and spiritually based and practice some sort of breathwork daily. If you come to my yoga classes, I’ve probably guided you through different techniques or made you hold your inhale or exhale for what seems like an extreme amount of time. I’d love to tell you why I’ve dedicated much of my time and message to breathwork.

Breathwork drops you out of your head and into your body.

Childhood impressions.

I grew up believing that I would probably have some sort of lung problems as an adult and the one way to guard against it was not smoking.Which is a pretty solid plan. My parents were smokers, as most from their generation are/were. I mean you can’t blame them, they were sold a tale of it being healthy and smoking was everywhere. (A good reminder to trust your intuition and not do something just because someone told you to…) I watched my mom stop and start smoking more times than I could count during my childhood. I would find their Marlboro’s and throw them in the trash can, I’m sure they loved that 😆. My dad had emphysema for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t think that meant much because he still smoked multi times a day. (As an adult I now know that was a pretty big deal and wonder how it would have went if he did change up his lifestyle then.) When we finally quit cigarettes, he took up cigars because, “You don’t inhale a cigar,” and he also had a date that he would start smoking again. I also saw the logic in that. If it’s what you enjoyed I understand not wanting to keep yourself from life’s pleasures and to him it was something he had used to destress as long as he could remember .

My mom quit smoking for good years ago now, my dad never made it to his start date. It’s safe to say that his lungs shutting down on him made it easier for my mom to see into the future and make a lasting change. I loved my dad’s determination, no one could tell him what to do. He taught me so much and I use much of it in my life, I just happen to focus on breath and health.

Now me

I remember the first time I heard that simply breathing deeper can expand your lung capacity. I was in a yoga class, trying to breathe in and out as long as the teacher was counting, and not being successful. I thought there was no way that anyone could inhale for 8 seconds or more. Really, truly, I couldn’t imagine it happening. I’m sure younger me would be floored by my 10 count box breath. It was also in yoga that I realized I was a “backwards breather,” meaning I would pull my stomach in as inhaled and pushed it out as I exhaled. It’s funny we breathe every moment of everyday, but no one really tells us how to do it. What I remember is suck in and hold your breath, for a picture, for a contest or for going into a tunnel, I’m guessing that’s how I decided that must be it.

In my years as a breathwork and yoga teacher I see many people also backwards breathe, so if you’re questioning yourself now, know that you’re not alone! The simple act of being more aware and learning to inhale and exhale my diaphragm (think ribs moving in all directions), shifted how deep breaths made me feel. This is because if you breath up in your chest, which happens when you suck in as you breath in, your sending a message to your body to be on alert, danger could come at any moment. When your breathe into your belly or rib cage you send the message of safety activating your parasympathetic nervous system, giving you more space to feel and think clearly, not just react.

Breathwork Healing

A business retreat was my first experience with holotropic breathwork or what I call breathwork healing. It was the last place I expected to find a modality that I would fall in love with. The facilitator came and told us what we would be doing, a three part breath in and out of the mouth, and my yoga brain said we only breath through our nose, but both the retreat leader and breathwork facilitator seemed really pumped about it, so I did my best to quiet that voice and go with it.

After a torturous first five minutes of getting the rhythm, feeling into all of the resistance, in the shape of thoughts, locking of my hands and more, I suddenly felt more in my body than I had in years. I felt a weight on my chest and I knew it was the grief that I was still processing from my dad’s death, it was also anger at him for the choices he made and other emotions that I didn’t know where they were coming from, but they had been there a long time. Then she told us to yell. It was like someone pulled that weight from my chest and open flood gates. I cried, but didn’t really know why. I felt connected to others in the room and myself in a different way than I’d experienced before, and then suddenly, it was over.

As we slowly got up and came back to reality there was a very strong push that told me, you need to do this, go ask her how to learn. I now know that you’re intuition is very open after breathwork and this was a push from my guides. So I asked, got information and signed up for the next training as soon as I got home. It all came together so easily. I found out later that the trainings I sign up for usually had a wait list and sell out as soon as they come out. It was definitely divine guidance that allowed me to get there without any obstacles.

Into practice

Experiencing this style of breathwork made me interested in exploring other types. I dove into practice, learning more ancient yogic breath and also devolving breath practices of my own. Breath is a large part of my practices as an energy healer and coach. I’ve seen how the relationship with breath can empower you. It can calm your nervous system, wake you up even more than a cup of coffee (and I love my coffee), and help you to release stored emotions. It aides in processing trauma, provided clarity and connects you with you intuition. Certain practices help you to move beyond your body and your ego to get you in touch with your true self and spirit. This can have a profound effect on how you show up for yourself and in the world.

Ready to start your own practice?

Below you’ll find a video of a simple practice that you can do on your own. If you want more guidance check out my calendar for a one on one appointment or join me at Vibe Yoga for a monthly group breathwork circle.

Remember the first step is simply to be aware of your breath. Notice how you’re breathing when you’re relaxed, nervous, angry or excited. See if you can breath deeper to change how you feel. Let your breath empower your life.

Lunar Breath Practice

Thanks for being you and bringing your uniqueness into the world.

Hugs,

Kristin

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