Breathwork
Conscious Connected Breathwork has roots in South Asian medicine and is derived from the pranayama breath. It is a conscious, connected breath meditation where we actively breathe to increase the oxygen in our nervous system to help move overwhelming, stagnant or suppressed emotions and energy that may be held in our bodies.
Biological Effects
As a body-based healer, I love geeking out about the nervous system impact of breathwork! When we intentionally over-oxygenate the body, we will activate our sympathetic nervous system. Seems strange to increase energy in order to relax and heal, right? It can feel counter-intuitive, however I think of it like using defibrillators to shock the system so we can become more regulated, dropping back into our parasympathetic system where we can find more peace and relaxation. Through this process, it can feel common to experience tingling in the body, muscle tension & release, and waves of emotions moving through.
Spiritual Effects
As a spiritual seeker, I am always blown away by the magical gifts that I continue to receive and witness through this work. The breath has been used for centuries to open doors to higher levels of consciousness. It can be a place that reveals our shadow and the places we may need to surrender, and it can also connect us to our higher selves. At the height of the session when we are invited to let out a big, primal scream, people often describe floating into another dimension and finding deep clarity. It can be common to feel connected to the spirit realm through this work, and to have our heart open deeper to love and compassion for ourselves and others.
Willing yourself to breathe heavily for short intense time can be profoundly therapeutic... It's only through disruption that we can be normal again. That's what techniques like vigorous pranayamas do. They stress the body on purpose, snapping it out of it's funk so that it can properly function for the other 23 1/2 hours of day. Conscious breathing teaches us to be the pilots of our bodies, not the passengers.
James Nestor
What to expect in a breathwork session
Items to bring along:
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An eye mask/ pillow
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Blankets & Pillows
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stones & crystals for grounding
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headphones (for virtual sessions)
Conscious connected breathing involves a 3-part breath:
first inhaling deep into the belly, inhaling again into the chest, and then exhaling.
After settling comfortably on your back you will be guided in a brief meditation, and then we begin the active breathing. The breath will loop for 20- 45 minutes, starting slow and then building energy as it feels safe in the body. As the music, breath and energy increase, we let out a big collective primal scream. This can bring a deep nervous system shift. Sometimes people shake and tremble (which is a beautiful sign that your body is releasing), sometimes tears flow, sometimes stillness envelopes, sometimes gratitude cracks us wide open, sometimes people laugh with joy and sometimes people travel into another dimension entering non-ordinary states of consciousness… anything goes. Trust that your body will know exactly what it needs to heal. After we scream, we drop the active breath and let our bodies rest and integrate the work for about 20 minutes while gentle music plays.
After a session our hearts can be energetically open, so I recommend tending gently and lovingly to yourself. You may find it helpful to energetically clear your space afterwards, burning incense, sage or an herb or plant your ancestors have been connected to. I love taking an energy clearing bath after breathwork: 2c epsom salt, 2c apple cider vinegar, 1c baking soda. It can also be a beautiful time to drop into your heart and journal.