Please note: My services are available for Australian residents only. I am not currently taking on any new clients
Breathwork and Breath Re-education
Learn how to breathe optimally and how to use your breath to consciously communicate with your nervous system, promoting healing and calmer daily living. Suited to any individual, including those experiencing chronic pain. Primarily utilises the Buteyko Method.
We've forgotten how to breathe, to our detriment
We enter the world with the ability to unconsciously take full proper breaths, but as we age we often forget how to breathe properly. Breathing becomes disordered as a result of our modern livifestyle. Factors such as strong emotions, time urgency, excessive stimulation, tension, stress, anxiety, overeating, processed foods, a belief that taking big breaths is good, lack of exercise, poor indoor ventilation and excessive talking all contribute to over-breathing.
Breathing is an overlooked source of wellness, which has been largely neglected by the western medical model. Breathing directly and indirectly influences the functioning of many body systems, including the nervous system. Poor breathing patterns literally cause the airways to narrow, and blood circulation and oxygen delivery to be reduced. Poor breathing has been linked to numerous conditions, including chronic pain, nervous system issues, mental health issues, digestive issues, circulation issues, cardiovascular events, diabetes, panic disorder, asthma and more.
By changing the way you breathe you can"change your life"
Proper breathing optimises your health and wellbeing and enhances the flexibility of your nervous system. Scientific studies have shown that regulation of your breathing, including slow breathing techniques, can produce increased vagal tone, heart rate variability (HRV), blood flow to the brain, comfort, relaxation, pleasantness, vigor, athletic performance and alertness, and reduced symptoms of arousal, anxiety, depression, anger, pain, insomnia, and confusion. Correct breathing is also foundational to healthy core strength and posture.
Breathing re-education can result in a noticeable impact to your wellbeing in a short period of time (a matter of weeks).
Consciously regulate your nervous system
Breathe your way out of stress
Imagine being able to deliberately calm yourself down when you're feeling stressed, or being able to 'amp yourself up' before a major sporting event or presentation. With conscious control of your breath you can! In fact, you have the capacity to influence nearly every element of your physical and mental state through conscious controlled breathing.
Slowing the breathing rhythm triggers an overall relaxed state known as "rest and digest". Conversely, a rapid breathing rhythm elicits an aroused state known as "fight or flight". When we work together, you can learn breathing techniques to deliberately modify your stress levels and eventually switch between these states.
Our work together can help you break out of the over-breathing stress loop you may have been stuck in for years!
Breathing fundamentals
Breathe deep, breathe low, breathe slow
I work with three fundamental influences on breathing:
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Biochemical - the exchange and metabolism of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by addressing blood sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2).
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Biomechanical – the physical aspects of breathing by focusing on the functioning of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm (the major breathing muscle, located below the lungs) and utilisation of the nose.
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Psychological – the mental and emotional aspects, which may manifest as stress caused by poor breathing or poor breathing caused by stress, by bringing the respiratory rate closer to the optimal 4.5 to 6.5 breaths per minute in order to influence the autonomic functioning of the body.
Treatment with me can involve:
When you work with me, you'll receive education on optimal breathing. Our work together will vary depending on your goals. You will receive exercises inspired by the Buteyko Method that involve decongesting the nose, switching to nasal breathing, along with exercises to restore functional breathing patterns. Most exercises are simple and taught to all adults regardless of age or health and all children over five years of age.
In order to experience the full benefits of breathing re-education you will be given a program of exercises to do with me in session and at home. Results will vary greatly depending on your commitment to the exercises.
When we've worked together for some time, you may choose to engage in conscious hyperventilation practices, using my SPIRIT breathwork training. These exercises introduce hormetic stress to your nervous system - activating the body's stress response for the purpose of good health. I recommend this style of practice only for adults in relatively good health.
Health benefits of better breathing:
Breathe your way out of stress
Imagine being able to deliberately calm yourself down when you're feeling stressed, or being able to 'amp yourself up' before a major sporting event. With conscious control of your breath you can! In fact, you have the capacity to influence nearly every element of your physical and mental state through conscious controlled breathing.
Slowing the breathing rhythm triggers an overall relaxed state known as "rest and digest". Conversely, a rapid breathing rhythm elicits an aroused state known as "fight or flight". When we work together, you can learn breathing techniques to deliberately modify your stress levels and eventually switch between these states.
Our work together can help you break out of the over-breathing stress loop you may have been stuck in for years!
Can help reduce the symptoms of:
Breathe deep, breathe low, breathe slow
I work with three fundamental influences on breathing:
-
Biochemical - the exchange and metabolism of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by addressing blood sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2).
-
Biomechanical – the physical aspects of breathing by focusing on the functioning of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm (the major breathing muscle, located below the lungs) and utilisation of the nose.
-
Psychological – the mental and emotional aspects, which may manifest as stress caused by poor breathing or poor breathing caused by stress, by reducing the respiratory rate to between 5.5 and 6.5 breaths per minute in order to influence the autonomic functioning of the body.
Can help reduce the symptoms of:
SPIRIT breathwork
For those who want to 'go deeper' with the breath.
Reprocess trauma and access your internal wisdom through a SPIRIT conscious connected breathwork session. Conscious connected breathing causes shifts in physiology and allows breathers to explore altered states of consciousness which support the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of being. Through rapid breathing, an imbalance between inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide (CO2) is introduced into the body. This causes the activity in the prefrontal cortex to slow, allowing you to move beyond the 'monkey mind' and into a deeper state of awareness. This deeper, clearer, quieter mental state is one of the most powerful aspects of a SPIRIT Breathwork journey.
SPIRIT Breathwork can also bring powerful somatic releases, assisting you to release emotional wounding that you may have been carrying for years. During a session, you might experience symptoms like tingling in your hands, feet, and face, tetany (or muscles cramps), dizziness, and emotional release. These are all normal reactions. However, SPIRIT sessions can be quite intense and are only recommended for those who have a moderate level of comfort with felt sensations in the body. At any point in a SPIRIT session you can choose to slow your breathing and regain balance and control, you're always in charge of the pace. I recommend this style of practice only for adults in relatively good health.
A SPIRIT breathwork session lasts approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours and includes intention-setting, breathwork, and decompression.
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