There have been so many times when the concept of safety has come up in healing spaces, whether it's in ceremony, in a drop-in yoga session or any other embodied modality experience. The word is used and I often get stumped when I hear it - like, what do you mean? What does it mean that this place is 'safe'? Safe for who and 'safe' for what?

When you are in a moment of stress of social anxiety and you cannot take a step back, this is a breath pattern that you can use to ground and come back to yourself. (I use this in MOST social situations).

Part of a healthy and well-functioning breathing system is the ability and adaptability that the system has. Much of our health has been been measured on heart rate and blood pressure.

The third pillar of breathwork, the one I have utilised the most in my deeper healing processes is breathwork journeys. Breathwork journeying is the practice and the use of one breathwork pattern called the conscious connected breath. In these journeys, we breathe this pattern consistently and continuously for 30 - 60 minutes. Through the activation of the breath, we are inviting the body into a different state of consciousness…

Breathwork, at its core, is the conscious and intentional practice of connecting with our breath. It is a simple yet profound act of directing our attention to the flow of air in and out of our bodies. This ancient practice, rooted in various spiritual traditions, serves as a gateway to self-awareness, inner harmony, and personal transformation.

The breath, often underestimated, holds a remarkable power to influence our physical, mental, and emotional states. When we engage in conscious breathing exercises, we tap into this power, creating a bridge between the conscious and subconscious parts of our being. By regulating our breath, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a relaxation response that counters the effects of stress and anxiety.

Did you know that mouth breathing and over breathing also contributes to many sleep-disordered breathing symptoms.

Conscious Connected Breathing is a breathing technique in which the breather intentionally connects the inhale with the exhale without any pauses. Many techniques have evolved from Rebirthing –

Our lifestyle has a significant effect on the way we breathe. While modern living has many benefits, it is also responsible for the negative influences of processed foods, over-eating, poor exercise habits, stress, and higher temperatures in the home.

Breathing is the most intimate relationship we can cultivate with the environment around us. It is a universal unifier of all that lives on earth. Everything breathes. We are not alone and we are not unaffected by those we live with.