Understanding the Essence of Breathwork

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. 

The planets breathes, the water and skies, every animal, plant and stone. We breathe just as the planet does and when we remember that, we remember that we are all related, connected, interwoven together and that, in every essence, we all belong. 

Breathwork in its essence is a decolonial practice- when we practice a conscious breath, we activate and participate in what is means to be breath and be breathless. We locate our bodies is memory, in social context of what it means to breathe. We are reclaiming that breath, revolting against the ways in which society has tried to take it away and here we are, together, still here, alive and breathing. 

Breathing serves as our intimate connection with the world around us, a universal bond shared by all living beings on Earth. From the planets to every creature and element, breath unifies us in a sacred dance of existence. In embracing breathwork, we engage in a decolonial practice, reclaiming our inherent right to breathe freely amidst societal pressures. With each conscious breath, we navigate our bodies through memory and social context, asserting our presence and resilience against systemic oppression.

Breathing is the only system in the body that is both automatic and under our control. This is not a coincidence, it is an invitation. An invitation to take part in our own evolution.

Breathwork, in essence is the use of breath awareness and conscious breathing for healing, growth, personal awakening and transformation. 

Breathwork transcends mere respiration, evolving into a profound tool for healing, personal growth, and transformation. As an integral aspect of alternative medicine, breathwork empowers individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and awakening. Rooted in the principles of acceptance, sensation, release, and empowerment, breathwork offers a pathway to reclaiming agency over our well-being. Breathwork becomes a self-help, self-healing method in alternative medicine. 

The main messages in breathwork are - accept, feel, let go and take charge.

Breathwork has evolved over time and in what we call the Breathwork industry now, we can call breathwork, breath therapy for there are multiple ways to engage with the breathing mechanism. It is understood that the breathing system in most people is not functioning properly and when we learn to breathe full and free, it anatomically becomes a therapeutic tool. 

There are five key principles to breathwork: 

• Technique or Pattern 

• Environment

• Teacher and Presence 

• Mind and Intention 

• Spirit: timing, grace and readiness of the breather 

And there are three main pillars of how breathwork can be used: 

• Breath Hygiene - this relates to the use of breathing pattern to tap in functional breathing patterns and using the breath to alter physical states. Often used as a first aid kit of daily practice, these patterns help aid healthy mental, physical and spiritual hygiene. 

• Building Lung Capacity - this relates to using breathwork pattern to build lung volume capacity, often related to optimising performance, resilience and stamina. Many of these patterns can also involve other sensory challenges like cold or heat exposure. 

• Deep Explorations - this relates to the states of consciousness that can be attained through a sustained connected breath. This helps us tap into our deep subconscious and the ways in which our body has stored memories, stress, trauma and pain. This pattern is a portal into our own personal narratives, but also intergenerational, ancestral and collective narratives too.

Within the realm of breathwork, practitioners encounter various techniques and approaches, each guided by key principles and pillars. Techniques encompass breath patterns, environmental factors, the guidance of skilled teachers, and the intentions of the breather. Breathwork's versatility spans from promoting breath hygiene for mental and spiritual wellness to enhancing lung capacity for optimal performance and resilience. Moreover, breathwork facilitates deep explorations into consciousness, unveiling personal, ancestral, and collective narratives stored within the depths of our being.

Embark on a transformative journey through breathwork, where each inhalation and exhalation becomes a sacred act of self-discovery and empowerment. Join us in honoring the profound essence of breath and its capacity to awaken the soul and heal the spirit.