what

Breath is the foundation of life. It affects every aspect and level of being, from the physical to the mental, emotional and spiritual. The state or pattern of your breathing reflects the state or pattern of your self and your life.

How we breathe is a complex and immediate reflection of our current state of being, and all of our past lived history. The unique constellation of attributes that makes up your breath—including its depth, volume, rate, biomechanics and biochemistry—is what I call your breath pattern. We each have certain habitual ways that we breathe, to which our bodies and minds have become accustomed over a lifetime. Major life events like traumas, accidents, illnesses and big stresses create immediate yet long-lasting shifts in our breath patterns; but our pattern is also a buildup of accumulated micro-habits that we have continuously been enacting in response to our lives.

The important thing to know is that your breath pattern may or may not always serve your needs. We can get stuck in unhealthy, inefficient or constricted breath patterns that enhance anxiety, fog the mind, reduce fitness and even impede deep sleep, metabolism and digestion. On the other hand, by shifting the way we breathe, we can access clarity of mind, increase focus and attention, boost vital energy, and improve fitness, sleep and digestive health. Breath is the key to unlock gains in many different areas of life, simply because it is so basic and ever-present.

The process of changing the way you breathe is what I call breath repatterning. It involves firstly a careful attentiveness to your present pattern and how it manifests in yourself holistically. How is the way you’re breathing right now affecting the whole of you? And therefore, what needs to change? Then we learn to soften and relax out of that pattern, so that I can introduce you to a different possibility—a new way of breathing. And then, with time and practice, we return over and over again to the new pattern until it becomes established in your nervous system as your new normal.

why

By bringing awareness, understanding and transformation to your breath, you can:

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Did you know?

• “Take a deep breath” is not good advice as it tends to encourage people to take in great big gulps of air, also known as hyper-ventilation. Taking in too much air too quickly can lead to dizziness or light-headedness and actually reduces the available oxygen in the brain and tissues. Instead of thinking of depth as the volume of air inhaled, think of it as where in the body you are sending the air (hint: it’s the diaphragm and the lower lungs). So, “breathe from your diaphragm” would be better advice.
• In breathing, less is more: the healthiest and fittest people (athletes, for example), as well as all the ancient breathing traditions (qi gong, yoga etc.), encourage light, soft and minimal breathing that is hardly noticeable to the eye or ear. It’s all about efficiency, or the proper regulation of energy, which is what the word pranayama means.
• Where you breathe from (nose or mouth) is one of the most important parts of your breath pattern. The nose is designed for breathing, the mouth is designed for eating. Mouth breathing is associated with pretty much every dysfunctional breathing pattern you can think of: shallow, quick, upper-chest…
• How you breathe when you’re awake influences how you breathe during sleep. Dysfunctional breathing during sleep subsequently influences your energy levels, focus, and general well-being when you’re awake. It’s a cycle, one that can be destructive or productive according to how you work with it.

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Who

Breathwork sessions are for:

• those looking to improve their health, well-being and physical performance through functional breathing
• those looking to deepen internal practices of mindfulness, sensory awareness, somatic exploration and meditation
• those who want to receive a personalised approach to pranayama and yogic breathing practices

It is suitable for everyone who breathes. If you have a physical or medical condition, you can still practice breathwork safely (under guidance from a professional)—and you’ll probably see the most gains from your practice.

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How does it work?

1-1 sessions

The first session will be an intake, with an evaluation of your current state and what your goals and needs are. I will then recommend how many sessions you need, and the frequency. Each session is usually 45mins-1hr, with additional materials provided for you to study and practice on your own afterwards. Self-practice is a crucial part of a successful breathwork coaching experience, as the more you practice the more healthy breath patterns will get imprinted in your system. There will also be regular check-ins to monitor progress as you go along. Sessions can be done live in-person or online.

group classes and workshops

I’m available for group and corporate bookings—just get in touch. In group settings, I usually provide more of an overview of healthy breath patterns, alongside practices to get you to feel where you are at in relation to a healthy pattern. Working in a group can be very helpful to learn about different patterns as they are expressed in other people, and to experience the power of breathwork in community.

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Learn more

To find out more or book a session, fill in the form below and I’ll get back to you. You can also continue to explore the magic of breathing using the recommended resources under the form.

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Further Resources

Here a few quick practices I recorded for you to try out:

Diaphragmatic Breathing (12 mins):

Ocean Breathing (10 mins):

and a guided meditation:

Breath of the Heart

contemplate how breath connects us to the world and to ourselves. learn to self-soothe and experience the support and healing compassion of your breath.