With our Breathwork course with Olympian Adam Burgess starting this week, let’s talk about Breathwork.
What is breath work?
Breathwork, a practice that involves intentional manipulation and awareness of one’s breathing patterns, holds immense significance in both ancient traditions and modern therapeutic techniques. Here are some of the reasons why breath work is important:
- Physical Health:
- Oxygenation: Proper breathing helps with the oxygenation of blood, ensuring that body cells get the oxygen they need for cellular metabolism.
- Detoxification: Exhaling helps rid the body of carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism.
- Heart Rate Regulation: Deep breathing can help slow down the heart rate, especially in stressful situations.
- Mental Health and Well-being:
- Stress Reduction: Deep, controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help counteract the stress response in the body.
- Improved Focus and Clarity: Many people report increased mental clarity and focus after practicing breath work.
- Emotional Release: Breathwork can facilitate emotional release, helping individual’s process and release suppressed or unrecognised emotions.
- Spiritual and Transcendent Experiences:
- Ancient traditions such as yoga and certain indigenous practices have used breath work as a means to reach altered states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.
- Many people who engage in deep or rapid breath work techniques report having profound insights, visions, and feelings of connection to a larger reality.
- Improved Athletic Performance:
- Breath control is vital in various sports. Athletes often focus on their breathing patterns to enhance stamina, control, and efficiency.
- Therapeutic Uses:
- Breathwork can be used in psychotherapy and trauma therapy. Techniques like Holotropic Breathwork, pioneered by Dr. Stanislav Grof, have been used to address past traumas, psychological issues, and promote personal growth.
- Mindfulness and Meditation:
- Breath is a common anchor in many mindfulness and meditation practices. Paying attention to one’s breathing can ground an individual in the present moment, fostering increased awareness and presence.
- Improved Sleep:
- Relaxation techniques involving deep breathing can promote better sleep and help individuals with insomnia.
- Enhanced Creativity:
- Some artists, writers, and musicians use breath work to tap into deeper states of consciousness and creativity.
- Improved Posture:
- Proper breathing encourages better posture. Conversely, good posture promotes more efficient lung function.
- Training in Breath Awareness:
- Regular breath work practice fosters an increased awareness of one’s unconscious breathing patterns, which can be beneficial in times of stress or physical exertion.
While breath work has numerous benefits, it’s essential to approach it with caution and, if possible, under guidance, especially if you’re exploring deeper or more intense techniques. Some methods can be too intense for some individuals and can bring up unexpected emotions or physical reactions.
Sign up for a place on our 5 Breath work Course – last few spots remaining – go to the FIT app. Download the App to book.
We have just opened up single week places as well as full 5 session spots.
You can use the links below to book a place on our website also.
This course is at cost price to our members, we do not mark these up (£20 per person per session) – last few spots.
Not yet a member? Sign up using the button below.
