Aura
Breath
Breathwork
Each one of us feels compelled to share a story about our lives and our breath pattern reflects those life experiences. In reality, we are all unique in the way we breathe because our life experiences, from birth to old age, is different. Breathing is the only system in the body that is both completely automatic and also under our control, so learning how to breathe effectively can become an easy and fast way to regulate the body and mind.
Did you know the brain holds a crucial role in breathing patterns? For example, if a stress reaction exists in the body and then becomes habitual, the body and your breathing pattern, sends signals to the brain that the stress is still present, even if the stress event had ended. Thoughts, emotions and behaviours are stimulated as the brain becomes hyper-vigilant for potential stressors, flooding the body with stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, oftentimes leading to anxiety and chronic systemic inflammation.
In 2017, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology reported participants completing 20 breathwork sessions over eight weeks, experienced relaxation and significantly reduced their levels of the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, compared to those who did no breathing sessions.
Consider the statistics: most adults only use 33% of their total respiratory capacity and the lungs lose 12% of capacity from the age of 30 to 50 years, with women fairing far worse than men. We’re forced to breathe harder and faster, a breathing habit that has been scientifically proven to lead to chronic health problems including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and fatigue.
Breath work can:
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Alleviate and resolve: sleeplessness, chronic pain, and respiratory dysfunctions including asthma
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Boost and detox: immunity, energy, circulation and lymphatic drainage
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Expand: serenity, human and spiritual connection, creativity, mental clarity and intuition
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Dissolve and integrate: fears and anxiety, stress, depression and trauma
“Observe reality as it is. As it is. Not as you wish it to be. Perhaps your breath is deep. Perhaps it is shallow. It makes no difference…observe reality as it is”
- S.N. Goenka, 1976