Integrative Breathwork
Why is it hard to breathe when I am upset?
Emotions are energy in motion. They are energy we can feel on the inside when they arise and release. If you've ever watched an infant you can clearly see the rise and fall of emotions as their little bodies express exactly what they are feeling through movement, breath and sound. Pain is expressed as seamlessly as delight. They have no filters to disguise or suppress their natural state of mind. As we grow, we become socialized; we learn to hide our emotions and our
breathing rhythm reflects that suppression. The upset feeling does not have a chance to fully process through and our breath becomes erratic as we attempt to keep the emotion "under control."
How are my emotions and breath related?
Breath is prana or life force
energy. Emotions are energy in motion. The rhythm of our breathing reflects our emotional state. The way we breathe can also influence our emotional state. Reflect on a time when you were stressed. Your breathing was probably jagged and shallow. We cannot be stressed and breathing deeply simultaneously. It's one or the other. Reflect on a time you felt calm and relaxed. Your breathing was probably smooth and deep. The good news is we can use our breath to bring ourselves down from anxiety and up
from low energy.
What happens when I let myself feel more?
Your breathing changes. In an attempt to control pain, whether the origin is emotional or physical, we breathe less efficiently. When you allow yourself to feel the pain, or the pleasure, your breathing will
shift all by itself. It gradually becomes more efficient. You will feel more. When you feel, you heal. Experiencing any emotion, uncomfortable or pleasant does not mean you're out of control. It means you are human and you get to feel a wider range.
How does breathing faster and more continuously expand my capacity to receive inner
guidance?
Our default mode network (the DMN) runs the show almost all the time. Integrative Breathwork activates the capacity to nudge the DMN out of the way and produces an expanded, intuitive awareness, where you can hear your wise inner guidance. And, there's
more...It also integrates new insights into old stories, placing you on a higher vantage point from which to see and hear from a broad perspective.
Our next online Integrative Breathwork session is on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 3 to 5 pm Eastern Time.
