What is Breath?

What is Breath, this powerful yet subtle force that moves through each of us?

It may seem like a simple question, but within this question resides the mysteries of Life, of Creation and of each of our individual journeys. Within the Breath, we find fractals of esoteric knowledge and wisdom that extend throughout and beyond time and space, weaving into every experience you’ve ever had and will ever have.

Our ancestors knew of the power of Breath. They saw it for what it is: a direct line of connection to Spirit. This was reflected in many ancient languages, with the word for “Breath” being synonymous with the word for “Spirit”. 

In Ancient Greece, the word “Pnuema” means both “Breath” and “Spirit”.

In Ancient Sanskrit, the word “Prana” means “Breath”, “Spirit” and “Life”. 

In Hebrew, the word “Ru’ach” means “Breath” and “Spirit”.

In Latin, the word “Spiritus” means “Spirit” and “Breath”, of which respire (to breathe) is derived.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been practiced for over 5,000 years, the word “Qi” or “Chi” refers to both “Breath” and “Life Force Energy”.

The list goes on and on.

The ancients, living much more in harmony with Mother Nature and the Great Mystery, understood that Breath was the bridge to Spirit. Living in direct connection with nature and the elements, life and death were much more acknowledged and accepted in ancient societies and tribes than they are in our modern world, where death is often treated as something to fear or is altogether ignored. To the ancients and the modern-day indigenous still living in the ancient ways, death (and life) are seen an integral part of the the Great Web of Life, of which the Breath grants us access to in profound ways that bring about great healing, realization and growth.

The ancient world understood that the Breath offers a passage or a portal into the world of Spirit. Around the world, advanced spiritual technologies were developed by the ancients which often centered around the Breath. Through their explorations of consciousness, they learned that different breathing patterns or techniques would lead to altered states of consciousness. These altered states, depending on the specific breathing technique used, could range from eliciting states of deep relaxation to highly energized, shifting their nervous system state and brain’s processing power. Using certain breathing techniques, one could begin to perceive knowledge and wisdom beyond what the ‘ordinary consciousness’ is able to perceive. If one went deep into certain breathing practices, they could even invoke visions, messages and ecstatic experiences from the Spirit world. 

Examples of the wide range of breathing practices that were developed for spiritual pursuits can be found around the world, with yogic pranayama probably being the most widely known in the present day. However, if you were to look, you’d find breathing practices were present in cultures around the world.

The Breath was also seen as the connecting force between all things. The Breath you are breathing in right now, at one point in time, was present in a camel, a horse, a whale, a snake, your ancestors, as well as the trees, the plants, the grasses and all biological life that has existed on this planet. Throughout the eons, this eternal Breath was carried by the winds, traveling across vast landscapes, across oceans, to the peaks of mountains and the depths of canyons, all to be here right now entering your lungs and giving you life.

As the connecting force between all things, the Breath now becomes a powerful and much-needed tool for helping us to remember the innate healing power within ourselves, our innate connection with the Web of Life and our innate Divinity.

How Breathwork Works On The Body

How does Breathwork work on the body? And why would anyone want to do Breathwork?

In short, Breathwork contains a vast array of benefits on the physiological, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels of Being.

On the physical level, Breathwork allows you to regulate the nervous system, bringing you out of chronic states of stress and resulting in improved immune function, sleep quality, detoxification, digestion and so much more. Through conscious-connected breathwork, the technique used in Breathwork Ceremonies, you oxygenate your body, alkalize your blood, harmonize brain hemispheres, bring the heart into a state of coherence and activate the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for rest, relaxation and regeneration. The cumulative effects of this awaken your Inner Healer, allowing for your body to do its miraculous self-healing work.

In addition to the physical benefits, Breathwork allows you to access repressed emotions that may be living in your body, beneath the surface of your conscious awareness. Emotions can be thought of as energy in motion and when emotions are not able to be freely expressed, the energy within the emotions get stored in the body, muscles, organs, tissues and fascia, creating stagnation and stress that keeps one stuck in chronic states of stress and fight-or-flight. Through creating safe containers to freely express the full range of your emotions, you are able to effectively clear these channels, reclaim your emotional health and return to the flow of life.

Going even deeper, Breathwork allows you direct access to our subconscious. Neuroscience now shows that upwards of 95% of our waking reality is actually controlled by your subconscious programming, meaning that your thoughts, behaviors, and decisions are mostly the result of underlying dynamics of which you usually have little to no control over. In addition, the vast majority of these programs are self-limiting and self-deprecating, often based in lack, scarcity, struggle, and competition, keeping you stuck in perpetual cycles that are not serving of the life you truly desire to live.

In Breathwork Ceremonies, you are able to gain direct access to these subconscious programs, granting you the opportunity to clear old stories and rewrite these programs in ways that serve you in creating the life you desire. You are able to clear these imprints from your subconscious, which can be thought of as your standard operation program, installing new beliefs and patterns that rewrire the neurology of your brain, your nervous system and your body’s connective communication channels. Breathwork is one of the few modalities, other than plant medicines such as Ayahuasca, Huachuma and psilocybin mushrooms, that grants you access to the subconscious realms. The benefit is that, with Ceremonial Breathwork, you can be anywhere in the world and have access to the medicine that is always present within you: the Breath!

On the Spiritual levels, many describe in their experiences in Breathwork Ceremonies that they were able to meet God, Goddess, deities, ancestors, animal and plant spirits, and more. These experiences profoundly change their understanding of the interconnectedness of life, awakening their direct experience of their Soul and greatly increasing their Intuition. I have seen hundreds of people begin to live a life that feels truly aligned with their values, desires and purpose after making this sacred connection with their Soul.

Greater levels of embodiment, presence, and personal happiness. Increased levels of compassion, empathy, resiliency, and emotional intimacy. Deeper connection with your true Self and with the Divine Power living within you. These are just some of the benefits that Ceremonial Breathwork is able to awaken within you.

Your dreams are not only possible. They are your birthright!

What Does A Breathwork Ceremony Look Like?

The Breathwork Ceremony containers are established in such a way as to honor the depth and magnitude of what is encountered in these sacred spaces, providing you a safe container to explore the wide range of what could arise in your experience.

If it is your first time, we begin with a brief introduction of the technique and an explanation of some of what you may experience during the journey. After that, we have a discussion of Intentions, followed by a guided meditation to set your intentions for the ceremony. We then begin the Breathwork Cereomony. This portion of the Breathwork journey typically lasts for around one hour, followed by an extended rest and savasana period (30 minutes or more) to allow the energy to ground and settle. This allows for a gentle return to the world, giving you the opportunity to bask in the benefits of Ceremonial Breathwork and integrate any wisdom or insights that came during the journey. We then leave space for journaling and open up a sharing circle, allowing you to share any key highlights or insights from your journey and for you to receive any guidance on integrating your experience. Overall, the entire experience typically lasts 2 to 3 hours.

If you are new to Breathwork, know that it may take a few journeys before you are able to somatically unwind the nervous system and experience the deeper levels of your being. Trauma and wounding can be delicate to unwind and we don’t want to rush this process. However, with consistency and devotion, these layers can be healed and the deeper unfolding of your Soul Path can be experienced. Because of this, I encourage clients to start with 3 sessions in order to receive the most benefits from the experience. However, single sessions are also available.

If you would like to discuss which Ceremonial Breathwork option is best for you, schedule your FREE 15-minute Connection Call today.