Breathwork is an incredibly powerful modality that offers a wide range of benefits for holistic well-being and transformative personal growth. As a somatic and body-centered practice, it not only enhances physical health but also has the potential to facilitate profound shifts in awareness, leading to deep insights and a greater understanding of oneself.

When combined with counselling therapy, breathwork becomes even more potent, as it synergistically complements the therapeutic process. Engaging in regular breathwork sessions, accompanied by guidance from an experienced therapist, can create lasting and sustainable changes in various aspects of life.

It is important to note that breathwork is not a one-time experience but rather a journey of continuous exploration. By consistently incorporating breathwork into your self-care routine, you open up the opportunity for integration and growth. The ongoing support and guidance from a skilled therapist ensure that any emotions, thoughts, or sensations that arise during breathwork sessions are skilfully addressed and processed, leading to deeper healing and personal transformation.

By embracing breathwork as a regular practice and integrating it with counselling therapy, you have the potential to unlock profound insights, release emotional blockages, and foster a greater sense of empowerment. This powerful combination can provide a solid foundation for your journey towards holistic well-being and long-lasting positive change.

Through facilitating numerous private and group breathwork sessions, upwards of 2000; I have consistently witnessed profound and transformative experiences. Clients have reported a wide range of positive outcomes, including a significant reduction in chronic anxiety symptoms and the transformation of relationships as individuals become more authentic and emotionally available. Personally, I have also experienced profound changes in my own life through breathwork. While these significant shifts are possible, it is important to recognise that breathwork is a versatile tool that can support resiliency, clarity, peace, and an overall increase in conscious awareness.

The roots of breathwork can be traced back to ancient Eastern Yogic traditions that originated over 2,500 years ago. Today, the term encompasses various practices that utilise the breath to impact both the body and consciousness. These practices include yoga pranayama, Wim Hof breathing, SOMA breathing, anxiety-reduction techniques, and dynamic processes that facilitate non-ordinary states of consciousness.

The breathwork accompanied by counselling that I facilitate incorporates connected breathing techniques, which allow individuals to enter states of expanded consciousness and release physical and emotional tension. This process helps dissolve the "armoring" or protective defenses that we hold within our bodies. The ultimate goal is to foster integration and wholeness, shifting away from ignorance and unconsciousness towards wisdom and insight.

Breathwork in conjunction with talk therapy/ counselling sessions offer an alternative approach to conventional models of psychotherapeutic practice, counselling, and therapy. They provide a non-verbal path to healing that goes beyond traditional cognitive therapies. While self-inquiry and verbal discussion can be valuable, breathwork serves as a gateway to deeper inner awareness and healing, accessing parts of ourselves that may not be easily accessible through words alone.

Breathwork, when combined with counselling and therapy, is an active technique that harnesses the power of the breath to bypass the thinking brain and engage the body's intelligence on a deeper level. By supporting the nervous system and increasing blood flow, breathwork boosts oxygen and dopamine levels, allowing you to access a profound wisdom that extends beyond the limitations of the mind. This physiological effect facilitates the processing and release of painful or racing thoughts and suppressed emotions, while also fostering a connection to intuition, authenticity, and paving the way for new possibilities in life. Additionally, breathwork has the potential to open the heart and cultivate a sense of deep compassion.

It is worth noting that my approach to breathwork is not tied to any specific school or method. Instead, I offer an experience that draws upon my training and expertise as a healing practitioner. This includes knowledge of physiology gained through initial Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in Hatha Yoga and specialised training in Pranayama Techniques. Furthermore, I incorporate an energetic and spiritual perspective informed by training in psychosynthesis counselling, Advaita Vedanta, Vipassana, and various other spiritual practices. With over 15 years of personal practice, I bring a wealth of experience to provide a safe and supportive space for deep transformational work, where you are compassionately and skilfully guided through your unique journey. I have extensive experience and have facilitated upwards of 2000+ sessions.

Engaging in breathwork accompanied by counselling is not about achieving specific goals or attempting to get rid of anything. It is not a standalone, one-time experience, nor does it involve following a rigidly constructed process. Instead, it is an invitation to fully immerse ourselves in whatever arises in our experience and develop the capacity to embrace it with conscious presence. Rather than avoiding or distracting ourselves from our inner landscape, we learn to be consciously present throughout the entire spectrum of our experience. By doing so, healing, expansion, and life-altering transformations can naturally unfold.

Central to this process is the cultivation of staying in the present moment, fully embracing reality as it is. Mindfulness becomes an integral part of the journey, allowing us to deepen our self-awareness and explore the vast field of conscious awareness that resides within us. By developing this mindful presence, breathwork and counselling become powerful tools for personal growth, self-discovery, and transformation.

How Do Breathwork Exercises Work?

At a physiological level, it is important to recognise that our breath is intricately linked to our life experiences, often operating unconsciously. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) constantly processes information from both our internal body and the external environment, influencing our breathing patterns. When confronted with stressful and overwhelming situations, we tend to hold and restrict our breath. Conversely, in moments of safety and relaxation, our breath becomes smooth and free-flowing. Unfortunately, the cumulative effects of a lifetime of stress, trauma, dissociation in response to overwhelm, as well as postural and speech habits, have led many adults to develop compromised breathing patterns that hinder both physical and mental well-being.

Breathwork provides a unique opportunity to restore the natural rhythm of the breath and unravel unproductive repetitive patterns. By engaging in conscious and intentional breathwork practices, we can gradually release the accumulated tension and restore balance to our breathing patterns. This process allows for the reintegration of healthy and efficient breathing, which positively impacts both the body and mind.

Through breathwork, we can address the underlying causes of compromised breathing patterns and promote a return to a more harmonious state of well-being. By consciously working with the breath, we have the capacity to unravel the layers of stress, trauma, and habitual patterns that have accumulated over time. Restoring the natural breath supports the body's self-regulation mechanisms, enhances vitality, and promotes a sense of calm and clarity in the mind.

Breathwork serves as a powerful tool for self-healing and transformation, enabling us to reconnect with the innate wisdom of our bodies and restore the balance and flow of life energy. By engaging in breathwork practices, we can reclaim the natural and unrestricted breath that is essential for our overall health and well-being.

What Happens During a Breathwork Session?

During a breathwork session, you will be guided through the practice of "conscious connected breathing." This technique involves a breathing pattern that is similar to normal breathing but differs from automatic breathing in a relaxed state. In breathwork, the inhalation is more active and deeper, focused solely through the nostrils. Additionally, there is an emphasis on maintaining a continuous flow of breath without any pauses between the inhalation, exhalation, and subsequent inhalation.

The exhalation phase of conscious connected breathing is a process of letting go, releasing tension, relaxing the muscles, and allowing any tightness or contraction held in the body to dissolve.

As you engage in breathwork, you are encouraged to adopt an accepting attitude toward whatever arises during the practice. It is important not to get caught up or attached to any interpretations or judgments regarding your experiences. Instead, the aim is to remain present and non-reactive, fostering an increased ease with whatever emerges within your life experience. Through this process, you learn that it is safe to fully feel and experience your emotions.

During a breathwork session, it is common to come into contact with unresolved discomfort or tension in the body, which may manifest as sensations such as tingling or vibrating, as well as heightened emotional states. These experiences provide an opportunity for integration and healing. You may also encounter psychological experiences such as fear, anger, or grief. As the breathwork session progresses, the breathing disturbances can shift and resolve, facilitating the integration of past distressing events.

Breathwork allows you to step back from emotional reactions and access the wisdom of your body-mind, enabling the establishment of new patterns and responses in your life. It cultivates a sense of personal empowerment, freedom of expression, and a connection to your authentic self.

Breathwork is a valuable tool for virtually anyone. In cultures that prioritise the mind and intellectual processing, breathwork provides a means to address the emotions and energetic imprints that are stored in the body. Stagnant or stuck energy can manifest as limiting beliefs, chronic physical discomfort, emotional instability, and relationship problems, among other challenges.

Engaging in breathwork creates a context for exploring and gaining insight into our inner-world. It offers a space for self-inquiry beyond societal conditioning and opens the path to self-discovery. Through simple methods such as breath, sensation observation, movement, and relationship, breathwork initiates a process of inner exploration that can lead to liberation and inner peace.

Undertaking breathwork in conjunction with a talk therapist is helpful. Working with a therapist, means it is a safe and transformative process, that encourages the experience, expression, and release of emotions, and so that you have the courage to confront whatever might come up . By utilising the breath as a facilitator of change, breathwork provides a powerful avenue for long-lasting transformation.

If you are seeking an expedited healing process, incorporating breathwork, self-observation, and mindfulness in counselling sessions may offer a new and effective approach. Adding breathwork makes a profound difference in how people experience themselves and, as a consequence they are more able to regulate their emotions. They experience emotions, without being overwhelmed be them, and develop a striking increase in self-compassion not only for themselves, but often for others.

To ensure accessibility I offer both in-person and online counselling and breathwork sessions.

What Can I Expect After A Breathwork Session?

The effects and experiences following a breathwork session can vary for each individual, as everyone's journey is unique. Some common experiences include feeling energized, exhilarated, or emotionally sensitive due to deep emotional releases. To support your post-session integration and self-care, consider the following tips:

1. Allow time for integration: It is advisable not to schedule any major commitments immediately after the session. Give yourself space to integrate the experience and avoid the need to switch gears abruptly.

2. Hydrate and replenish: Drink plenty of water and consider including electrolytes to support hydration and replenishment.

3. Grounding nutrition: Eat grounding, protein-rich foods that nourish your body and provide stability.

4. Epsom salt bath: Take a relaxing bath with Epsom salts to support the detoxification process and enhance the absorption of magnesium from the salts.

5. Connect with nature: Spend time in nature, whether it's taking a walk in a park or sitting in a natural setting. Avoid heavily congested or overwhelming environments immediately after the session.

6. Be gentle and kind: Understand that the process of unwinding and integration may continue beyond the session. You may experience a range of emotions, sensitivity, or changes in energy levels for a few days following the session. Be patient and compassionate with yourself during this time.

7. Seek support: If you need assistance or have questions about your post-session experience, don't hesitate to reach out for support. You can contact me via phone or email, and I will be available to provide guidance or answer any queries you may have.

Remember, each person's experience and journey is unique. Honour and listen to your body's needs as you navigate the post-session period, allowing yourself the time and space for integration and self-care.

Deep down, we all long for a life filled with meaning, courage, love, connection, self-acceptance, inspiration, and a profound connection to the world around us. One of the most valuable gifts I have received in my own life is the courage to face my pain head-on. I have learned to truly acknowledge it, stay present with it even during the most difficult moments, and ultimately discover that life's most precious moments lie on the other side of that pain. Through this ongoing journey, I continue to uncover my true self and experience the beauty that life has to offer.

When we avoid or run from our pain, we become victims of circumstance. However, when we choose to confront and embrace our pain, we become spiritual warriors, empowered to navigate life with strength and resilience.

Let us embark together on a journey of discovery, where a simple breathwork practice can help us find focus, better manage stress, and bring greater fulfillment to each day. It is essential to understand that breathwork is not a quick fix or a one-time experience aimed at achieving catharsis. Instead, it is a transformative process that evolves over time. It requires training and rewiring of the brain to develop a pathway to inner peace. Like any skill, it takes practice and repetition. While a single session may offer heightened experiences, committing to a consistent practice can profoundly change your life at its core.

The combination of breathwork and counselling holds immense potential for transformation. Through this integrated approach, you will acquire essential life skills that will empower you to navigate life's challenges from a place of calm creativity and easeful productivity.

I offer personalised one-on-one counselling and breathwork sessions in central Auckland. For those unable to attend in person, I also provide virtual sessions via Zoom. I believe in making support accessible to all, so please don't hesitate to reach out regardless of your financial situation. You can connect with me 7-days a week.