I've never been great at "slowing my breath". The practice of concentrating on my breathing allured me for years, but with a busy mind, busy schedule and busy children... I didn't know how to begin.
That's when I first met Gab from Everybody Breathe at a network event. In her lovely, warm demeanour she explained how she got into breath work and the wonders it's done for her clients and her personally. I was of course, intrigued. She invited me to her live breath work session via Skype later in the week, which I of course agreed to. This was my chance to try breath work for the first time and I couldn't wait to begin.
Logging into the live Zoom, I wasn't sure what to expect. But Gabrielle from Everybody Breathe made us all feel completely welcome; the soft lighting and calming music put us all at ease. She greeted us warmly and explained the basics of breath work – a practice that involves breathing patterns to help reduce stress and increase mindfulness.
As we began the session, I closed my eyes and focused on my breath, following her guidance to inhale deeply and exhale slowly. She introduced three new breathing patterns, each feeling like a gentle workout for my lungs.
About five minutes into following her guided breathing cues, I felt a genuine connection. It's hard to describe, but my mind felt clearer and my body more at ease, almost as if I were having a massage. It was so relaxing that I actually drifted into a deep slumber towards the end of the class!
I woke up 30 minutes after the session ended, feeling a bit guilty for falling asleep. However, I also noticed a renewed sense of energy that stayed with me into the next morning. When I explained what happened to Gab, she reassured me that this was quite common. I took it as a sign that this practice was something my body and mind truly needed, and that more sessions would be beneficial.
Overall, this virtual class was a powerful reminder of the importance of incorporating self-care moments into our lives. It was an ideal introductory course that could easily fit into busy daily routines.
For mompreneurs like myself, these evening classes are perfect while the children are asleep. The virtual format means I can join in from the comfort of my own home, which is a definite plus.
Gabrielle was kind enough to offer our readers a 3 gentle cues for people to connect with their breathe.
In own words:
Take a moment to feel your breath…
In this world of go, go, go - we often become detached from the very thing that keeps us alive, our breath.
Sit and pause for a moment…
…as you breathe, draw the breath in through your nose, and sense the temperature of your breath entering your body.
…as you breathe again, place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly, and feel the breath move from the top of your chest right down into your belly.
…as you let go of that breath, let some of the tension in your body melt away, in your exhale.
and remember…you have everything you need inside of you, breathe well, trust that…and so it is.
I'm excited to continue exploring the benefits of breathwork and making it a part of my weekly routine. A big thank you to Gabrielle and Everybody Breathe for introducing me to this practice. With both online and in-person options available, she's made breathwork accessible to everyone.
If you're interested in beginning a breathwork journey, feel free to reach out to Gabrielle at Everybody Breathe, and maybe I'll see you in class (virtually)!
Have you tried a breathwork class ? I'd love to hear about your experiences and how it has impacted your life. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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