Clinical Psychologist
Cascade Clarity
Psychological Services©
Integrative Evidence-Based Psychotherapy
In-Person or Online in California
Breathwork
"When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace." -Unknown
"Breathwork" is an umbrella term for any type of controlled breathing technique. Stemming from the yogic practice of pranayama, breathwork strategies aim to calm the mind, regulate the body's energy, and improve physical and mental well-being. The particular form of breathwork I'm certified in is "conscious, connected, circular" breath. It's an active breath meditation involving two breaths in and one breath out through an open mouth. Through this practice, you have the power to "shake up" and release emotional energy that has gotten stuck the body. Research has shown many benefits to this practice:
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Stress relief and relaxation by activating the Parasympathetic Nervous Systems (PNS), or the Rest-and-Digest part of the the nervous system.
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Improve mood and reduction in anxiety and depression by releasing endorphins, or the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals.
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Relief from physical pain. Endorphins are also the body's natural "pain killers." The deep relaxation also releases physical and emotional tension, which can reduce physical pain.
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Enhanced respiratory and immune functioning by increasing the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and energy throughout the body. The activation of the PNS also promotes cellular repair, digestion, and immune functioning.
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Improved sleep and increased energy levels by helping to regulate the sleep-wake circadian rhythm and promoting deep relaxation.
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Access to intuition and higher levels of consciousness with the brain's activation of alpha waves, suggesting your brain is in a state of relaxed, receptive awareness. It's in this alpha state that you can bring the subconscious into conscious awareness, gaining new nights and clarity. In addition, the part of your brain that is connected to the ego, called the "default mode network" shuts off, and you become less attached to your thoughts and feelings and more connected to your body and intuition.
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This breathwork practice has been used for thousands of years for inner healing and spiritual connection with many additional benefits that aren't fully understood yet by western medicine and science. Some of these benefits may include deep healing of grief and trauma, greater self-love and loving relationships, increased feelings of connectedness, clarity of your authentic self and life path, and overwhelming feelings of peace and joy.
During a breathwork session, you will lie down on the floor with a bolster under your knees and a blanket over your body. I will lead you through 20-25 min of active, circular breathing paired with a curated music selection and encourage emotional release through crying, yelling, coughing, and/or laughing. After the active breathwork, you will then have the opportunity to lay in a meditative and relaxed state for 7-10 min, which gives you the opportunity to "receive" through clarity, intuition, and higher guidance.
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****Given the sound elements to this practice and the improved results when in a safe and comfortable environment, breathwork sessions are currently only available via video platform to the home.
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Have you ever wondered why we've been given the ability to control our breath? Breath is a powerful tool if you know how to use it. It's most often used as a tool to help us to anchor to the present and self-regulate. However, it can also be used to tap into parts of our physiology and spiritual selves that you might not believe possible.
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