Life begins with the first breath we take at birth, and from that moment on, breath becomes the foundation of our connection to life itself. The quality of our breathing deeply influences our state of being—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Inhalation exhalation reminds me to the movement of the waves.
I invite you to take time and observe your breathing. There are so many properties to explore:
-Feel it at your nose: Do you feel the airflow in your nostrils?
-Which side of your nostril is dominant right now? Left, right or both?
-Can you feel the change in temperature when you exhale?
Stay here and observe it for a minute or two if you have time.
Now move to your body with your attention: -Connect with your lungs. -Do you find any side of your lung more dominant? -Can you connect with the muscles responsible for breathing that are voluntarily controlled by the central nervous system?
Can you appreciate this simple yet profound movement that underpins our life?
You can also explore how it feels to breathe into both your abdomen and chest to maximize airflow and take full advantage of your respiratory system's capacity.
I recommend sitting comfortably for this exercise with your back supported with the wall or chair to have your other muscles relaxed.
Take your time here to observe the changes in your mind and body.
-Is it easy to observe all the steps above or do you find it challenging?
Breath is a powerful tool because it is the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind. Therefor observing it might be challenging especially if you have been through times which made you disconnected or disassociated from the body or life. Or have strong fear of connecting with the physical realm.
By intentionally changing the breath, or the attention during breathing, it is possible to shift the state of presence and create a stronger connection with the body and the world around you. One technique I learned is to imagine breathing into all cells in the body giving them oxygen make them flourish.
Another technique is to breath in while the attention is on the navel and breath out while having it on the navel this can increase confidence and connection with the surroundings.
Try changing your breathing pattern and shifting your attention while in a social environment. Observe how this changes your presence and the way others relate to you.
After traumatic or shocking events, breathing patterns often change unconsciously—becoming restricted or shallow. This can be a symptom of PTSD or prolonged activation of the stress response, where the body struggles to return to a state of calm and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) becomes underactive.
Shallow breathing can be an underlying cause of many health issues such as:
Chronic stress and anxiety: Short, shallow breaths activate the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight), making it difficult to relax.
Increased blood pressure: Poor oxygenation can strain the cardiovascular system, raising blood pressure over time.
Fatigue: Shallow breathing limits oxygen supply to the cells, reducing energy and slowing the body’s ability to repair itself.
Weakened immune system: Insufficient oxygen and heightened stress lower the body’s immune response.
Poor mental clarity: The brain, which relies on oxygen, may experience fogginess, reduced focus, and difficulty processing emotions.
By increasing breath awareness and practicing deep, intentional breathing:
Inhalations naturally deepen, supplying more oxygen to the body and brain.
Relaxation is enhanced, allowing the body to shift to a healing state.
Regeneration on all levels—physical, emotional, and mental—is supported.
The nervous system rebalances, promoting a calm, centered presence.
During Bodywork, I encourage continuous, mindful breathing—long, steady inhales and exhales. The focus is on the exhalation, engaging the respiratory muscles, especially the abdomen, to release all remaining air from the lungs. This clears space for a deep, fresh inhalation, nourishing every capillary and inviting vitality and renewal into your cells.
Breathing serves as both a cleansing and grounding practice, anchoring your attention and preventing it from slipping into old patterns or wandering away. Releasing stucked emotions and energies. This focus allows new pathways to open, fostering transformation and growth.
This rhythmic exchange reflects the interconnectedness of the micro and macrocosm: as you exhale, you release stagnation, and as you inhale, you invite flow and life into your being. Each breath becomes a sacred act of alignment, harmonizing your inner world with the pulse of the universe.
In my sessions, breathwork helps clients deepen their breath, promoting relaxation, releasing tension, and processing emotions. It allows them to maintain presence and reconnect with their bodies. Through breath, they can access deeper relaxation, experience profound regeneration on all levels, and strengthen their connection to life itself.
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