November 29, 2024
It's funny how life has a way of nudging us in unexpected directions.
Remember that breathwork challenge I did this summer? More than 30 days of hour-long sessions that left me feeling...well, transformed is putting it mildly.
I want to share an update about that. I needed some time away, so I traveled during late summer and fell out of practice for a bit. But I’m not sharing this because it’s bad; it’s simply something that happened. Life happens!
After I got home, I was feeling the pull to re-establish some consistent breathwork, but hour-long journeys simply didn’t feel aligned. I was faced with a challenge that all of us know too well: how do we maintain our practices when life gets busy?
At first, I'll admit, I felt lost. I tried my usual daily breathing to simply focus for a few moments and check in with myself. But something was missing. I was craving that deep, transformative experience I'd experienced during my breathwork challenge, while also struggling to find the time required.
Then, as often happens when we make ourselves open, inspiration struck. I realized that maybe, maybe, I didn't need an hour to tap into that breathwork magic. What if I could create a powerful experience in just 10 to 30 minutes?
I decided to experiment. What I discovered has not only reignited my own practice but reaffirmed what I’ll be offering in my Inspired Breath membership.
Let’s talk about all of it! I want to share the long-term benefits of consistent breathwork, everything I'm still uncovering months after my challenge, and the immediate impact of these new, shorter but potent sessions.
If you’re wondering how a short 10-minute breathwork session could possibly compare to an hour-long journey, trust me, I had the same doubts!
It’s all about intention and intensity.
When I realized I couldn't carve out an hour every day, I decided to approach my shorter sessions with the same level of commitment I brought to longer ones. Instead of just sitting in a chair and breathing for 10 minutes, I moved to my bedroom, creating a dedicated space.
I also started using all the tools I typically reserve for longer sessions—full-body movement, vocalization, everything! Basically, I condensed an hour's worth of energy into a concentrated amount of time.
It has worked out wonderfully. The more I’ve been experimenting, using powerful playlists to get me into a deeper headspace quickly, the more effects I’m noticing.
(Side Note: I have over 70 breathwork playlists you can check out on Spotify for free!)
What I love is that I’m still experiencing profound releases, gaining insights, and connecting with myself, just in less time. And these shorter sessions fit into my daily life so much more easily right now.
BUT, long journeys are powerful (those will never fully go away), and I’m still feeling the aftereffects from my summer breathwork challenge.
Someone recently asked me what I had gained from that intense month of daily practice, and it made me realize how many benefits I was still experiencing now, months later.
First, I’ve noticed a new clarity about my life and what I want to create. My thought is that those breathwork sessions had been slowly decluttering my mind, making space for my true passions to come into focus. It feels pretty good to have that kind of clarity!
But it's not just about knowing what I want—I also feel more empowered to make it happen. There's this sense of "I've got this," that wasn't there before. It's like my breath had been whispering to me all along, "You're stronger than you think," and finally, I started listening.
Another benefit I’m really enjoying: I have a much lower tolerance for bullshit. Not just other people’s BS, but my own! Breathwork cleared away the cobwebs of self-deception, leaving me with a better radar for authenticity.
But I think the most profound change is one that's harder to put into words. It's an overall sense of wellness, a feeling of being more at home in my own skin. I feel healthy, I feel alive, and it’s an amazing feeling.
Now, let's dive into some immediate benefits you might notice from breathwork. While those long-term benefits are absolutely wonderful, there's something to be said for the immediate impact of a daily breathwork practice.
Here's what I've been experiencing:
When you start your own consistent breathwork practice, you may experience all of this too and likely more. There’s so much going on for me, even from my shorter sessions, that I always have a journal nearby. That’s something I recommend—have a paper and pen ready (or take notes on your phone) so you can record any insights, visions, thoughts, etc. It’s a great tool for later reflection and to review your journey.
First, we need to talk about trauma. Our culture, and often our personal experiences, have taught many of us to disconnect from our bodies. It's like we're walking around in a constant state of low-grade disconnection without even realizing it.
This disconnection isn't just in our heads, though. It literally affects our physical health. There's been a ton of research showing a strong correlation between childhood trauma and diseases that crop up later in life, like autoimmune disorders. It's so well-documented that some insurance companies are even considering asking about childhood experiences!
So, what does breathwork have to do with this?
When we practice consistently, whether it’s a long or short session, and incorporate movement and vocalization, we're literally rewiring our nervous systems. We're teaching our bodies that it's safe to feel, safe to be present, safe to connect.
How often do you really feel safe in your body? For a lot of us, sensations or emotions can feel overwhelming or scary. But through a consistent practice, we learn that we can manage these experiences. We can be with ourselves, even in moments of discomfort.
The physical benefits are incredible too. We're oxygenating our bodies, releasing held tension, and helping our nervous systems regulate. It's like a reset, every single time we practice.
Even if you start small, even if you can only manage a few minutes a day, you're still reaping these benefits. Every time you choose to connect with your breath, you're choosing to connect with yourself. You're choosing health on all levels—physical, emotional, and mental.
It’s clear why consistency is so important and that it will bring so many benefits and more wellness to your life. But, just as I mentioned earlier, life happens, doesn't it? You might start off strong, breathing every day for a week, and then suddenly find yourself overwhelmed or struggling to keep up.
If that happens, I want you to take a deep breath and repeat after me: "It's okay. I'm doing my best."
That’s it.
The number one thing I recommend when it comes to challenges with consistency is to bring compassion to yourself. Beating yourself up for missing a session or falling off your practice is never helpful. In fact, it will drive you to more detrimental behaviors.
Take a breath, bring compassion to yourself, then start again.
If you're struggling to maintain a consistent practice, here are a few tips that have worked wonders for me and my clients:
The most important thing is finding what works for you.
And you know what? This is exactly why I'm so excited about the Inspired Breath membership. It's designed to make consistent practice as easy and accessible as possible. With a variety of session lengths and themes, plus weekly live sessions and a supportive community, it's like having a breathwork mentor right in your pocket.
Finally, it’s time to share more about my new membership! All of these experiences and insights I've been sharing with you have led here, to this launch.
This isn't just another online program—it's a breathing revolution, and I want you to be part of it. Here's what makes it so unique:
I've designed this membership to be your encouragement, your accountability partner, and your source of inspiration all rolled into one. Whether you're a breathwork newbie or if you’ve been at this for a while, whether you have hours to dedicate or just a few minutes a day, there's something here for you.
And let's be honest—some days, you might not feel motivated to practice on your own. That's where the live sessions and community come in. There's something incredibly powerful about knowing others are breathing with you, even if you can't see them.
Are you ready to transform your life? To see what benefits a consistent breathwork practice can bring?
Are you ready to join a community of like-minded souls on this journey of self-discovery and healing?
Then I invite you to join my Inspired Breath membership. This is an invitation to deepen your relationship with yourself, to explore the power of your breath, and to experience the magic that happens when we commit to this practice together.
Whether you're seeking clarity, healing, or empowerment, our services are tailored to meet your unique needs. Take the first step towards a more inspired life.
