Some conversations are life changing.
A few months ago, I had one of those conversations, and it led me down a path of self-discovery. That journey has been nothing short of magical.
It started with a conversation with my mentor. As we were chatting, I found myself revealing some truths about myself that I hadn’t even realized were there. It was like peeling back layers, uncovering deep complications within myself that I had been completely missing. To say it floored me would be an understatement!
I remember thinking, “How could I not know these truths about myself? How does this just come out of the blue?” Of course, on some level, I did know. But I wasn’t ready to face it, to have that clarity and awareness until that moment when I started talking about it.
That revelation sparked something in me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what else I might discover if I pushed it further. I felt this intense desire to go deeper, to explore. The question was: how?
Well! I decided to do something I’d never done before. I set myself a challenge: seven days of breathwork, committing to 45 minutes to an hour each day.
When I started, I had no idea that 7 days would turn into 30 days (and counting), or that it would impact me so profoundly that I’d been bursting with enthusiasm to share this challenge with everyone I can.
By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire you to tackle your own. So, let’s begin.
The Challenge
The plan was simple but intense: commit to an hour-long breathwork journey every day for an entire week.
Now, I’ve been practicing breathwork for about 25 years, so you might think this wouldn’t be a big deal for me.
It totally was!
I do already have a 10-minute breathing practice that I’ve done for a few years, going on deeper journeys as needed. I also do breath retreats, monthly Breath Is Prayer ceremonies, and breathwork with clients.
So, breathwork is integrated into my life.
BUT, as I started this challenge, I quickly saw how such a committed, consistent deep-dive can change everything.
The experiences I had during these hour-long sessions were incredibly profound and wide-ranging. Each day brought something new:
- A range of emotions. Some days, I’d cry; other days, I’d feel anger bubbling up and move that energy through my body.
- Beliefs from my childhood that I didn’t even realize I still carried came to the surface.
- Insights into what I want to create in my life, seeing possibilities I hadn’t considered.
- Spiritual experiences. I connected with spirit guides, ancestors, and even a dear friend who had passed.
- The births of my children, reliving those intense, beautiful moments.
- My own mortality, confronting the grief that comes with recognizing our limited time here.
The challenge was so amazing that when the seven days were up, I couldn’t bring myself to stop. Why would I? I kept going, and by the time I sat down to write this, I was at about 30 breathwork journeys.
Yes, I missed a couple of days here and there. But mostly, I showed up for myself every single day, ready to see what the breath would reveal.
Benefits and Revelations
As I’ve hinted at, I noticed some pretty incredible changes during this challenge. Some of them have been obvious, while others have been a bit more subtle.
For example, one morning I woke up feeling in a funk. I hadn’t slept well, and my view of myself and life was just…closed off. We all have those days. I was feeling so “blah” that I was going to skip breathwork that morning.
But something wouldn’t let me—I kept feeling such a strong internal push to get it done, that I sat down and went through the motions, not expecting much. I did my breathwork session, and honestly, I felt like I wasn’t getting much from it. So, I gave myself a pat on the back for following through with the challenge and started my day.
Fast forward to an hour later: I suddenly realized how different I felt! I was feeling so much freer and I was filled with gratitude. It was like night and day compared to when I first woke up.
This disconnect between what my mind was telling me during a session and the actual benefits has been a recurring theme throughout my challenge. Some breathwork journeys felt huge and profound, while others seemed smaller or less significant.
But you know what? They all had an effect. They all benefited me, often in ways I didn’t immediately recognize.
Over time, I noticed improvements in my mood and overall outlook on life. I felt more expansive, more grateful. Also, I’ve even noticed my skin has more of a glow to it! The benefits continue to surprise me.
What really struck me was how this challenge took my breathwork practice to a whole new level. In my usual 10-minute sessions, I wouldn’t typically come face-to-face with my grief about mortality or feel a profound connection with my ancestors. Those shorter sessions are more surface-level—still worthwhile, but not as deep. This challenge showed me just how much more is possible when you dedicate more time and consistency to the practice.
Reflections on the Challenge
I now have such a renewed enthusiasm for breathwork.
What started as a seven-day experiment turned into a month-long journey that has profoundly impacted my life. And remember, I’ve been doing breathwork for 25 years—I thought I knew what to expect, but this challenge proved me wrong!
I’ve learned to trust the process, even when it didn’t feel “deep” or profound in the moment. The challenge has taught me that the work is always happening, even when I can’t immediately see or feel it. It’s reinforced my belief that breathwork isn’t just a practice—it’s a powerful tool for self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth. And consistency pays off.
I want to invite you to explore the power of breathwork for yourself. You don’t need to dive into a 30-day challenge right away (though if you feel called to, go for it!). Start small, aiming for a breathwork session every day for a week, be consistent, and see what unfolds.
And if you need some guidance…I’ll be launching a breathwork membership in September! It’s the culmination of months of work and I’m so excited to start sharing it.
The whole premise is to turn breathwork into a consistent practice, just like I’ve done in this challenge. Members will have access to a variety of breathwork recordings from me, allowing them to experience different types of sessions and find what works best.
That will be coming in September.
For now, if you’re curious about breathwork, or just want to talk, I invite you to book a 15-minute discovery session with me. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, get support, and see how you can start creating an inspired life.
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