Why is the breath so important?
Breath is the key to our biology as well as our spiritual nature. Without it, we do not survive; with it, we thrive, and combined with awareness, we awaken. Breath is not just oxygen; it is the vehicle for the subtle life force to enliven us as it passes through the currents of the breath. The root of breath in Latin is respire (re) – return, (spiritus) – the spirit: each breath is the return of spirit.

A deep, full breath provides us with incredible amounts of energy, vitality and clarity; a shallow breath pattern promotes disease, accelerates the aging process and becomes the greatest contributor for low energy. Every one of the body’s systems from detoxification, to burning fat to moving the lymph requires oxygen. A consistent, shallow breath means the body doesn’t have enough fuel to eliminate toxins and fats so it stores them.

Most of us are not taught to breathe, yet when we are shown how to fully use our complete respiratory system we bring health to parts of our body that have become stagnant from years of shallow breathing. Deep breathing uses the diaphragm, which stimulates a gentle massage of the abdominal organs. Without this vital massage common ailments arise such as a sluggish digestive track/ colon, tension in the lower back, stagnation in the reproductive organs and more. The abdominal region in eastern medicine is also known as our true source of power, creativity and ability to trust in the web of life.

How we breathe tells the story of how we live. Our inhalation is about taking in vital energy, are we saying ‘yes’ to life? The exhalation is about how well we let go of what we no longer need; can we release what we don’t like or do we push it away? Can we relax into the flow of life? How do we handle fear, or pain when it arises? Are we living vitally and aligned with a sense of purpose?

How long will it take me to improve my breathing?
Breath patterns are learned from our parents, and they are our reactions to life situations. Those patterns are holding the subconscious in place. That is why the breath is the key to unlock all the stuck/stagnant energy of the body. The body and breath want to heal and will do so as quickly as you are able to integrate the changes.

I recommend three sessions fairly close together to get a clear picture of the patterns holding you back. To experience ones closer to the surface and to share basic tools to anchor what you learn from the sessions. Working with the breath is like meditation, you don’t expect to do it once and be done for the rest of your life. As you become aware of when you hold the breath, you will shift the pattern. The breath will begin to breathe you in stressful situations.

The heart of my work is based upon the premise that breathing and thinking are not separate. I work intricately with a client’s breath pattern and the thinking that supports it. Some immediate benefits are an increase in respiratory capacity, and the clearing of mental/emotional blocks from the subconscious. This provides a direct link to what is essential and pure in the client, and opens the path for realizing goals and dreams. My education includes an MA from the Naropa Institute in leadership and creation spirituality, most recently attended a 6 month retreat with Tibetan Dzogchen Lama, for 20 years studying a variety of spiritual practices and energy modalities: including being a senior trainer with the Transformational Breath Foundation, traveling around the world supporting trainings and workshops, Reiki Practitioner, completed the courses of Matrix Energetics, David Elliott and CDM Psychic Institute, Tai Chi & Chi Gong and more.