About breathwork

 

About holistic breathwork

Holistic breathwork is a transformative therapeutic practice that encompasses the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of our being. It utilises conscious connected breathing and mind-body techniques to support holistic well-being.

By engaging in a guided dynamic breathing technique known as conscious connected breathing, breathwork enables access to subconscious material, including memories, thoughts, feelings, emotions, visual experiences, and sensations. These experiences are thoughtfully explored, amplified, and, if needed, released to promote healing and personal growth.

Unlike traditional talking therapies, holstic breathwork goes beyond the realm of the conscious mind, granting access to experiences beyond everyday awareness. This sets it apart as a powerful tool, allowing for the processing of trauma by bringing attention to bodily sensations and non-verbal memories. Moreover, breathwork facilitates the release and discharge of emotions and stress while enhancing positive experiences within the body.

During breathwork sessions, the practitioner creates a safe and supportive environment, holding space for you to connect with your own "inner wisdom." It's important to note that breathwork, like any therapy, is not a quick fix. It requires time and commitment to yield lasting results. While a single session provides a valuable experience, it is recommended to engage in a series of holistic breathwork sessions for best outcomes.

Why practice holistic breathwork?

Breathwork therapy assists with a broad range of presenting issues. Such as:

  • Prolonged/chronic stress underpins many chronic illnesses and mental health issues of our generation. The mind and body are deeply interconnected, and unresolved emotional issues and chronic stress can lead to various illnesses and health problems. Long-term stress can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of chronic disease, and contribute to cancer, autoimmune disease and other physical ailments. Prolonged stress can result in a anxiety diagnosis. Over time, anxiety can lead to depression.

    Breathwork enables you to discharge stress held in the body and address unresolved emotional issues that contribute to and exacerbate stress, anxiety and depression. Breathwork offered by Transition Breath, alongside holistic psychotherapy, can provide new perspectives on how to reshape your life in order to reduce stress levels, overcome anxiety and recover from the depression cycle.

  • Trauma is not an event, rather it is an imprint of the event embedded in the nervous system and brain. According to trauma expert Peter Levine, the trauma imprint reshapes and distorts how we experience the present moment, altering our biology, psychology and social equilibrium. We subsequently respond to certain events or triggers in a distorted way.

    There are two types of trauma: “Big T” trauma (road accident, natural disasters, sexual abuse, a violent attack, for example) is our common understanding of trauma. However, “little t” trauma (bullying and harassment, childhood neglect, financial hardship, for example) can be equally as impactful as the “Big T” variety of trauma. Traumas can be inter-generational and originate from early childhood. In this respect, it is perfectly normal and human to experience trauma. In fact, you would be an outlier in our society if you did not have some form of trauma shaping your experience and understanding of the world. For some, trauma(s) may result in post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD), which is characterised by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, hypervigerlance and emotional distress.

    Transition Breath’s breathwork technique uses mind/body practices to support people with trauma and PTSD. Through the use of breathwork and holistic, somatic-based therapeutic techniques, participants are able downregulate and eventually access, release and reframe traumatic experiences. The facilitation of personal or group breathwork by Transition Breath follows trauma-informed best practice.

  • When self-limiting beliefs or behavioural issues like addictions, shyness, procrastination, and disassociation affect us, they can restrict our life experiences. By incorporating breathwork and psychotherapy/counselling, we can delve into the subconscious roots of these behavioural, addiction, and self-confidence challenges. Eventually, we can craft new narratives, outlooks, and behaviours.

  • Breathwork isn't solely about addressing life's challenges and negative experiences. It can also enhance positive experiences and promote overall health and well-being. Consider adding breathwork to your wellness toolkit as a regular practice to enhance your experience of flow, rekindle creativity, and enrich positive feelings, such as joy and love.

  • Breathwork awakens sensations and energy within the body, potentially altering our relationship with and perception of bodily pain. It can enable you to experience pain in a different way, observing its sensations without feeling confined or overwhelmed. Additionally, it might offer clarity about its source or alleviate stress, which can intensify pain. While breathwork may not eliminate pain entirely, it can offer relief and a fresh perspective to help you move forward in life with greater ease.

  • Sex and sexuality are essential aspects of our existence. Our sexual energy serves as an indicator of our vitality and vibrancy. Nevertheless, despite its significance, many of us may encounter challenges or grapple with self-confidence issues related to our sexuality.


    Breathwork can be a valuable tool for gaining clarity about our sexuality, processing past sexual traumas and addressing addictive sexual behaviours and fears. It enables us to delve into the subconscious factors influencing our sexual identity, including those within the LGBTIQ+ community, and promotes overall sexual health and well-being.

  • Breathwork can strengthen relationships by nurturing emotional well-being, refining communication, and deepening connections.

    By accessing the body's natural relaxation response, breathwork effectively discharges and reduces stress, fostering a sense of calm and centeredness. This, in turn, positively influences our emotional state and has a direct impact on the quality of our relationships.

    Moreover, breathwork serves as a powerful tool for uncovering and addressing unprocessed traumas that may shape our relational dynamics. Whether with partners, colleagues, friends, family, or the broader community, breathwork can assist in identifying and resolving these influences. By doing so, it acts as a lens-clearing mechanism, allowing us to perceive our relationships more distinctly and become adept at fulfilling our needs for authenticity and attachment.

    In summary, engaging in breathwork contributes to enhanced emotional regulation, increased presence, improved communication, heightened empathy, and a strengthened sense of trust within relationships. Consider breathwork as a valuable practice to cultivate a more harmonious and fulfilling connection with those around you.

  • The quest for meaning and purpose is fundamental to human well-being, yet many individuals struggle to fulfill this essential need. Without a clear sense of meaning or purpose, our overall well-being and happiness may suffer.

    Breathwork offers a pathway to tap into your inner wisdom, aiding in the discovery and identification of a life purpose and meaning. Through intentional breathwork practices, you can access a profound connection with your inner self, unveiling insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of your personal, professional, or spiritual purpose.

    Moreover, engaging in breathwork can bring about greater clarity and insight, allowing you to explore and refine your sense of meaning and purpose. Whether you seek fulfillment in your personal life, professional endeavors, or spiritual journey, breathwork can be a transformative tool to align yourself with a more purposeful and meaningful existence.

  • There is a rising interest in psychedelic/plant medicine ceremonies in Australia and globally. Similar to psychedelics, breathwork is an altered-state practice, capable of eliciting experiences similar to those encountered in plant medicine or psychedelic journeys. Breathwork is an integral component of the training for psychedelic therapists, both in Australia and abroad.

    In addition, breathwork serves as a highly effective tool for supporting the integration and continued exploration of themes that emerge from plant-medicine/psychedelic experiences. It complements these experiences, providing a valuable avenue for individuals to process and integrate insights gained during their psychedelic journeys.

The breathwork offered at Transition Breath is influenced by a broad range of breathwork traditions, therapies and spiritual practices. These include:

  • Rebirthing, Holotropic and shamanic breathwork;

  • Holistic (Rapport-based relating) psychotherapy;

  • Process-orientated and transpersonal psychotherapy;

  • Bioenergetics and other somatic therapies;

  • Vipassana meditation; and

  • Yogic pranayama traditions.

 
 

Want more information? Schedule in a 15-minute connection call at link below, or contact Transition Breath at info@transitionbreath.com