What is Breathwork & Why Does It Matter?
Breathwork is one of those practices that sounds so simple—after all, we’re breathing all the time! But intentional, guided breathwork takes this essential act to an entirely new level, transforming it into a tool for deep healing, creativity, and self-discovery. Breathwork involves specific breathing techniques that help you connect with your body, calm your nervous system, and clear away stress and emotional blocks. And believe me, it has changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Let’s dive into the science, spirituality, and yes, some funny personal stories about how breathwork can truly change the way you live and interact with the world.
The Science Behind Breathwork: Why It Works
On a scientific level, breathwork directly impacts the autonomic nervous system, which controls your body’s stress and relaxation responses. By practicing breathwork, you activate the parasympathetic (or “rest and digest”) system, which calms your body, reduces stress hormones, and helps you feel more at ease.
Some breath techniques also increase oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which can enhance brain function, clarity, and even creativity. This means that breathwork doesn’t just help you feel more centered; it’s literally rewiring your brain and body for resilience and better focus. Studies have shown that specific breathing techniques lower cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and increase endorphins, so you get that “clear-headed, positive feeling” that helps you tackle challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
The Spiritual Side: Breath as a Bridge
In many spiritual traditions, breath is seen as a bridge between the body and soul, a kind of universal connector that helps us tap into something beyond our physical selves. In ancient practices like pranayama and qigong, breath has been used to clear energy blocks and bring practitioners closer to a state of peace and alignment. Breathwork, in this context, becomes a tool for tuning into your higher self, that part of you that’s connected to something greater.
Personally, breathwork has allowed me to “quiet the noise” and tune into what I truly want and feel, not what I’m told I should want or feel. It's powerful to realize that with each breath, you can let go of beliefs and emotions that aren’t serving you and reconnect with a truer version of yourself.
How Breathwork Changed My Life (And all the irony along the way)
I’ll admit, when I first started breathwork, it was incredibly intense for me—almost brutal. It felt like I was trying to tame a wild beast with every inhale and exhale. But I stuck with it because my intuition was LOUD, almost like an annoying upstairs neighbor clattering around in heels while I was trying to take a nap. It was the most clear and obnoxious intuitive hit of my life up until that point!
Now, I’m not sharing this to scare anyone, but it was a tough journey at first. Despite the challenge, I was so glad I listened. Through breathwork, I was able to process so many experiences I had internalized, experiences that were dictating my internal and external landscape. It was unreal how deep some unconscious patterns ran, driving me straight into the same roadblocks over and over again.
As I continued with the practice, I found clarity and healing in ways I never expected. The more I engaged with breathwork, the more I could uncover layers of myself that I had long forgotten—transforming that initial struggle into a pathway of profound self-discovery and empowerment.
Why Breathwork is a Practice, Not a Quick Fix
One of the things I tell people is that breathwork is a practice. Just like going to the gym, you don’t see the results instantly, and it takes consistency to build resilience. Each session is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself and your responses to life. In a world that’s always on the go, breathwork creates a space to pause, release, and reset.
Through regular breathwork practice, you’ll notice shifts in how you handle challenges, connect with others, and relate to yourself. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, feel more confident, or tap into your creativity, breathwork can be that tool that brings you back to center, grounding you in the present and opening you up to new possibilities.
Ready to Start Your Breathwork Journey?
If you’re curious about how breathwork can bring greater peace, resilience, and even joy to your life, consider joining my Breathe With Me Community. It’s a space for those who want to go deeper, sharing live monthly sessions where we explore breathwork techniques to support healing, self-worth, and creativity. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to deepen your practice, this community is a place to connect, breathe, and grow—together.
Breathwork is a journey into yourself, both grounding and freeing, with a surprising dose of humor and insight along the way.