Author Archives: Savanna Cassidy

How Breathwork Can Help

Through conscious connecting the breath, the focus of attention is guided into the body. As the breath unfolds we meet all the “folds” that are in our way. You could say that the “folds” are the blockages in the body-mind.

Focusing on our breathing helps us not to identify with what we are feeling and/or thinking, so that we don’t have to drown in our feelings. We become able to breathe continuously whatever we think or feel and thus centre ourselves in “the here and now”.

We begin to notice that we are not our feelings and that there is something in us that’s “bigger” than all of our drama. We are enabled to observe what’s happening from an aware ego position and to feel enough safety, in which we can integrate our past hurts and pains. We stop feeling like victims.

There is a deep sense of peace the moment we can let go of our judgements. Deep inside us we know -in a nearly indescribable way- that we made a connection with our own true being. This is the process we call ecstasy when consciousness frees itself from limiting thoughts, judgements and convictions and we are no longer identified with them. We are able to “stand by” and perceive. Our bodies don’t lie. We can feel the truth. The blocked energy starts to flow freely again physically and mentally. New possibilities of choice occur. This process may happen very quietly or with a great sense of euphoria.

When energy is prevented from flowing, consciousness disappears. Where energy flows, consciousness steps in.

Tilke Platteel-Deur, Breathwork Practitioner

Benefits of conscious breathing

“Each full breath we take has a beneficial impact. If we take that full breath consciously, with awareness, the benefits are exponentially increased. We can develop a practice of breathing this way. We can even cultivate skill in the way we allow our breath to be modulated by our experiences, and the ways that we encourage a full deep breath in every moment – in the presence of all of the vicissitudes of a human life. We can come to understand and expereince that within each breath we breathe dwells the possibility for greater health, healing, and wellness, personal growth and development, creativity, developing intelligence and wisdom, accessing intuition, and evolving and building a healthy world together.”

Jessica Dibb, “The Complete Breath”

Healing Potential of Your Breath

“At the beginning of the 21st century there is expanding recognition that the source of much illness and disease is lack of oxygenation. How fortunate we are that there is wisdom from ancient times to today that can teach and guide us in consciously harnessing the full benefits of our breath. It is our most potent nutrient, and our most potentiated vehicle for awareness and self-actualization – and it is free and available every moment. From the simplest of breathing techniques that encourage relaxation and stress-reduction, to progressively enhanced techniques that promote cortisone regulation, stimulate immune functioning and hormonal regulation, to neural regulation and integration, and finally to intensive breathing techniques that help humans to penetrate the deepest parts of themselves, access their greatest gifts and fully flower as a being – breath is a surprising, delightful and awesome blessing.

Envision a world in which every baby is so loved and supported that there is little or no restriction or constriction, or holding of the breath due to anxiety, fear or unnecessary suffering. Envision that these relaxed, breathing childrenʼs bodies are then taught early in life about the significance, power and potential of deep and healthy breathing. Imagine a world in which these children are taught to breathe optimally and even expand their knowledge and capacity to breathe. Imagine a world in which all adults are supported and guided in retraining their bodies to breathe fully. Could we, as a species, as individuals, be healthy? Could we then meet each other with more relaxation, confidence, and awareness of the other? Could we then work together to keep our air, earth and water clean and vibrant? Could we then recognize our common humanity- and need to love and be loved? Could we build a healthy world that we can collectively relish together?”

Jessica Dibb

Stress Relief Through Breathwork Meditation

If you are like most people you experience some kind of stress on a daily basis. For some the level of daily stress can be debilitating. The American Institute of Stress says that stress is America’s number one health problem. It’s been estimated that 75 – 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems. And it has been medically proven that stress has a direct impact on the immune system.

So, how can you manage the stress in your life? World-renowned cardiologist Dr. Dean Ornish says that deep breathing is the best form of stress management known to man.

As the founder of Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation, one of the questions I get asked the most is “How does Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation help with managing stress and stress related ailments such as depression, anxiety and chronic pain?

Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation is a simple and powerful way to use breathing to activate your own healing energy and life force, and to release stress on a cellular level. It supports physical, emotional and mental healing, as you simultaneously connect more to spirit. And by oxygenating your blood through breathwork you can enjoy greater vitality and the health benefits of increased detoxification.

I believe Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation is a most powerful tool for stress management. In just one 90-minute session of Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation you can experience a deep calm, and a feeling of inner peace and wellbeing. Many clients have told me that after just one session they felt the most relaxed they’d ever felt in their life.

Don’t let stress ruin your life, your health and your relationships. Find the peace and relief that you deserve and need now. To learn more about Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation, to find out about upcoming Breathworkshops in your area, or to bring a Breathworkshop to your area, visit breakthroughbreathwork.com.

And take a nice deep breath.

Kris Cassidy

Scientific Understanding of Breathwork

SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE BREATH

by Carol Lampman

The scientific understanding of the breath and its support of the physical body continues to grow. Studies prove that, in addition to supplying life-giving oxygen to the cells of the body, respiration profoundly affects almost every system in the body. Research has shown that the breath has a profound effect on every aspect of the body, brain chemistry and the nervous system. What many of us have known for a very long time is now being validated. There is no magic pill that will make it all happen instantly but the work with the breath is surely the fast track to greater freedom.

The breath accesses the inner levels of the body, emotions, mind and spirit. These levels form a matrix within which every aspect and every experience is organized and interconnected. They are unified and cannot be separated; we have a body fueled by the breath, imbued with emotions, ruled by the dictates of the mind and fused by Spirit. The breath moves the life force energy, which animates and integrates the totality of our being. It is the link between the conscious and unconscious, allowing us to travel to unexplored inner realms for growth and self-empowerment.

The natural, organic altered state created by the breath unites us with the greater awareness and wisdom of our essence. There is a mechanism within each of us, the inner healer that knows exactly what is needed in order to return to health and wholeness. The basic principle is that “whatever is most needed” to restore us to our original nature will emerge spontaneously during the altered state created through the use of the breath. This remarkable, inner wisdom knows what is needed, at the right time and in exactly the right sequence, for the ultimate transformation to occur.

Breath Moves Consciousness

By taking the time to meditate and open up to your true nature you not only give to yourself but you are also bringing more love, light and healing to so many others.

We’d like to share some words we recently read from Wayne Dyer on using one’s breath to move consciousness.

“The breath has the capacity to ease pain and soften tension. When you concentrate on breathing, your mind is able to gather together all its scattered energies. Your mind becomes much more focused, quiet, and clear. In fact, when you focus on your breathing, you are in the present, in the here and now. You are able to truly shift from one state of consciousness to another.

Some great thinkers have actually said that the breath has the power to actually move matter and consciousness to new states of being. The breath is the life force. When you focus on breathing, you focus on directing the life force within you. This focuses and quiets your mind and helps you move energy. That’s why it’s so powerful to breathe into your difficulties. It moves them, shifts them, and transforms them.”

Breathwork for Anxiety and Stress

Learn how to use breathwork for anxiety and stress

Connected breathing, also known as circular or conscious breathing, is a breathing technique that involves taking deep, full breaths in a continuous cycle, without pausing between inhaling and exhaling. This technique has been shown to help alleviate anxiety and stress by increasing the supply of oxygen to the body, slowing down the heart rate, and activating the body’s relaxation response.

Here are some ways connected breathing can help with anxiety and stress:

Reducing tension and promoting relaxation: When we’re stressed or anxious, our bodies tend to tense up, leading to physical discomfort and tightness. Connected breathing can help to release this tension, promoting relaxation and reducing physical discomfort.
Regulating the nervous system: Connected breathing helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, which controls our fight or flight response. By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, we can promote feelings of calm and relaxation, which can help to alleviate anxiety and stress.
Increasing oxygen supply: When we breathe deeply and continuously, we increase the supply of oxygen to our bodies. This can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, as well as improve overall physical health.

Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation modality offers conscious connected breathing. Visit our website breakthroughbreathwork.com

Breathwork Healing for Anxiety

Breathwork is an active form of meditation that allows us to disconnect from our mind, reconnect with our body, energy, and ourselves, and enter a different state of consciousness. This elevated state brings us closer to healing, clarity, peace, wholeness, and further from chronic stress and anxiety.

Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation sessions and Breathwork workshops are available in the Asheville area.

Breathwork helping anxiety

During breathwork, we actively control the length and depth of our inhales and exhales, to have an effect on our emotional and physical state. Breathwork is an active form of meditation with many health benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, and boosted mood.

Conscious Breathing

“Being aware of your breath forces you into the present moment – the key to all inner transformation. Whenever you are conscious of the breath, you are absolutely present. You may also notice that you cannot think and be aware of your breathing. Conscious breathing stops your mind.”

Eckart Tolle