There are 2 types of asthma; extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic asthma is induced by factors outside the body such as pollen, animal fur, outdoor air pollution, mold spores etc, Intrinsic asthma occurs a result of things like hormone changes, stress, fatigue, and environmental changes like heat and humidity or strong chemical household cleaners etc. Breathing with the technique I use (Alchemy of Breath Conscious Connected Breath) helps alleviate the inflammation in the airways that occurs as a result of an asthmatic episode or tendency, and therefore can support the body to learn how to breathe more fully. I recommend a more gentle approach in my sessions in this case.

Yes! Often people come to my sessions who may have experienced or still be experiencing panic attacks and anxiety. What commonly happens is that as we oxygenate the system, the tingling which may be felt in the extremities and the cramping one can often feel in the hands (tetany) or around the mouth, may feel similar to the onset of a panic episode. By gently encouraging and reassuring you the this is actually only occurring as a result of the changes happening in your biology, via the oxygenated blood and cells, people commonly breathe ‘through’ the sensation or fear of panic, and once that happened, frequently report feeling much more in control of, and aware of what’s happening in other triggering situations. So, the breath helps your body create a new memory of safety in symptomatic somatic responses to panic attack onset, which then means you feel much more in control of your thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Many people have experienced some form of shock or trauma in their lives, to a greater or lesser degree. Breathwork helps us visit these places of stored trauma and release them for recovery and repair. Whilst there can be a stage of awareness of the original trauma which is not easy to be with when we purely and simply focus on the breath, this inevitably moves and changes, commonly resulting in feelings of lightness and relief afterward. As with anything which shines a light into our more difficult places, it’s good to know you have support systems in place to help you process what you reveal. Although it’s not necessary that you have done a lot of personal growth work, some awareness is most definitely helpful and advised.

Breathwork is a dynamic process. As my teacher Anthony says, it’s breath”work” not breath rest, or breath nap, but work! People naturally begin to release hidden trauma, trauma which may have originally had a release sound suppressed, so it’s important not to re-press that innate desire to express the feeling back down. We guide you through all of the things you may expect and experience in the ‘frame’ of our breathing sessions, and so you will be fully prepared for what you may expect. It’s often ecstatic releasing too by the way…it’s not all gloomy or tough!

You should wear loose, comfortable clothing which is ideally layered to allow you to regulate body temperature. When we breathe this way, there should be no restrictions around the throat, neck, thoracic chest and rib cage (avoid underwires ladies!), belly, abdomen and waist. Think loose elasticated waistbands and this is the one time that’s cool! The body temperature can fluctuate wildly in breathwork sessions so taking care of yourself in advance is good. As oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream to bind with the iron it finds there, oxyhemoglobin is formed and the core body temperature can drop slightly, as there is a natural cooling response in the body to prevent over-heating. This means people can often feel chilly in parts of a breathwork session. We really are amazing systems of symbiosis!
It helps to bring water to stay hydrated (though we don’t usually keep drinking during a session as too much water can feel uncomfortable), and a journal and pen in case you want to capture any important insights; we often forget after the moment has passed.