Breathwork… what is it?
About breathwork
Breathwork is an intentional practice that uses controlled, rhythmic breathing techniques to transform and uplift mental, physical, and emotional well-being. While breathing is something we do instinctively, consciously engaging with our breath can help us reconnect to ourselves on a deeper level. Breathwork is known for its capacity to release stored emotions, overcome limiting beliefs, and reset old patterns that may hold us back.
In essence, breathwork takes us beyond our conscious mind, tapping into the subconscious to unlock inner healing and growth. This practice goes beyond a simple wellness technique—it’s a profound journey that aligns us with our natural healing abilities and brings us into a state of presence.
Combining naturopathy with breathwork creates a holistic approach to well-being by addressing both physical health and emotional balance. While naturopathy supports the body’s natural healing processes through lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal remedies, breathwork adds a powerful tool to calm the nervous system, release emotional tension, and deepen mind-body connection. Together, they provide a comprehensive path to resilience, harmony, and a balanced lifestyle.
How Breathwork Works
Our breath is deeply connected to the nervous system, which plays a central role in our physical responses, emotional reactions, and mental clarity. By consciously modifying our breath, we can shift our nervous system’s state and significantly impact how we feel and respond to life.
There are various types of breathwork techniques, each offering distinct benefits. Here’s an overview of the two main branches:
Slow, Deep Breathing: Techniques that involve slow, deep breaths activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that encourages relaxation and restoration. This helps to calm the mind, reduce stress, and bring us back into balance. Practices like diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing help us reach this state, making it easier to unwind, restore, and enter a state of deep relaxation.
Faster, Intense Breathing: Techniques that use quicker, more intense breathing stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” response. Unlike the stress we experience in everyday life, this controlled stress can actually release tension and facilitate cathartic emotional releases. Techniques like holotropic and transformational breathwork use this faster-paced approach to help participants experience a deep sense of release, clarity, and renewal.
Benefits of breathwork
Breathwork offers a wide range of benefits, helping you manage emotions, improve your overall health, and cultivate a deeper sense of self. Here are just a few of the powerful effects of breathwork:
Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
Helps break cycles of negative thinking and behaviour patterns
Increases feelings of self-love, gratitude, and joy
Encourages a sense of connection and safety within your body
Supports the release of unprocessed emotions and trauma
Offers new perspectives and boosts energy levels
Improves sleep quality and blood circulation
Balances blood pH, lowers blood pressure, and boosts immunity and digestion
Helps clear out toxins, with 70% of waste released through the breath
Slows brainwave states from beta to alpha/theta, promoting deep rest and access to altered states of consciousness
Breathwork at Innate Naturopathy
At Innate Naturopathy, we believe in the power of breath as a gateway to healing and transformation. Our 60-minute tailored breathwork sessions are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, release stored emotions, and bring you into alignment with your natural state of balance. Whether you’re new to breathwork or looking to deepen your practice, our sessions provide a safe, supportive space to experience the profound benefits of breathwork firsthand.
Breathwork is more than just a wellness practice—it’s a path to reconnect with yourself, foster resilience, and tap into a well of inner peace and strength. Ready to start your journey? Reach out to learn more or book a session, and discover how breathwork can help you come home to yourself.