The Healing Power of Breath

Have you ever thought about how you breathe on a day to basis? For many it is something that is taken for granted, and yet along with movement, it is the basis of life. We need to breathe to live, and how we breath, directly impacts our overall well-being, both physically and mentally.

The Nervous System and Breath

Our nervous system plays a vital role in regulating various bodily functions and maintaining overall well-being. However, the grind of daily life can often leave it overwhelmed, leading to imbalances and health issues. One simple yet powerful technique to restore the optimal flexibility of the nervous system and promote healing from within is through the practice of gentle slow deep breathing.

Our breath and our Autonomic Nervous System (which is the part of our Nervous System that drives our survival stress responses), are directly linked. This means that when we use a specific type of conscious breath called a parasympathetic breath, we have the ability to directly influence the state of our Automatic Nervous System. Using breath in this way can not only positively influence our experience in the moment, but with consistent practise, it can gradually alter the pattern of our baseline responses- our autonomic story. This shift has the potential to permanently transform the way we relate.

A Parasympathetic Breath

Deep breathing involves taking gentle, slow, conscious connected breaths, allowing the diaphragm to fully expand and contract. By consciously engaging in this practice we can activate the body's parasympathetic response, which downregulates the our body's autonomic state and promotes a sense of deep relaxation.

As part of this process several physiological changes occur within our body. Firstly, it stimulates the Vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for rest, recovery and relaxation. Activating the Vagus nerve helps to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion, promoting a state of internal balance and harmony. It also increases the oxygen supply to our cells, improving their functioning and enhancing the body's ability to produce energy which supports overall vitality. This specific type of breathing can also encourage the release of endorphins, our body's natural painkillers and can aid the body in its healing process.

Using a Parasympathetic Breath with Intentions

When we use this type of breath with an intention of how we would prefer something to be, for example a situation we are struggling with, or how we would prefer to feel within ourselves, it has the potential to work through our inner landscape; our emotions, beliefs and the stories we hold on a body (somatic) level. Working in this way can, over time, integrate stored stress points, expand our capacity to be with out full spectrum of emotions, support emotional and physical healing, cultivate a deeper connection with our intuition and creativity, and create a more harmonious and balanced existence.

Making it a Conscious Practice

Consistency is key when it comes to experiencing the benefits of parasympathetic breathwork. By making it a conscious practice and a part of your day, you can gradually return your nervous system to its optimal flexibility where it will be able to respond most effectively to your environment.

This type of breath is safe and able to be used by most people, however, as with starting anything new, best practice is to find a trained practitioner to guide you in your process and hold space for you to debrief your experience. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can use your breath as part of your personal healing and growth, I invite you to click the link below where you can get in touch to schedule your free 15 minute call with me.