Breathwork: The Hidden Switch

The Ancient Art and Modern Science of Breathwork for Instant Stress Relief

I still vividly remember the first time breathwork cracked me open.

It wasn’t in a serene yoga class or a tranquil retreat. It was on the carpeted floor of a hotel conference room in Tenerife, at a business event. I hadn’t expected deep emotional breakthroughs in such a corporate setting, but no one can have a breakthrough while holding on to old pieces of themselves.

Yet, there I was, surrounded by strangers, deep into a guided breathwork journey that lasted just one hour, and that shocked me. I couldn’t believe how transformational it was.

At first, scepticism kicked in. I've meditated, taught yoga, and delved deep into mindset work, but breathwork felt different. Almost too simple to be transformative.

Then the facilitator said something that struck me profoundly:

"Breathe into your tummy—that switches on the parasympathetic nervous system."

This sentence landed like lightning. Because in that moment, I realised I had never truly breathed into my belly before.

My whole life, I'd been breathing in my chest.

Shallow. Fast. Tense.

Constantly stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Being conscious of my waistline, like women squeezed into corsets by societal pressures, I hadn't even noticed.

That single breathwork journey unlocked a rage I didn't know I carried. Tears flowed, my body shook, years of buried tension unravelled, not through words, but purely through my breath.

A Path I Didn’t See Coming...

I knew I'd tapped into something extraordinary when I was in Tenerife.

Later, on a journey to Japan, breathwork found me again - this time softer and deeper. It was there that I met my teacher, the guide who eventually led me into formal training.

Then Mexico happened. It wasn't just another breathwork session, but a full immersion into facilitator training, an initiation into the sacred, somatic art of guiding others to profound healing.

By then, I'd cried, screamed, exhaled, and reclaimed pieces of myself hidden beneath layers of chronic tension, over-achieving, suppressing, and people-pleasing.

I didn't choose breathwork.

Breathwork chose me.

And I said yes.

Breathwork, the hidden switch. It isn’t just Spiritual. It’s Biological

Here’s what many don’t realise:

Your breath is the remote control for your nervous system.

Yet most people unknowingly keep pressing the panic button.

• Mouth breathing bypasses the natural filtration system of the nose and signals to the brain that you're under stress.

• Chest breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system associated with fight or flight.

• Nasal, diaphragmatic breathing, on the other hand, engages the parasympathetic nervous system—our rest and digest state—promoting calm, digestion, and regeneration.

James Nestor, in his book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, explains how chronic over-breathing, especially through the mouth, contributes to anxiety, sleep disorders, and inflammation. Conversely, proper nasal breathing can increase nitric oxide production, which helps regulate blood pressure, improves oxygen uptake, and strengthens immune defence.

Full Yogic Breath: The Forgotten Art of Breathing Fully

A full yogic breath involves three parts:

1. Abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing – where the belly expands with the inhale. This allows the diaphragm to fully descend, massaging internal organs and drawing air into the lower lungs.

2. Thoracic (rib cage) breathing – expansion through the ribs.

3. Clavicular (upper chest) breathing – the collarbones gently lift.

   
   

When all three parts are connected and done consciously, the result is a full, deep breath that oxygenates the body, regulates the nervous system, and fosters mental clarity.

This is not the breath of a stressed woman hustling through her day, this is the breath of a calm, sovereign woman deeply connected to her body.

My go-to Breathwork Tools (with Deeper Science)

You don’t need hours to reset. Even just 2–5 minutes can transform your state:

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)

Inhale for 4 | Hold for 4 | Exhale for 4 | Hold for 4

Used by Navy SEALs and recommended for stress regulation, box breathing helps slow the heart rate, reduce cortisol, and anchor your awareness into the present moment.

4-7-8 Breath

Inhale for 4 | Hold for 7 | Exhale for 8

This technique, developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, extends the exhale to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The longer you exhale is key—it stimulates the vagus nerve, which plays a vital role in calming the brain, lowering blood pressure, and easing anxiety.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

Inhale left → Exhale right → Inhale right → Exhale left

Traditionally practised in yoga, this breath balances both hemispheres of the brain. Modern EEG studies show that nostril dominance affects cognitive performance—left nostril stimulates the right brain (creative), right nostril stimulates the left brain (analytical). Regular practice enhances clarity, focus, and emotional equilibrium.

Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati)

Rapid, rhythmic, short exhalations through the nose while the inhale is passive. Kapalabhati increases oxygen supply, detoxifies the lungs, and activates the solar plexus. It’s energising, helping combat fatigue and awaken latent energy. Not suitable for pregnancy or during menstruation.

Breath: Your Instant Reset Button

I share this because I've lived it—burnout, chronic stress, and the transformative alchemy of reconnecting to my breath.

No supplements, screens, or distractions.

Just your breath and the authentic you beneath the noise.

Ready to Experience It Yourself?

I've created a free breathwork video on YouTube to help you reset in real-time. These are the exact tools I’ve used and now share with my clients. Watch the video

Final Words: Every Breath is a Choice

We talk about healing, alignment, intuition—but none of it lands unless your nervous system feels safe.

This is why starting an online business isn't just about financial freedom. No one is truly free until they are mentally free. Maybe I would find this way, but today I am so grateful to take control of my life and leap into entrepreneurship.

Your breath is the key.

And the best part? You don’t need permission, a certificate, or even a yoga mat.

You need to pause...

…and breathe into your belly.

Breathwork is included in my NSA (Neuro Somatic Attunement) sessions to help clients connect with the subconscious, hidden parts of themselves, release old patterns, release emotional imprints, and begin re-writing a more powerful, conscious future.

If you're feeling stuck, caught in cycles of self-sabotage, unable to move forward, or even struggling with physical pain or emotional stagnation, this work can create a breakthrough.

Book a free 30-minute consultation to see how I can support you on your journey back to yourself.

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