About Breathwork
Breathwork is the main modality we use to guide you towards your divine radiance.
A brief history
Ancient Tradition
Qi, prana, pneuma, ruach, anima, ha, ki, life force, breath. Since the beginning of time, humans have had a special relationship and connection with breath. Native and ancient cultures from eastern to western traditions have used the breath to celebrate life, connect spiritually, and obtain health and wellness benefit.
Modern Practice
Today, breathwork is still practiced with similar objectives and continues to grow. In the sixties, breathwork evolved through the research of Dr. Stansilav Grof and his late wife, Christina Grof, who discovered Holotropic Breathwork, a style of conscious breathing that taps into non-ordinary states of consciousness to achieve immense healing.
Later, Linda Star Wolf, developed Shamanic* Breathwork, combining what she learned from the Grofs and other breathwork visionaries (namely, Jacquelyn Small and Leonard Orr) with spiritual teachings of Native American Elder of the Seneca Nation tribe, Grandmother Twylah. Shamanic Breathwork differs slightly in that it incorporates the elements (earth, fire, water, air, spirit) and emphasizes the spiral path of transformation for personal and spiritual growth. Over the last 50 years, breathwork has expanded in many directions. While each of the modern breathwork practices have their unique flairs, all are active meditations drawing upon ancient wisdom to achieve physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. In recent years, breathwork has since resurfaced in popularity and is even referred to as the ‘new yoga.’
*Note: There are many uses of the word ‘Shamanic’ since its origins. Traditionally Shamans were known as the healers of their tribe. Here we refer to ‘Shamanic’ to symbolize the inner healer within all of us that is accessible through the breath.
How it works
Shamanic Breathwork journeys combine ancient and modern breathwork practices to take you on a mystical, musical journey led by breath. We guide journeyers through a somatic experience, tapping into the subconscious mind to gain wisdom and insights, access repressed emotions, release stuck energy, and regulate the nervous system. To begin, journeyers close their eyes and are guided to breathe in a circular rhythmic pattern. During the session, music is carefully chosen for vibrational frequencies of each chakra. Starting from the root chakra and moving up to the crown, one can have a range of experiences while in a dream-like state where alpha and theta waves are most present. Since our subconscious mind usually speaks to us in symbols, upon waking, the group is prompted to create mandalas, using colors, drawings, and/or words to integrate the session. This is a sacred practice that connects one with their inner light and illuminates the path of authenticity and alignment.
The research
While the psycho-spiritual benefits are clear, researchers are just starting to understand and formally study breathwork and its impact on mental health, stress, and nervous system regulation.
Nature recently published a meta-analysis scientific study that found breathwork to improve stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in patients.
Other studies found participants had an increased level of self-awareness, improved mental condition, and neuropsychological benefits.
Case studies report the following benefits:
Improved self-awareness
Increased heart-rate variability
Regulated autonomic nervous system
Improved cardiovascular and respiratory function
Relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, PTSD
Improved sleep
Enhanced creativity
Increased spiritual connection
Sense of belonging and inner peace
What the visionaries have to say about breathwork.