How many times do we get told to “take a deep breath” or “just breathe”?
These are things that we tend to hear when we are struggling with something in our life. But is there anything in it?
Yes, there definitely is; I could spend time explaining how the exhale of our breath works wonders on switching on our parasympathetic nervous system (our rest and digest phase which overrides the sympathetic fight flight activity) or how focusing on our breath through counting numbers and imagining shapes can support mindful activity which also helps to calm our system; or the power of yogic breathing which along with stretching can be extremely powerful in calming the system, but I’m not going to do that!
I’d like to share a personal experience that I have had (all in the continued guise of supporting my clients as best that I can) with Alan Ball. Alan shares his own journey into breath work on his website.
I am always looking at ways that I can better my service to my clients and with many who are living with anorexia and other illnesses that limit their ability to move (undertake exercise, and in some cases be allowed to do anything that utilises energy) I have found myself fascinated by somatic therapies. In my day to day work I am constantly referring to the needs of the body and mind (nourishment, interaction, touch, breath) and frequently explain how our brain and our thinking can have a direct impact on our body; not only in how we feel but what we find that we can then, do or not do. We look at the difference between our left pre frontal cortex activity and that of the “primitive” mind (please see earlier blogs for a better understanding). But, the same can be said of our body. Hence the power of breath in having a significant impact on our mental activity. We know that the brain can communicate with our body and create physical responses but we also know that if we change our body (our posture for example) we can evoke a response in the brain. It’s one of the underlying practices behind NLP. (Neuro Linguistic Programming)
So, when life started to take an unexpected turn at the beginning of this year and I found myself experiencing prolonged anxiety I decided to do what all therapists should do and got myself help. (probably not as early as I should have but that’s the confession of a therapist speaking!) I started working with my wonderful supervisor having weekly solution focused hypnotherapy sessions and booked myself in for a 1-2-1 with Alan.
I had been following his work and was also curious to learn more in the hope that it may also be something that would be useful for my daughter who was having a tough time in her anorexia recovery. I was instantly put at ease when I arrived with the door being opened by Alan in shorts and bare feet (it was sub zero outside that day) and shown into a warm and cosy space that he was using for his private sessions. ( he also runs work shops at Hush Yoga in Horsham – which are equally good, I’ve been to those too). He spent time sharing his inspiring story and explained what we would be doing. The first thing that surprised me was that the practice involves a deep inhale through the mouth and a very short, almost whisper, of an exhale; the complete opposite of what I had always been told was beneficial from our breath as briefly explained above. Alan explained that I should think of it as allowing my body to reboot and rest allowing my body to rebalance and heal. Interestingly, although the breath technique was original and took some time to get right (they say its a practice don’t they? and it certainly is when we are learning something completely different and new) the practice supports the above understanding that abdominal breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn helps to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. (I have found that all of my clients who have been diagnosed with anorexia when they first come to see me, breath in the top of their chest, in a permanent state of fight and flight.)
Throughout the session Alan guides you to focus on each breath and your abdomen which helps to support a focused attention and meditative state (yes my mind did wander but that is entirely normal for us all). What I was not prepared for was the way that my body responded. Alan applied pressure to certain points on my body relating to specific energy points and was able to share with me at the end of the session periods within my life historically when I had experienced trauma and more recently, some of the stress that I carry. I found it fascinating how accurate he was. I felt emotional at times, with my legs also shaking as they released some of the tension that I was holding but at the end of the session which seemed to fly by I felt peace. Real peace. I didn’t want it to stop. It really was the most unique and wonderful feeling to experience. So much so, that I have returned to have more 1-2-1 sessions and attended a group class too. I now start my day with 10 minutes of connected breath every day to support my practice.
In any cases when clients first come to see me for help they are relieved that they do not have to speak about the problems in their life or their past, often painful pasts. We do however, spend time framing their preferred future and working towards positive goals. In true Solution Focused style I believe that my client has all the resources that they need to resolve their issues; I am the facilitator and supporter of their change. We discuss the small steps that they can take to regain control and move forward. The deep relaxation that we utilise to support their change is an important part of the work that we do together. In understanding their brain and meeting its needs they start to see positive progress. I am always looking for ways that will improve my offering to my clients and would personally recommend the work that Alan does. In helping to work with the body and mind in unison we can continue to relive past trauma and stress and work towards happier healthier futures together.
Breath work & breathing | Breatherapy
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