How to prepare for breathwork & what to expect
1.
Set up your space beforehand. Be prepared to lie down during the breathwork. Sitting up is ok if you don’t want to lie down. An optional bolster or pillow under your knees can boost your comfort. It is not recommended to stand or get up during the breathwork, so make sure you are settled in your space, door closed, family/roommates know not to disturb you. Have blankets and water handy. Set up the camera so your torso can be visible during the session. You'll also want to have an eye covering, mask, pillow, or turn the lights off. It's best not to eat for an hour or two before the breathwork.
2.
The breathing is done through the mouth. It's a 3 step breath: Two inhales to one exhale. The first breath (80%) into the belly, and second breath (20%) into the chest, and exhale quickly. Don't hold the breath at any point, keep the air moving continuously. I'll go over this again before we begin.
3.
Aside from feelings of joy, bliss, feeling connected and oneness, you might have some other sensations. Don't worry! These things are all temporary and are under your control. All you have to do is slow down your breathing. You can slow down your breathing at any time, then once you feel comfortable, pick it back up. You can do this multiple times throughout a session. Things you may experience:
Tetany- Your hands, feet, face, etc may tighten up and feel like they are cramping. This is normal and will go away. If it becomes unpleasant, simply slow down the breath.
Dizziness/lightheadedness- This is a normal response to the breathwork. Do not get up during the beathing, as it will make the dizziness worse. If it becomes uncomfortable, simply slow down the breath.
Changes in temperature- You may experience feeling very cold or very hot. It's a physiological response to the emotional release. Keep blankets nearby just in case.
4.
The session will last approximately an hour and a half. I will do an introduction/grounding in the beginning, and get connected with the participants, for about 15-20 minutes. I will play music throughout that will help guide the experience. There will be about 30-35 minute of active breathing, followed by 5-10 minutes of rest. During one of the songs, there will be an invitation to release with a primal scream. Keep a pillow on hand to muffle your voice if you choose to scream!
5.
Precautions: Breathwork can cause intense emotional release. It is not advisable to participate if you have cardiovascular disease, including angina or heart attack, high blood pressure, glaucoma, retinal detachment, osteoporosis, significant recent physical injuries or surgery.
Breathwork is not advised for persons with severe mental illness or seizure disorders or for persons using major medications. It is also unsuitable for anyone with a personal or family history of aneurysms. Pregnant women are advised against practicing breathwork without first consulting and getting approval from their primary care physician. Persons with asthma should have their inhaler handy and consult with their primary care physician.
6.
Be gentle with yourself after a session. Allow time to integrate, journal, drink plenty of water or tea, and eat nourishing foods. Each experience is different, and you may have a completely different experience each time. It is important to release expectations and know that all experiences are ok. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions.
