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BREATHWORK THERAPY FACTFILE

Fact:  Sometimes referred to as ‘conscious connected breathing’
Founded:  1970s – Basics derived from the two practitioners below:
Leonard Orr (Rebirthing-Breathwork) / Stanislav Grof (Holotropic Breathwork)
Origin:  America/Czechoslovakia
Therapy Type:  Mind-Body

Breathwork therapy heightens the client’s awareness and connection to their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual energy.  The essence of Breathwork emphasizes the areas in which energy has become sluggish or blocked, which has been caused by a lack of oxygen reaching those energy forces, or ‘chi’ as otherwise known.  Breathwork therapy focuses on the releasing such obstructions by raising the oxygen levels to the affected areas.

Shallow breathing is common among many people, however the majority of those individuals are unaware of the effects.  For example, shallow breathing for women may culminate in issues related to the reproductive organs.  The ability of breathing properly enables the internal organs to obtain essential massage, which in turn stimulates the circulation of the blood around the body.

The way in which a person breathes is a fascinating insight into the way they carry out their daily life.  Breathwork therapy works the body from within, similar to how physical exercise works the body from the outside, even though the body is in a deep sense of relaxation.  This therapy instead of fuelling the muscles like an aerobic workout, the increase in energy that occurs gets directed to different parts of the body that require balance.

Breathwork therapy may benefit the following physical and mental conditions:

Abdominal Pain/Cramps                  Aching/Stiff Limbs                       Anxiety/Panic Attacks          Apathy   Back Pain                  Chest Pain                       Chronic Cough              Chronic Pain               Circulation Problems                       Confusion/Disorientation Congestion            Depression                  Emotional Stress/Relationship Problems                  Grief/Loss                    Headaches                       Hiccoughs/Hiccups          Hormonal Imbalances

Hypertension Immune System Deficiency (ISD) HIV                       Hyperhidrosis/Excessive Sweating Insomnia Irregular Heartbeats Light headedness/Dizziness Low Self Esteem Nausea Numbness Pain (Joint/Upper Back) Poor Memory Pregnancy Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Seizures Sinusitis Shivering/Sweating Trembling/Twitching

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM BREATHWORK THERAPY SESSIONS

At the beginning of your session there will be time to discuss and share any concerns or circumstances, past or present, within your life, which may have influence over your current overall health status.  The actual breathing process will then take place, usually with the client lying down, this can last for 30-90 minutes.  Finally the most important part of your session, the summary, which encourages the client to reflect upon past experiences, to discuss any questions with the therapist and to make the connection from their session to their everyday life.

The Breathwork sessions can be one-to-one or group based.  The practitioner will sit beside you during the breathing process to support and maintain a quietness of mind, enable the individual to focus on their breathing and to have acknowledgement of any word, memory, image or bodily sensations that are present.  When an individual is supported and guided into breathing properly and into a part of their body that is mostly inactive, the client can become aware of many different and new sensations, ranging from emotional feelings, a deeper consciousness of their physical body, they may also feel a sense of a spiritual presence, or commonly a combination of these feelings.

FINDING A QUALIFIED BREATHWORK THERAPIST

It is wise to carry out some research and select a therapist who is either a member of, or accredited by, an association or professional body such as the NZ Breathwork Association.  Breathwork Therapists are obligated to a code of ethics and procedure that determines the therapy is carried out in a suitable and safe environment.  These regulations also guarantee a specialist who has undergone certifiable training and receives professional upskilling. 

The Wellness Directory provides a ready-made referral list of certified practitioners within your region.  We fully encourage you to do some independent research by checking out individual credentials, i.e. experience, training, qualifications, relevant client feedback and so forth.

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