Breathing for Body & Mind

Focusing on the Breath: Extensive Benefits

Breathing affects every system in the body. And although it’s considered part of the autonomic nervous system (the parts of your nervous system that you do not consciously have to control), breathing can be controlled at will.

Your breath can be a POWERFUL ally.

Research shows there is a direct connection between breathing patterns and emotions. This means that your emotions can affect how fast or slow you breathe, how deep or how shallow; but this also means the opposite is true: your breath can affect your emotions.

For this reason, breathing techniques have been around for centuries. Some common terms you might here in today’s world are “Breathwork” and “Pranayama.” These methods of dropping into your body and controlling your breath can have significant benefits for both your body and mind.

Breathing techniques are associated with stress management, pain relief and improved
posture.

CONSCIOUSLY CHANGING THE BREATH LEADS TO BIG CHANGES

Your breath is part of a stress or pain response that is the easiest to consciously change. There is no
way to consciously block the transmission of a pain signal from one brain cell to another or ask your
adrenal glands to stop releasing stress hormones. You can, however, easily learn to slow down or
deepen your breath… Small changes in your breathing can lead to big changes in how the mind and
body function, including lowering stress hormones and reducing your sensitivity to pain.

– Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Effects of Restricted Breathing

Poor breathing can lead to:

• Neck and shoulder pain
• Difficulty in concentration and memory
• Worsening of depression
• Increase in blood pressure and anxiety
• Exacerbation of chronic pain
• Lower energy
• Digestive issues

Vs. Natural Breathing

Natural breathing is associated with an expansion and contraction of the mid-body as the
diaphragm moves. Natural breathing and simple breathing techniques have such positive effects as the following:

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system
• Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
• Promotes good digestion
• Supports posture
• Promotes health of the back and the pelvic floor
• Supports the lymphatic system
• Balances acidity
• Lowers inflammation
• Helps to manage stress
• Helps to relieve pain

For this reason learning to breathe with intention, trying out different breathing techniques, and even just making sure you are breathing, can all change your the way you’re living your life. It makes “Breathwork” or “Pranayama” an excellent path to explore for anyone who is stressed, nervous, anxious, depressed, afraid, and/or feeling unsafe.

This is also why we include breathing techniques in all of our coaching programs and self-defense classes, because survivors of trauma, abuse, and assault are often stuck in their fight/flight sympathetic nervous system and they don’t know how to jumpstart feeling safe and grounded.

How We Can Help

We believe that a person’s entire system needs to be included in the education and training, when learning to protect one’s self. After all, the entire person interacts as a whole when faced with stressful or traumatic experiences.

​Because of this, we combine a unique blend of Krav Maga, with knowledge from many other realms of Health and Wellness, including:

• Empowerment Coaching
• Collaborative Learning
• Breathwork (Pranayama)
• Training the Central Nervous System (fight/flight/freeze response)
• Mindfulness Techniques
• Body Mind Education and Connection
• Downloadable Meditations

Feel free to reach out with any questions, or

Schedule Your Free Consultation Call

How a psychologist can help

If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consult with a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional who can help you learn how to control your stressful emotions. He or she can help you identify problem areas and then develop an action plan for changing them.

**Disclosure: This blog is not meant to be a replacement for professional/licensed therapy.

Many people enjoy the DIY of mental health, but almost everyone needs support at one time or another, and no one should feel alone in their pain.

While almost anything can be found on the internet, if you’re in need of professional help do not hesitate to contact a licensed therapist.