Radical Breathing
A few years ago, around this time I was at a hard place. I had ended a pioneering career in one field and had moved from the Caribbean to Europe pursuing an MA in a completely different field. My business partner (who’d enthusiastically encouraged the move) cut me off, I had bills I couldn’t pay, school felt impossible and I was floundering. I returned home to Trinidad feeling thoroughly defeated. Over the next months, we had a series of illnesses and deaths in our family. By the time the pandemic hit and I was sheltering in place in Trinidad I didn’t have a clue as to what could possibly be next.
Evolution, life re-arrangements and inner journeys.
I wouldn’t have called it that at the time, but I embarked on an inner journey. To me, I was just trying to feel less overwhelmed, stuck and hopeless. Over time I realised I was on a quest, figuring my life out (It took me a while, very smart, also often clueless over here). I deepened the breathwork practice I’d started as part of practising yoga. Little did I know that this was the practice that would change everything. I began practising mindful breathing daily and explored breathwork further. I delved into various breathwork techniques, attending workshops, seminars, and becoming certified as a Breathwork Facilitator (after turning down a training opportunity with another school because I didn’t want a guru). Getting certified felt like a miracle, because we were in lockdown, our borders were closed and I was flat broke.
Breath is a sail, breath is a bridge.
The more I immersed myself in the ART and Science of Breathing, the more I realised the tremendous impact breathwork has, moment to moment. Breathwork is more than just a tool for relaxation; it's a powerful gateway to self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. It allows us to let go of limiting beliefs, maladaptive behaviours and anything that does not serve. We tap into our innate wisdom and our capacity for self-healing. We gain clarity, balance and vitality. We’re going to breathe anyway, we might as well spend a few minutes a day paying attention to our breath - attending to what enlivens us in the present moment. It all starts with the breath.
When we’ve been conditioned to do what was needed - to do the “right things,” questions like “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” can be very confusing...if they arise. Have you done all the things “they” expected, succeeded in many ways and yet, when you look at your life and future you don’t feel excited? Is it too scary to even stop to look in the mirror? Answering the fundamental questions is revolutionary and liberating. Breath empowers the inquiry.
Slowing down to the pace of our nervous system's singular cadence.
If we slow down and listen, we give ourselves time to feel and remember. We can only take one breath at a time. We remember the things that lit us up, the things we were interested in, things we might not have made time for in months or years. We remember what feels exciting, what brings us joy. We remember our inspiration. My breathwork journey has supported me through grief, in despair and has helped me make space for making sense of what feels often like very puzzling places and times. I’ve learned that my breath is an indicator of my world and when I started exploring the landscape of my interior self, I started to make sense through breath, when my inner landscape was a foreign country. The breath itself is my inspiration. I breathe, therefore I am.
I believe our real work is in recognising our inspiration, following it to realise our personal mission and connecting with others doing the same. We cultivate practices that bring joy, ease and flow. We spend time with people and in places that nourish us. We connect with others in ways that are mutually beneficial. Then we extend well-being by deepening and strengthening healthy communities.
Every turn and twist was always leading me back to the breath.
I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be of service and to witness the profound impact breathwork can have on people's lives. Thank you all for being a part of my journey, and here's to a future of inspiration, growth, health, liberation and joy through the power of breath!
If you're curious about this transformative practice or would like to explore breathwork together, please don't hesitate to reach out!
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