Breathwork: The Key to a Better Self
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Andrew Seymour is presenting a 6 workshop series :
Breathwork is the practice of consciously controlling your breath in order to improve your physical and mental health. It is a simple yet powerful tool that can be used to reduce stress, improve sleep, boost athletic performance, and enhance your overall well-being.
How Breathwork Works
When we breathe quickly and shallowly, we activate our sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including increased heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones.
Breathwork, on the other hand, can help to calm the body and mind by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation. This can lead to a number of benefits, including:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep
- Increased energy levels
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Improved mental clarity, alertness
- Increased self-awareness
Breathwork for Better Sleep
When we are stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol, a stress hormone that can interfere with sleep. Breathwork can help to reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation, which can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
One study found that people who practiced breathwork for 20 minutes before bed reported better sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia.
Breathwork for Better Performance
Breathwork can also help to improve athletic performance. When we breathe deeply and slowly, we increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to our muscles. This can help us to perform at our best during exercise.
A study of elite swimmers found that those who practiced breathwork for 10 minutes before swimming had improved performance times.
Breathwork for Better Breathing
Many people breathe incorrectly, which can contribute to a number of health problems, including Asthma, COPD, and infections. Breathwork can help to improve your breathing pattern and teach you how to breathe more deeply and efficiently.
This can help to reduce stress, improve circulation, and boost your energy levels.
Breathwork for Better Mental Clarity
Breathwork can also help to improve your mental clarity and focus. ADHD, anxiousness and mood disorders can all respond with changes to our physiology, in particular blood chemistry and our Autonomic nervous system. When we consciously breathe we can alter the blood chemistry and neural pathways. This can help us to think more clearly and make better decisions.
A study of college students found that those who practiced breathwork for 15 minutes a day for 4 weeks had improved cognitive function and memory.
Breathwork for a Better Self
Breathwork can help you to connect with your true self and live a more authentic life. When we breathe deeply and slowly, we become more aware of our bodies and minds. This can help us to let go of negative thoughts and emotions and embrace our true nature. We then find we can present ourselves at our best, engage fully, as our authentic self
A study of people with anxiety disorders found that those who practiced breathwork for 30 minutes a day for 8 weeks had significantly reduced anxiety symptoms.
In Summary
Breathwork is a powerful tool that can be used to improve your physical and mental health. It is a simple and easy practice that can be done anywhere, at any time. If you are looking for a way to reduce stress, improve sleep, boost your energy levels, and enhance your overall well-being, then breathwork is a great place to start.
6-Session Breathwork Series
Andrew Seymour presents a 6-session breathwork series called “Breathwork and Your Better Self.” This series brings science and experience to explore the many benefits of breathwork and how it can help you to achieve your goals in the areas of better sleep, better performance, better breathing, and better mind.
The series will include the following sessions:
- Session 1: Introduction to Breathwork
- Session 2: Breathwork for Better Sleep
- Session 3: Breathwork for Better Performance
- Session 4: Breathwork for Better Breathing
- Session 5: Breathwork for Better Mind
- Session 6: Being my best self
If you are interested in learning more about breathwork and how it can help you to achieve your goals, then I encourage you to sign up for this series.
Scientific References
- The Effects of Breathwork on Sleep Quality in Adults with Insomnia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29623237/
- The Effect of Breathwork Training on Athletic Performance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28904125/
- The Effects of Breathwork on Breathing Pattern and Oxygenation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29941988/