As a nurse, some of the most profound and humbling experiences I've witnessed have unfolded within the realm of end-of-life care. Witnessing the transition from life to death, I've seen firsthand the complex tapestry of emotions that both patients and their families navigate. There's often a whirlwind of mixed messages from healthcare providers, understandable anxieties, feelings of helplessness, and uncertainties, and a deep longing for peace and understanding.

In our in-person breathwork sessions, we've witnessed the incredible power of conscious connected breathing to facilitate deep healing and transformation. These three-hour journeys are carefully crafted to create a safe and sacred container for exploration and growth. Recently, a participant inquired about the allocation of time in our sessions, specifically wondering about the "other two hours" beyond the dedicated breathwork practice. Oh right, rookie mistake! While we intuitively understand the importance of a well-structured and thoughtfully framed session, we might not have explicitly conveyed its significance to our community.

Breaking the ice is an ice breaker for activity. You will notice the shock on the body here with the volume of my breathing being very noticeable. I tried to revert early to nasal breathing.

But why bother of you're comfortable in breathing through your mouth? Well here are a few facts to mull over.

Have you noticed that when you put the kettle on you are thinking about other things?

It's such an automatic activity that you do it without thinking, leaving your mind free to wander as it will.

And usually your mind goes to your to-do list, decision making, thinking about the next thing, or even going to do the thing you can do in the two minutes it takes for the kettle to boil.

And it's because you're wired that way! The more you get done in a day, the more you can relax knowing you have done your best and been productive.

When the New Year started, I made a resolution like many others—mine was to live more in the present moment. It felt like the right move after spending years healing from my past.

I used to let my past experiences shape my present and future. I carried them with me, sometimes without even realizing it. But after a lot of healing, I finally felt free, ready to move forward without the baggage of the past holding me down.

If I'm honest, when I first finished my yoga teacher training, I felt a bit disillusioned. I expected to emerge knowing everything there was to know about yoga. It took me a while to realise that the training was just a foundation, a starting point. The real learning came from practice, from exploring different styles, and discovering the areas I was truly passionate about – like yin and restorative yoga.

And it's the same with breathwork. The initial training provides you with essential tools and knowledge, but the journey of learning and growth doesn't end there. The world of breathwork is constantly evolving. New research emerges, fresh techniques are developed, and the understanding of the mind-body connection deepens. To truly serve your clients and continue growing as a facilitator, continued education isn't just a good idea - it's essential.

As a breathwork facilitator, you have the power to transform lives through the simple act of conscious breathing. But did you know that you can further specialize your practice and reach a wider audience by tailoring your offerings to specific niches? By focusing on a particular area of expertise, you can not only deepen your impact but also attract clients who are specifically seeking your unique skills and knowledge.

My reason for training as a facilitator goes right back to birth. I was born blue and not breathing. I was taken away by doctors for around 10 minutes. My mum was delirious and unsure what they did, but on returning I was able to take my first breath and the blue colour faded.

During my childhood and for the first 14 years of my life I had serious breathing issues. I couldn’t breathe through my nose at all. I was asthmatic and needed an inhaler. I suffered from severe snoring and sleep apnea. I would breathe loudly and was teased about it relentlessly at school.