I remember walking in to my first yoga class, feeling totally broken and going through a painful divorce. At the end of the class during savasana, they came around and massaged everyone’s neck with a cooling gel that had peppermint and lavender. It was HEAVEN. I hadn’t realized how healing the combination of aromatherapy and touch were. I know that’s controversial (the touch and scent during savasana, not the power of them!). But what happens when we combine the potent effects of scent with the transformative practice of breathwork?

What brought me here? I feel this can be such a loaded question…Where do I start.

Well to really tell why I am here, I need to give you some back story to my life. In a nutshell, how I found breathwork was by having a lot of events happen in my life, that I didn’t know how to deal with.

This all came to a head about 5 years ago, when I started going though a divorce from the father of my children.

Breathwork's popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and it seems like everyone's offering an online course these days. While it's wonderful to see this ancient practice gaining recognition, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. With so many courses vying for your attention, it can be hard to know where to start.

How do you choose a course that's right for you? One that aligns with your goals, learning style, and budget? One that's led by a qualified facilitator who understands the nuances of breathwork and can guide you safely on your journey?

I recently came across a comment online that said "nervous system regulation is just new-age bullshit." As both a nurse and a breathwork business owner it got my back up and it got me thinking about how much we underestimate the power of our own breath and our ability to influence our body.

The truth is, our breath and our bodies are deeply connected. It's not just about staying alive; it's about how we feel, think, and experience the world. Our breath is a mirror reflecting our inner state, and it's also a bridge connecting our mind and body.

Most of my adult life was spent drinking and using drugs, not knowing how else to deal with my thoughts and feelings. The drinking and drug use got worse after my partner left in 2016. A prolonged period of bullying at work also contributed to a breakdown in 2017. I was convinced that I couldn't be helped and even said to my brother once “no one can help me Johnny, I'm too far gone”. I felt I was left with two simple choices; take my own life or ask for help. I asked for help and that was the beginning of my healing and getting to know myself, and who I really am.

Neuroception, an idea rooted in Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, offers a framework for understanding how our nervous system unconsciously assesses safety and threat in our environment, shaping our physiological and behavioural responses. The interplay between our nervous system and our perception of the world has huge implications for how we experience the world and how we respond to breathwork practices.

Breathwork classes and workshops seem to be popping up everywhere lately. From trendy city studios to peaceful online retreats, it feels like everyone's talking about the power of conscious breathing. And with this newfound popularity come some pretty big promises – less stress, healed trauma, even a deeper spiritual connection. It's exciting to see breathwork getting attention, but it's important to be realistic too. Some of these claims might be a little too good to be true, and it can be hard to know what to believe, especially when you are first starting off.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jennifer Kitzman

For the past several months, I have been toggling between two roles: student and teacher. I have been a student in a year long Breathwork Facilitator training program and at the same time, I have been a Teacher Trainer for S Factor, a feminine movement practice I have been involved with for over ten years.