Discover the Power of Breathwork: A Gateway to Wellness and Mystical Experiences

Let’s explore what breathwork is and how it can help you.

What is Breathwork?

Breathwork means consciously changing the way you breathe. You might change the length, speed, or rhythm of your breaths, or try different patterns like removing pauses. Breathwork has been around for thousands of years, practised by ancient civilisations and spiritual traditions. You’ve probably heard of some of these, like Pranayama, Shamanic Breath, or the breathing practices in Buddhism.

My Journey with Breathwork

I started my breathwork journey over a decade ago as a cognitive hypnotherapist. I noticed that my clients' breathing changed when they talked about their problems. Curious, I attended a Transformational Breath workshop. At first, it felt a bit weird, but once I started breathing, I felt an incredible surge of energy through my whole body. I laughed, cried, and felt emotions I hadn’t accessed in years. That weekend changed my life.

Since then, I’ve travelled the world, learning from Dr. Judith Kravitz and other leading breathwork schools, and in 2014, I co-founded The Big Breath Company. After years of teaching Transformational Breath to thousands, I now offer on-demand workshops in a beautiful space in North London under The Breathwork Teachers. I also travel across London and the UK, bringing workshops to teams, groups, and student communities. Breathwork is my go-to therapy for stress, overwhelm, and personal growth.

The Science Behind Breathwork

Breathing deeply and rhythmically can stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system (this is the bit that switches on when you sleep), helping you relax and reduce stress. Shallow, rapid breathing, on the other hand, triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing stress and anxiety. So by consciously altering your breath, you can tap into your body’s natural ability to rebalance itself. How amazing is that, huh?

Benefits of Breathwork

• Stress Reduction: Calm your mind and body, reducing stress and promoting inner peace.
• Mental Clarity: Improve focus, concentration, and cognitive function by increasing oxygen flow to your brain.
• Emotional Healing: Release stored emotions and trauma, achieving greater emotional balance and resilience.
• Physical Health: Enhance lung capacity, boost immune function, and detoxify your body.
• Spiritual Growth: Deepen your spiritual connection and foster a sense of unity with yourself and the universe. Now you might not know what that is, but you will do once you engage with the practice.

How to Get Started with Breathwork

1. Find a Quiet Space: Choose a comfortable spot where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Choose a Technique: Start with a simple techniques like diaphragmatic breathing.
3. Set an Intention: Decide what you want to achieve with your breathwork session.
4. Practise Regularly: Aim to practise daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
5. Seek Guidance: Consider booking a breathing workshop or working with a certified facilitator for personalised guidance.

Conscious Connected Breathing

The technique I mostly use is Transformational Breath - which is a dynamic practice focusing on diaphragmatic breathing without pauses. This continuous breathing technique enhances the mind-body connection and promotes profound healing and transformation. It’s safe and effective, helping you reconnect with your diaphragm and reduce stress.

The Mystical Connection

One of the coolest things about Transformational Breath is its ability to evoke spiritual or mystical experiences. Many people report heightened states of consciousness, profound insights, and a deep sense of connection with the universe—without the need for psychedelics or other substances. I write about that further in another blog.

Start Your Breathwork Journey Today

Breathwork has been a life-changing journey for me, and it can be for you too. By incorporating Transformational Breath into your daily routine, you can achieve a new level of well-being, clarity, and connection. Start today, start small, just with a few conscious breaths and discover the profound impact it can have on your mind, body, and spirit.

Sarah Jons, founder of The Breathwork Teachers, helps people transform their physical, mental, and emotional health through breathwork. With nearly 25 years of experience working and living in student residences at the London School of Economics, Sarah understands the pressures students face. After overcoming personal challenges and working as a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and Life Coach, she discovered the power of breathwork in 2012. In 2014, she co-founded The Big Breath Company, teaching breathwork up to facilitator level. In 2023, she launched The Breathwork Teachers, offering 1-to-1 sessions and on-demand workshops and for groups, teams, and student communities.