Upcoming yoga workshop: Free your breath – Discover multi-dimensional breathing
Breathing is life. Yet, few of us pay close attention to our breath in our daily lives.
The average adult takes around 12-20 breaths per minute at rest, which adds up to a whopping 17,000 breaths per day. But even though we are breathing non stop and it’s an automatic process that keeps us alive, chronic stress, shock trauma, anxiety, or even bad posture can disrupt this natural rhythm.
Unfortunately, non-optimal breathing, also called dysfunctional breathing, is very common nowadays. This can manifest in several ways:
- Shallow Breathing: This involves using the chest muscles for breathing rather than the diaphragm, leading to short, quick breaths that don’t fully inflate the lungs.
- Overbreathing (Hyperventilation): Taking in more air than your body needs and depleting the carbon dioxide, often associated with anxiety or panic attacks.
- Mouth Breathing: Breathing primarily through the mouth instead of the nose.
These patterns can have negative consequences for your health:
- Increased Stress and Anxiety: Shallow breaths and hyperventilation can worsen or even cause stress and anxiety.
- Reduced Oxygen Levels: Non-optimal breathing can limit oxygen intake, leading to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
- Muscle Tension: Shallow breathing often involves tensing the shoulders, neck and upper chest, which can contribute to chronic pain.
- Sleep Disruption: Difficulty getting a good night’s sleep due to shortness of breath or mouth breathing, snoring or sleep apnea.
- Exacerbation of Respiratory Conditions: Non-optimal breathing patterns can worsen symptoms of asthma or COPD.
When: TBC
Where: Online via Zoom
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: £15
What you’ll get out of this workshop:
Breath awareness: Connect to your breath and notice its subtle qualities and patterns.
Freeing the ribcage to expand your breathing: Explore ways to unlock the full capacity of your diaphragm and ribcage.
Calming down the nervous system: Activate your body’s natural relaxation response and feel more centred and grounded.
Gain a clearer understanding of the mechanics of breathing: learn about role of the diaphragm, lungs, and ribcage. Learn how different breath patterns can influence your energy levels, emotions, and overall well-being.
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash