About Breathwork

“The breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

The average person takes in between 20,000 and 25,000 breaths per day, and most of us do so unintentionally – it’s just our body doing what it needs to to keep us alive. When we breathe with intention, we find that the breath brings more to our spirit than simply keeping us alive. Scientific evidence shows that focused breathwork can have a multitude of benefits including:

  • Boost mood
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improve alertness, focus and memory
  • Promote creativity
  • Promote quality sleep
  • Help with the processing of emotions
  • Reduce stress
  • Reduce depression

Conscious breathing has been used for thousands of years, for example, as pranayama – one of the eight limbs of yoga. Controlled breathing has also been used in qi gong and martial arts and cultures related to Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Shamanism, and Sufism. At Whole Human, our experience with breathwork (as participants and as facilitators) shows us that conscious breathing can be one of the best tools for releasing stuck emotions, which are the root of many of our physical and mental health issues.

When we work with our clients to guide them through a group or individual breathwork session, we use a simple three-stage breath (two breaths in, one breath out).

By focusing on the breath, our clients are able to quiet their minds and reconnect with their bodies and spirit. As they do the “work” of the breathwork (staying focused on the breath), clients often experience a tangible connection to their own life-force energy (qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Through this process emotions which have been stuck in the body may be discovered and released, leading the client to feel more grounded and freer of spirit.

Group Breathwork led by Chris at Con Smania Retreat Center, Costa Rica, 2024

Contraindications

Our Breathwork practices may not be right for you if any of the following apply:

  • Pregnancy (seek guidance from your physician)
  • Detached retina or glaucoma
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure or cardiovascular conditions
  • Aneurysms, uncontrolled thyroid conditions, or diabetes
  • Asthma (unless you bring your inhaler)
  • Epilepsy
  • Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychiatric diagnoses
  • Recent psychiatric hospitalization (within 10 years)
  • Any condition impairing physical or emotional engagement in intense activities

If you’re unsure, we request that you please consult your physician before participating.

Certified Breathwork Healing Facilitator

In 2023 Chris completed 9-day intensive program which certified him in David Elliot’s breathwork method.