Our breathing pattern is a huge indicator for how we are feeling at any one time – even subliminally.

‘Slow and steady’ when we are calm and relaxed, and ‘erratic and fast paced’ when we are anxious, nervous, scared or stressed.

Finding a method of managing our breathing and ultimately our emotional state, is why so many of us turn to the practice of yoga and meditation. These practices introduce a method of regulating our breathing that will bring us back to a state of relaxation, and have been practiced for thousands of years. Breathing through the physical postures is a critical component of yoga, while counting your breaths plays heavily to certain meditative traditions.

It is little wonder then that Harpers Bazzar reported in 2019 that breathwork was the fastest-growing wellness trend in 2019, and has also been recognised in the top 5 wellness trends for the last two years.

Interestingly, we now see ourselves living with a respiratory virus that is changing the world, and our breathing has never been so significant.

Regular Breathwork practitioners see mental improvements in themselves such as overcoming depression, managing addiction, and having a more compassionate self-view, as well as finding a more spiritual element too.

Breath Mastery states: Our Breathing is the only system in the body that is both completely automatic and also under our control. That is not an accident of nature, not a coincidence. That is an opportunity, an invitation, to take part in our own nature – our own evolution!

If you don’t have much time to dedicate to it though, Erika Polsinelli, a Kundalini breathwork teacher and the founder of Evolve by Erika, believes that every little bit counts. “Ideally, a 20- to 30-minute practice in the morning would be wonderful. However, even just spending three minutes each morning consciously breathing can help change the projection of your entire day.” She recommends practicing in the mornings, because the brain’s relaxed; a sleepy state can help you achieve a meditative headspace more quickly and with fewer distractions.

If you would like some help with your breathwork, Sammie Mason (our yoga therapy practitioner), Tracey Butcher (our mindfulness & compassion coach) and Louise Coyle (our hypnotherapist) are excellent practitioners who can help.