Breathing Life Back In

4 days ago6 min read

I see you

I see the version of you navigating the daily grind – the tasks, the emails, the constant motion. And I also see the deeper you, the one wondering if there's more, if the heaviness will ever lift, asking:

'Is this all there is?'

If you're experiencing emotional numbness... It's not a flaw.

It's your body's way of protecting you when life feels overwhelming. Your body disconnects from sensation as a survival strategy. Trauma specialists like Bessel van der Kolk remind us that trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. Reconnecting with your body is key to healing.

I recently started reading Bessel van der Kolk's book, The Body Keeps The Score. I guess I was expecting (or perhaps hoping for) a how-to on using the intelligence of the body and power of breath to work with the heaviness we carry inside of us.

What I received instead was a thoroughly breathtaking, absolutely jaw-dropping insight into all the the ways that experiences in my early life have been running it ever since—and I don't mean that in a good way.

You see, over the years I've taken a small amount of pride in my resilience... but that book is something else, and it should come with a trigger warning. All of that being said, I'm glad I read it. It's opened my eyes to a world of things I kinda knew about but didn't truly understand.

More than that, though, it has shown me that my memoir is my own story about processing trauma—I just didn't appreciate how impacted I was by it. It makes perfect sense then, that I found Breathwork.

This realisation, this understanding of how deeply trauma impacts us, led me even more profoundly to the power of breathwork.

Breathing: A Path Back to Feeling

As a Breathwork Instructor, I've seen firsthand how powerful breathwork can be. I've walked that path of emotional numbness, searching for connection. Yoga, mind-based techniques, even journeys to Peru – I tried it all. Then I found breathwork, and everything clicked.

Conscious breathing became the bridge between survival mode and the depth of feeling you crave. It allows your nervous system to remember what it's like to be fully alive. Simple, intentional breathing practices can train your body to release tension and open up to sensation.

Breathwork is more than just inhaling and exhaling. It's a direct line to your nervous system, a conversation with your body. Studies show controlled breathing reduces stress hormones, lowers heart rate, and shifts you from fight-or-flight to rest-and-repair (Jerath et al., 2006). It's a way to gently awaken those quiet places within you.

Here are three simple breath practices to get you started. Choose the practice that resonates with you today. Go easy, go slow and remember that breathwork of any type is powerful, so if you feel any type of discomfort, return to a low, slow extended exhalation. Be sure to check breathwork precautions here before you participate in practices that go beyond gentle breathing.

Coherence Breathing (Balanced Nervous System Reset)

Inhale for a count of 5, exhale for a count of 5.
Repeat for five minutes.

This practice balances your nervous system. When stress overwhelms, your nervous system becomes disordered. Coherence breathing restores balance, fostering resilience and presence. It strengthens heart rate variability, a sign of nervous system resilience. (Zaccaro et al., 2018).

Physiological Sigh (Releasing Emotional Constriction)

Take a double inhale through the nose (short + deep breath), then exhale fully through the mouth.
Repeat 3-5 times.

This double inhale releases built-up emotional tension. Suppressed emotions often manifest as tightness in the body. This practice resets your emotional state, releasing pent-up energy. (Huberman, 2021).

Breathe and Touch (Grounding Back into the Body)

Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly.
Breathe in low, slow and deep (but be gentle, no forcing), feeling your belly expand; exhale with a soft sigh that is slightly longer than your inhale.

Sometimes, we need a gentle reminder that we are here, in our bodies. The act of placing a hand on the heart and belly grounds us in the present moment, offering a gentle, physical reminder that we are safe, supported, and allowed to feel. This practice nurtures the vagus nerve, the body’s primary pathway for relaxation, which invites calmness and connection (Porges, 2011).

You're Healing...

You've survived. Your body has adapted to protect you, and that's a testament to your resilience. The numbness, the disconnection – these are not signs of weakness, but of a powerful system doing its job.

Healing isn't about erasing what's happened. It's about creating space for new experiences, for reconnecting with yourself on your own terms. Each breath, each moment of awareness, is a step towards that reconnection.

This path is yours, and you set the pace. There's no rush, no pressure. You're not alone in this. Whether you choose to explore breathwork, seek therapy, or simply allow yourself moments of quiet reflection, you're taking steps towards your own well-being.

Remember, you are inherently whole. You are capable of feeling, of healing, of finding your way back to yourself.

Let's take a moment now.

Just breathe.

Notice the rise and fall of your chest, the sensation of air moving in and out.

You're here, you're present, and that's enough.

And to support you in this journey, I've created a Free Calm Kit, a collection of simple tools to help you reconnect with your breath and your body. This kit includes:

Three guided breathwork audios to help you start with simple, grounding practices.
An extra audio explaining the science of the techniques.
A downloadable PDF with key breath techniques for reducing stress and fostering emotional resilience.

You can download the Calm Kit today and begin, or continue, your journey back to feeling fully alive, one breath at a time.

If you are interested in exploring breathwork for personal growth and emotional wellness, I am here to guide you through the foundational principles and practices. However, if you’re seeking in-depth therapeutic work or need assistance with trauma recovery, please connect with a certified practitioner or therapist who can offer you specialised care.

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am a certified Breathwork Instructor and can guide you in the principles and practices of breathwork, if you are experiencing trauma, emotional distress, or require therapeutic support, I strongly recommend seeking the guidance of a licensed mental health professional or trauma therapist. Breathwork can be an incredibly supportive tool, but it should be used alongside professional therapy for those dealing with significant trauma.

Referral Resources:

If you are looking for professional support for trauma or therapeutic work, here are a few trusted resources:

• The National Helpline for Mental Health (UK): Call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org

• Mind (Mental Health Charity): Visit www.mind.org.uk for resources and guidance.

• Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center: www.traumacenter.org for more information on trauma and healing practices.

• Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine): Visit www.traumahealing.org for resources and practitioners trained in Somatic Experiencing.