It’s never a good idea to start a breathwork session when you’re anxious or overwhelmed, which is why every session begins with grounding, centering, and relaxing.
Feel free to participate as I guide SK and Marilyn (@justsaysk and @overtherainbowenergy on Instagram) through the beginning of a trauma-informed breathwork session.
These first 10 minutes are spent doing a body scan, using regulating breath, and finding what’s called a “resource.”
An external resource is something soothing in your environment that you can focus your senses on to bring yourself into the present moment. This could be visual, like a painting or plant that you can stare at, or it could engage your sense of touch, like a pillow, soft fabric, or a fidget toy.
An internal resource is a part of your body that feels more steady and supportive than the rest of you. Having both an internal and external resource is ideal because, if one fails, you can rely on the other. The more tools you have to ground yourself in the present moment, the better!
After this introductory section, we begin a cycle of conscious connected breathing (aka circular breathing), which purposefully activates the nervous system and brings up stuck energy and emotions to be processed.
Because breathwork encourages activation in a controlled environment, it’s essential to begin from a place of calmness. If you’re starting out from a place of anxiety and overwhelm, activation with the breath is not therapeutic because it further dysregulates you.
Let me know in the comments if you participated or if you have any questions! :)
If you’re curious to try breathwork, I’ll be starting virtual group sessions in the fall. Updates will be posted on Instagram (@reysomatics) and my website: www.reysomatics.com. I also have availability to work with people individually.
