Trauma Informed Breathwork

‘The breath helps us to let go the sufferings of the past and move into experiencing the beauty of the unlimited now’ – Anu Azrael

This aspect of the work combines my experience in both Rebirthing Breathwork & SE/Trauma Healing.  Conscious Connected Breathing is a tool for accessing altered states of consciousness.   Generally Conscious Connected Breathwork activates our innate capacity for self-healing and brings us into powerful healing states of awareness where whatever lies unresolved in our unconscious comes more to the surface of consciousness for feeling, grieving & healing.   There is the potential for all kinds of experiences to occur in these altered states of consciousness.  It was originally called ‘Rebirthing’ back in the 70s because many people used to re-experience their birth or even remember experiences from the womb or experience memories pre-conception. 

However there is the potential for unlimited experience with breathwork which is what makes it such an exciting tool to work with.  When used in conjunction with Family Constellations, it has the tendency to support the processing and integration of transgenerational trauma, people have reported the experience of receiving blessings from their ancestors and other types of systemic healing shifts usually attributed to Family Constellation work, its also possible to experience higher states of consciousness. I once had the experience in a breathwork group with Sondra Ray of being touched by an angel, it was one of the most astoundingly beautiful experiences I have ever had. Others have reported enlightened insights, connecting with spiritual guides, connecting with the soul of the earth and the cosmos.   Some people have deeply emotional experiences where a lot of feelings are felt and processed, tears are shed, weight is lifted.  Some people have very physical experiences, feeling parts of their bodies in ways that are entirely new to them.  In Trauma Healing we work on the understanding that ‘reliving’ traumatic experiences through cathartic therapies can be retraumatising and that it is important to go slowly and gently, leaving space for rest, relaxation and integration. In this work the stages preceding and after the breathwork I see as just as important as the breathwork itself.  Creating and maintaining deep safety in the whole field and setting clear intentions for the context of the breathe, is important (for energy follows intention). 

This work is also underpinned by an orientation to the Principles. Especially the principles of Slowing Down, Honouring Limits, Allowing Feelings, Resourcing & Awareness of Bodily Sensations.