Breathwork
“Maybe it’s time to remember there is more than one way to breathe in icy depths or summer heat. To thank your ancestors for how you have evolved in the presence of polar bears, harpoons, and other threats. To think on what you want to shift, how you want to grow, what you need to remember.”
— Alexis Pauline Gumbs (from Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Animals)
Stress triggers a fight or flight response that sets in motion a shallow breath. Over time, we become used to shallow breathing regardless of our stress level. BioDynamic Breathwork Trauma Release System (BBTRS) is a somatic therapy that starts by creating a conscious, connected breath. Just like what author Gumbs says, it is as if we need to relearn alternative ways to breathe, imagining how our ancestors even in the harshest environments evolved, learning to breathe and survive.
Combined with conscious movement and gentle touch, the charged breathwork supports the release of long-held trauma in the body. The goal is to break down armoring held in the body coined by Wilhelm Reich as the belts of tension. The combination of breathwork techniques help to safely discharge held energy, allowing the nervous system to reset and the body to find comfort.
There are six elements in Biodynamic Breathwork Trauma Release System:
Breath
We lead you to breathe in a continuous, deeply connected pattern, waking up parts of your body that may not normally get the needed oxygen and attention.
Movement
We guide you toward moving parts of your body, often pairing intentional, slow movements with your breath to enhance flow, remove blockages and release tension.
Emotional Expression
Often in breathwork, emotions surface that may have been trapped in the body. When emotions are expressed safely while in the presence of another, the nervous system discharges that stored activation. The experience becomes coherent instead of shame.
Sound
Music may evoke past experiences and remind you of patterns held in the mind and body that need release.
Meditation
We incorporate meditation as part of breathwork to support grounding, presence and emotional regulation.
Touch
We teach self massage techniques to support release of long-held tension.
What can I expect in a session? What do I need to do in preparation?
An average session lasts between 60 – 90 minutes. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing that supports movement and relaxation. Please ensure you are in a private space with your camera on without a blurred or virtual background so that the breath coach can see you clearly throughout the session. Avoid eating at least one hour prior to your session. Don’t forget to have drinking water nearby.
The initial session will be an intake session to identify and support your specific needs and provide orientation to the overall breathwork experience.
What are contraindications for BBTRS?
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, please use my scheduling link.