How a 75 Minute Breath Work Session Feels
September 2, 2024
I did breath work for 75 minutes last week.
Part of regular maintenance. (Like an oil change.)
My daily maintenance is smaller breath work/meditation/energy management sessions to maintain. Medium sized ones every week. (Like filling up the gas tank.)
But every month, sometimes a few times a month I need something more.
Something deeper.
Something cleansing.
Releasing.
Restorative.
Even with the daily/weekly maintenance I do, there’s an accumulation. It’s something that simmers below the surface, almost imperceptible.
When I’ve left it unchecked for too long it starts to present itself in little ways. Like a funky undercurrent of ‘off’. It’s an accumulation of inconspicuous stressors. Of little aggressions. Of trauma, new and old.
I know that I have this wonderful tool to cleanse, release, alchemize these feelings but in the busyness of living a full life and in teaching others how to breathe, I sometimes deprioritize this necessary, deeper practice.
The Shoemakers shoes syndrome …. (It's the idea that a shoemaker is so busy making shoes for everyone else that they often neglect their own, leaving their own shoes worn out. It highlights how people can focus so much on helping others that they forget to take care of themselves. Sound familiar?)
And also, because it’s hard. It’s breath (space) work.
This is not the pranayama yoga breath. This style of breathing is challenging. The length of time is long. So truth be told, I’ll ignore it. Convince myself that I’m actually doing ok. And I am, but I *know* I can feel even better.
Therefore I make the time (read here where I talk about how we do have the time), as I can’t count on motivation, and I set the space for myself.
With the same care and intention I set up for my clients.
Head phones
Music
Palo Santo
Glass of water for the dry mouth
Lip balm for the dry lips
Blankets to keep me warm when my body temperature drops
Pillows propped just so
Journal by my side, page open, pen ready
A note to my partner letting him know I’m heading in to 75 minutes of breathing and that I’ll need a big hug when he’s home
Phone goes on do not disturb (I have a specific focus set up on the phone for ‘breathing’)
Into the fray I go.
The first 10-15 minutes are typically the hardest. I have to push myself because this style of breathing is hard.
After those first 10-15 minutes though…
Once I’m immersed in the music and in my breath, my body intrinsically knows what to do.
I go on autopilot.
My brain stops chattering.
I’m in the zone.
I’m into the subconscious where stories are unwritten and change is made.
My body reacts to the increase of oxygen and building up of c02 levels.
Body tingles and buzzes
Hands and mouth cramp
Weightlessness and floating set in.
It’s a euphoric experience. Without the drugs.
I’m subliminally aware of what my mind is doing. Of the things it’s releasing from its grips.
I’m aware that because I’m in this state I’m allowing it to be released.
There is no resistance here.
In this particular breath work session I’m releasing generational trauma. It’s hard to explain what I mean by this because words are limited, but I can tell you it’s profound. It’s sad.
It’s also extremely liberating.
The tears come.
The screams fall out of my mouth.
Physical acknowledgments of pain that I’m releasing from deeper stores of my mind and body.
Eventually, after 65 minutes of this work, I’m gently brought back. The music slows and softens.
Breathing returns to normal.
Body regulates.
Eyes softly open.
What was 75 minutes on my timer actually felt like 10 minutes. Time was suspended.
I take time to journal what I remember.
I drink my water.
I ground myself.
I move slowly.
Leaning into restorative and supportive movements.
I feel … different.
Lighter.
Happier.
Elevated.
Aligned.
Elated.
Clear.
The fog was lifted.
The feeling continues into the next day, and the next, and the next.
When my system has purged things that aren’t for me, or aren’t serving me, it’s more capable of living.
This is why breath work is the most important thing I do.
Are you ready to release what’s been holding you back and step into a lighter, more aligned version of yourself? Breath work can help you unlock deep transformation, just as it has for me.
If you’re curious about how this powerful practice can elevate your life, let’s connect.
Click below to learn more about how we can work together to bring clarity and calm into your life.
Breathe it in, Be Deliberate, and please be good to yourself!
Chelsea
aka The Deliberate One
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