WHEN BREATHING GETS A NEW NAME, IT MUSt be SOMETHING SERIOUS…
what is breathwork?
Breathwork isn’t one single technique. It’s an umbrella term used for a range of practices that each have a different effect on the body and mind. Although it may seem like breathwork is the ‘new kid’ on the block, It has been around in various forms for thousands of years. Originating in the east, breathwork has its roots in yoga and is still widely known as pranayama. Pranayama can be translated to ‘extension of the life force’ or ‘breath control’.
Breath can be used as a tool for meditation, but most people find it to be meditative itself. A true breathwork practice is about the intentional manipulation of breath. Whether you’re looking to simply change your state or access deeper levels of consciousness.
The breath gives us an opportunity to observe the present moment. In the present moment, we can discover a great depth within ourselves.
“But, I’ve been breathing my entire life and I’m doing just fine!”
— Every skeptical Human Being
Why breathwork?
We get it, it sounds too simple! Most of the time, we don't even realise we're breathing—it just happens automatically while we go about our day. We take around 20,000+ breaths a day. That kind of breathing is certainly important for keeping us alive, but is it optimal?
The way we breathe influences every system and function in our body. Once your breathing is “off” or has dysfunctional tendencies every cell in our body will start compensating to maintain homeostasis in our body.
It’s because breathing is so fundamental to our existence that we need to be paying more attention to it.
what we teach
Functional breathwork
Simple, safe and effective. This science-based breathwork is designed to change your breathing patterns long-term, supporting your overall well-being. Learn about the detrimental effects of mouth breathing and other important topics they unfortunately skipped at school.
conscious connected breathwork
This therapeutic breathwork modality is for anyone brave enough to dive deep within. Are you ready to uncover your true self? To introduce profound changes into your life? To access deeper levels of consciousness? To reconnect with the wisdom of your body? This is your opportunity to move towards wholeness.
Sports Performance
Athletes, both recreational and professional, can benefit from a comprehensive approach to breathwork, enhancing performance and supporting long-term success. Integrating specific techniques into your routine optimizes and boosts overall performance in your sport.
This method stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. It aims to eliminate mouth breathing, build diaphragm strength, normalise breathing volume and restore the balance of blood gases.
We look at functional breathing from three dimensions:
Biochemical (Light) - Works with your carbon dioxide sensitivity and the pH of the body.
Biomechanical (Deep) - Focuses on the function of the diaphragm, spinal stabilisation, increase in lung volume, improved functional movement and more.
Psychophysiological (Slow) - Optimises and restores the Parasympathetic-Sympathetic balance by altering the speed at which you breathe. Stimulates vagus nerve, improves alveolar ventilation, HRV, focus, concentration and resilience.
There can be dysfunction in one or all three dimensions. After a detailed evaluation we use science based protocols to create a personalised daily practice in order to help restore your respiratory system.
Functional breathwork
Bad breathing habits can be influenced by many factors such as chronic stress, lifestyle, genetics and environment (e.g. age, gender, body composition, activity level, sleep, inflammatory foods, excessive talking, past traumatic experiences). These habits can be really subtle and may go unnoticed.
Your breath mirrors the direct state of your nervous system…
..and your brain is spying on your breath, therefore the subtle changes in your breath inform the body of the experience that you’re having. The inability to deal with stress or lack of boundaries when it comes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact on you autonomic nervous system.
The goal isn’t to have a calm nervous system rather it is to be able to manage stress with a nervous system that is resilient and flexible.
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Heightened anxiety and worrying
Frequent mood swings and emotional instability
Difficulty concentrating, focusing and holding attention
Poor sleep quality or insomnia
Chronic fatigue and low energy levels
Immune system dysfunction, leading to frequent illness
Digestive issues
Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli (e.g., sound, light)
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Breathing through the mouth
Upper chest movement
Hearing breathing during rest
Frequent sighing
Frequent yawning
Easily noticeable breathing movement during rest
Breathlessness
Paradoxical breathing
Taking large breaths prior to talking
The technique we teach is called Conscious Connected Breathing, which is a very simple breathwork technique that may take a while to master. It’s benign yet powerful enough to create deeply transformational experiences. The secret is in the name. The breath is Conscious, Connected and Continuous.
In humans, surviving trauma does not necessarily mean completing the trauma. Many of us find ourselves caught in the relentless cycle of busy-ness, distractions, and obligations. Amidst the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations, the pursuit of self-regulation and self-awareness often takes a backseat. This may cause emotional energy to remain within our body, potentially causing significant physical and emotional stress.
After trauma the world is experienced with a different nervous system that has an altered perception of risk and safety. The event dismantles our sense of security, exposing the unpredictability of the world. In this altered reality, we acknowledge the likelihood that what occurred once can happen again.
For our physiology to calm down, heal and grow we need a visceral feeling of safety.
conscious connected Breathwork
This requires us to have experiences that can restore our sense of physical safety which can often be experienced through transformational breathwork.
It’s necessary to add that on the other side of all this is a feeling of freedom and liberation: Where we experience a profound sensation of oneness, deep connection, embodiment, intense gratitude and even evoke a spiritual awakening.
It's important to participate in such breathwork sessions with trained, trauma informed and experienced facilitators who can provide guidance and support throughout the process.
As with any therapeutic practice, individual experiences may vary, and it's essential to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to explore your inner landscape.
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Feeling as though you are on autopilot
Perfectionist tendencies
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Hypervigilance or heightened sensitivity
Avoidance of people, places, or activities
Inability to enjoy life or feel love
Emotional numbness or detachment
Self-destructive behaviours
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Flashbacks or nightmares
Intrusive thoughts or memories
Increased irritability and agitation
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In CCB sessions, participants typically engage in rhythmic and intentional breathing, often accompanied by music and guidance from a facilitator. We may also get called to assist you with bodywork, affirmations, acupressure or energy work (which you are welcome to opt out of). The goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your inner experiences and connect with your emotions, thoughts, and beliefs.
The Oxygen Advantage is a breathing method that is scientifically proven to enhance athletic and sports performance. This approach emphasises nasal breathing, breath control, and carbon dioxide tolerance training to optimise oxygen delivery to the muscles and enhance endurance, stamina, and recovery.
The biggest mistake we see people make is mouth breathing during exercise. The mouth is designed for eating, drinking and speaking. It has no function in breathing and yet it has become the norm. When you do physical exercise with your mouth closed, carbon dioxide increases in the blood. This dilates your blood vessels, while the increase of nitric oxide in your nose opens up the airways. As the CO2 increases, haemoglobin, which is the main carrier of oxygen, releases oxygen more readily. This means when your mouth is closed during physical exercises you get better oxygen delivery to your working muscles.
We both come from an athletic background and regularly incorporate simulated altitude training, experiment with breathwork drills, practice recovery breathing and monitor our progress in and out of the gym.
The Oxygen Advantage (Sports Performance)
We truly believe this might be the the key ingredient to catapult your athletic achievements and revolutionise your total wellness.
When it comes to training, we tend to forget one very important muscle - the diaphragm. Core stability and posture are supported by intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). When breathing is fully functional, the diaphragm is better at generating optimal IAP - and better spine stability, thus avoiding risk of injury. The diaphragm also pumps oxygen rich blood to your working muscles - if it fatigues quickly it will have an immediate affect on your performance.
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No problem! Attila is a certified personal trainer and can tailor a training program for your goals and needs.
Exercise is an integral part in maintaining healthy respiratory system function.
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Boost your sports performance
Improve your health long-term
Enhance focus, concentration, posture and sleep
Reduce performance anxiety and breathlessness
Run without triggering exercise-induced asthma
Improve energy levels, concentration, and mental focus
Increase oxygen capacity
Recover quicker
Open your airways