breath_flows

Life is so busy right now that posts will be few and far between for the foreseeable, but I’m still here!

And if you want to learn more about breathwork this book is great.

It’s not a how to guide, it doesn’t teach you practices. It does give you a wonderful and motivating overview of the impact breathwork can have on physical and mental health, and the solid science behind the practises.

It’s fascinating how science is catching up to old wisdom, and showing us why ancient yogis and spiritual traditions have certain things in common, breathwork being one of them.

It’s pretty funny too! A good balance of info and anecdotes makes it a good read.

Taking a wee break while me and the kiddos get over the winter bugs

A lovely friend (can’t tag you Emma, mysteries of FB!) sent me a Buddy Box from Blurt Foundation full of wonderful wee gems, including these cards full of insights and postive affirmations. This one really resonates with me at this stage in starting my own business.

Imposter syndrome can be pretty crippling sometimes, and that thought that there are so many others doing what you do (or similar) out there, what more can you bring?

We’re all totally unique, we all do things the way nobody else does. Some people will chime better with other coaches, breathwork instructors, psychologists, and for some, my way will fit just right.

…Bravely embracing my me-ness 😆

Many of us breath through our mouths, especially those like I used to be with an ongoing snuffly nose. But our mouths aren't meant for breathing, & if you don't breathe through your nose, congestion will only get worse.
Why does it matter?

Our nose filters the air. It also warms & moistens it so it’s less harsh on our airways. This is a big deal when you think of pollution levels & all the fun winter bugs going around.

It reduces over-breathing. Over-breathing is linked to a host of health issues, & in a nutshell it means your blood biochemistry is off & your body is working harder than it should to maintain balance & get enough oxygen into your cells. And it's a vicious cycle, your body becomes used to this & becomes more sensitive to gases in the blood leading you to feel breathless, leading to more over-breathing.

Nose breathing releases Nitric Oxide. NO is produced in the paranasal sinuses, & flows into the lungs with your breath. It relaxes blood vessels in the lungs, opens the airways & ensures better oxygen distribution in the lungs to improve oxygen delivery. It can protect you from infection & is key in producing pulmonary surfactant - vital in making sure your lungs are working as they should.

Nose breathing recruits the diaphragm. This muscle should drive your breathing but for many of us, it doesn't. If you breathe through your mouth, shallow & high, you aren't using your diaphragm, air isn't efficiently drawn into the lungs, oxygen isn’t effectively distributed throughout the lungs & your bloodstream.

You aren’t fuelling your body properly, & like not hydrating & not eating properly, this affects your health.

Your nose is meant for breathing - it prepares the air, ensures your muscles are working properly, & helps the oxygen pass efficiently into your blood.

The good news is, it's never too late (no matter how stuffy your nose is) to fix it.

A wee change that makes a huge difference.
If you want to know more, get in touch by DM or at breathflows.com

Happy international women’s day!

It was three years ago to the day at sunrise that I first plunged into the icy waters of the Moray Firth for an organised dook.
As one woman there said, “it’s amazing what mums will do to get a bit of peace!” It wasn’t this sunny, it was burny cold, and strangely magical.

That choice to just go that day changed my life in many ways - I made new friends, I found peace and presence in the breath and the cold. Life has changed a hell of a lot since then, and I’m still swimming and cherishing the wonderful women (and men) that I’m so lucky to share the good the bad and the ugly of this life with.

Happy New Year!

(I’m Scottish so these must be the first words said in any interactions today, even virtual!)

This year, don’t “just breathe”

Breathe better, healthier, calmer, and clearer…

Breathe yourself clearer this year ❤️

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