bodywork

Breathwork rapidly but temporarily reduces CO2 and oxygen delivery to the tissues and suppresses activity in frontal cortex of the brain. In the blood, alkalinity increases and calcium decreases. Sensory and motor neurons begin to fire more rapidly, which can feel like tingling sensations and cramping.

These are the effects of hyperventilation, however hyperventilation usually denotes a loss of control whereas Conscious Connected Breathwork is done with intent. This makes the difference. Instead of a negative experience, breathwork is a practice which can be incredibly therapeutic.

Although it can initially feel intense, Connected Breathwork ultimately leads to good results. The temporary alterations of the body chemistry are not harmful to the body, and are in fact, shown to have positive physical benefits as well. Before attempting breathwork, you may want to check with your doctor if you have non-medicated high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with psychosis.

Due to the nature of breathwork and the affect is has on our nervous system and endocrine system, there are some medical contraindications to consider. For certain types of medical and health conditions, breathwork is not suitable. With others, we can be attentive and adjust your session accordingly.

To be on the safe side, we require all participants to fill out a intake form prior to their appointment. We highly encourage you to be honest and upfront about any health conditions, illnesses and injuries that may affect your session.

If you are in doubt, please speak with your primary medical or mental health professional prior to booking an appointment.

Contraindications that are not safe to practice breathwork:

• Aneurysm in brain or abdomen
• Currently taking/prescribed Blood Thinning Medications
• Cardiovascular disease (angina, previous heart attacks, or strokes)
• Detached retina
• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder
• All forms of Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• High Blood Pressure - strong emotional release and/or intense physical movement can exacerbate high blood pressure issues, raising it even higher than it is.
• Kidney disease
• Mental Illness (including Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia)
• Pregnancy - some breathwork facilitators will work with women in certain trimesters of pregnancy. But due to no long term testing available and the unknown affect trauma release may have on your baby in utero, I have a strong personal preference to not facilitate pregnant women.
• PTSD - Many clients have had profound healing experiences for their PTSD. However, if you have a severe case and/or are under a therapist’s care, we ask that you get their approval to participate so we are sure that you are grounded enough to handle what might come up during the session, including possibly reliving the experience which caused the PTSD in order to release it out of your system.
• Recent Surgery
• Severe Asthma
• Any other medical, physical or psychiatric condition which would impair or affect the ability to involve in deep physical and emotional release.
  

All your medical and health-related information will remain confidential!

Trauma arises when an event or series of events overwhelms, overstimulates and oversaturates our ability to process it/them., and when it persists, the body can become "stuck" in a chronic holding pattern of overwhelming reactions & reactive cycles. Breathwork with a skilled guide can help those with trauma, PTSD or CPTSD expand their window of tolerance, which means the capacity to sit with discomfort, bodily sensations & reactions that do not feel safe. A lack of safety can make "being in the body" unbearable, which perpetuates avoidance/dissociation and keeps triggers circulating & potent. By learning to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through regular practice of controlled breathing techniques, we can train the body to respond differently to these stressors & experience a greater sense of calm and control in daily life. If you have been diagnosed with PTSD or CPTSD, you must deeply consider whether you are prepared to confront your experience, to release it. You are the highest authority of your body AND you are responsible for your choice to use these powerful tools. Often, when someone has worked with a talk therapist, they come to breathwork ready for removing the trauma from the body. This work is not recommended for a traumatized individual who has not been receiving professional support.