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Breathwork
Originally and still widely known as ‘Rebirthing’, ‘Breathwork’ is a Western rediscovery of an ancient pranayama yoga technique. It uses a full and cyclical breathing pattern to access and release emotional energies which have been suppressed, typically in overwhelming or dysfunctional childhood circumstances. The term ‘Rebirthing’ was coined because it can lead one back to recollections of birth, and to impressions and beliefs, which arise from the most common overwhelming experience of all. However emotional energy suppressed at any stage of development can also be released.
‘Breathwork’ sessions typically last for about two hours, the breathing cycle itself for about one hour. The breathworker acts as a breathing coach, a supportive witness and a reflective listener. Only the client's subconscious or inner knowing determines what comes up. It cannot be consciously determined, nor is it the breathworker's role to guide it. As a result whatever is released is relevant and safe for the client at that time. Because of the fear of releasing intense emotions, some people approach each session tentatively as they learn to trust their own process. Persistence pays off.
Results include emotional release, physical sensations, event memory, insights about life patterns, a shift to a deeply peaceful state or a combination of any of these. The recall of events is often delayed until after the release of emotions associated with them, so that the intensity stays at a level which is not overwhelming. However sometimes a particular emotion may be released in a session and the person experiencing it might not be able to explain its significance.
Physical sensations do not come from reliving the physical experience as much as from the energy trapped in certain parts of the body eg. the legs at a time when the child wasn't able to run or the throat when silence was needed to ensure survival – reasons vary. The aim is to allow and feel these energies, rather to cure them, eradicate them or understand them. Focussing on the sensations and breathing enable their release. Paradoxically when we allow them, they move and when we stop trying to understand, insights come. The client can interrupt the process at any stage and focus on the present should the experience prove too intense. Learning this makes it possible to trust the process and go deeper.
After a breath session survivors often experience relief, lightness, clarity, less crowded thoughts and an increase in energy and enthusiasm. Insights to do with life patterns, relationships etc. arrive intuitively rather than through conscious analytical effort. This may occur either in the session or afterwards.
Early sessions can leave some people feeling emotionally drained for a short time. If this happens, use your supports and or talk it through with the practitioner. Usually this is prevented by pausing reflecting and integrating for a while in post-session sharing with the breathworker. With reduced emotional reactivity and increased self-awareness, it becomes easier to make consciously chosen rather than emotionally driven decisions.
The technique becomes an ongoing method for increasing self-knowledge
and self-empowerment, emotional freedom, creativity and open-hearted
connectedness. A minimum of ten sessions with a breathworker
is commonly recommended. Practitioners registered with the
following organisations are thoroughly trained, having processed
their own issues and subscribe to high ethical and professional
standards.
The Australian Breathwork Association (ABA): 02 9980 8385
www.australianbreathworkassociation.org.au
Institute of Heart Intelligence: 03 9482 5332 www.breathwork.com.au
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