Whether it is using breath in a workout to support my core and my form, or a deep breath release in a guided session every fortnight, to these short yet effective pauses whenever I find myself getting ‘agitated, blocked, or overly stressed’.

Genuinely - Something SO simple (we do it every day, right?) yet so many of us don’t breathe in a way that is effective or genuinely restorative. 🥴

If you think - poor posture reducing lung capacity per breath, and shallow breathing when stressed (which many of us are) - it’s no wonder. 🫣

So, why pause to breathe and regulate your nervous system?

🌀 Because you are worth more than to be stuck feeling ‘crappy’ aka stagnant, yuk, stressed.

🌀 Because we all know we are less likely to make ‘the best’ decisions when we aren’t feeling emotionally regulated.

🌀 And because we need oxygen to thrive!

You owe it to yourself and to your body to prioritise breathing. It need only take a few conscious moments/breaths to really make the world of difference for a long time after! 🦋🙏🏼🧡

Breathing tools and techniques that you can do any time, anywhere:

🦋 Box breathing

• Great for nervous system regulation

• Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4 - Repeat this 4 times. (You can actually increase the second count to 5 or 6 depending on what your capacity is)

🦋 Doublet breath

• A more fiery breathe for getting out excess energy (among many other benefits) and one I utilise when I am really wanting to tap into my internal state or shift through and/or release stagnant or subconscious energy

• Breathe in though your mouth with pursed lips as if you are sucking in through a straw. Breathe in 80% into your stomach and then the final 20% into your chest. The key is to do this inhale quickly. And then release your breath in a normal exhale through your mouth. Repeat as many times as necessary.

🦋 Just taking deep, conscious breath

• Another breathing technique that is literally just you breathing fresh oxygen into your body and allowing you to reconnect with your body as opposed to your mind

• If you can, place one hand over your heart space and the other over your womb space. Breathe in deeply and slowly though your nose into each of these spaces, and then exhale through your mouth. The key is to be slow and conscious here, connecting with your body. If possible, exhale for longer than your inhale, as this will further increase nervous system regulation.

Do you do anything different to regulate your nervous system? Let me know in the comments!

Mon xx