Frequently Asked Questions

Breathwork is the act of breathing with intention and attention, transforming what is an autonomic function to a profound tool for sustainable physical and mental wellbeing. It is the foundation of resilience and catalyst for change. It is a holistic healing practice that involves intentionally changing the way we breathe to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. By engaging in various practices, individuals can release stress, anxiety, and trauma, as well as enhance their immune function, improve sleep patterns, and boost their energy levels. Breathwork practices can also help individuals achieve greater clarity of mind, increase their sense of awareness, and connect with their inner selves on a deeper level for a more fulfilling life. In summary, breathwork can benefit your wellbeing in many ways, providing a valuable tool for self-care and personal development.

Our monthly online Masterclasses are 2-hour Zoom sessions usually held on the last Saturday of the month. They offer unique insights into all aspects of our breath. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn how to breathe optimally and to apply a vast range of breathing styles in the comfort of your own space. The topics are informative, relevant and at the cutting edge of science. Some of the topics include: Taking control of Anxiety Managing your Energy Tools for Teens Dealing with grief Feminine rhythms of change Masterclass sessions are informative, relevant, and at the cutting edge of science. Each Masterclass comprises of a discussion around a specific topic, followed by a practice where you are invited to experience your breath in the comfort of your home. The session ends with time for reflection, questions and feedback. All Masterclasses are recorded and booked participants receive the recording link a few days after the masterclass. No experience required.

Conscious Breathwork Conscious breathwork refers to the practice of developing a soft awareness of your breath as it moves in and out of your body. This intentional focus on your breath can help you achieve a state of calm, presence, and deeper connection with your body and mind. It encapsulates a vast range of breathing practices and exercises, from calming to energising to transformational. Conscious Connected Breathwork Conscious Connected Breathwork is a specific practice of conscious breathing that can lead to profound insights and healing. It refers to a circular breath technique where inhalations are immediately followed by exhalations without pause. When practiced for an extended period, it can induce non-ordinary states of consciousness and lead to profound healing experiences. This technique is part of our human heritage and has been found across cultures under different names over time. Cellular Respiration The core objective of our breath is to sustain cellular respiration, a profoundly intricate process vital for energy generation. Cellular respiration operates by extracting energy from the molecules we consume and inhaling oxygen for this purpose. Oxygen uptake Through inhalation, we take in oxygen, an essential component of the respiration process. This oxygen is transported to the cells where energy production occurs. Digestive processes As we consume food, our digestive processes break down complex nutrients into our primary energy source, glucose. This glucose, once generated, stands as the central building block for energy production. Mitochondrial Magic Inside our cells, particularly in the mitochondria, the enchanting chemistry of cellular respiration unfolds. When glucose combines with the inhaled oxygen, mitochondria function as the energy factories, generating not only energy but also water and carbon dioxide as byproducts. Breath as Energy In essence, breath serves as a principal energy source. The harmonious interplay between oxygen and glucose, under the orchestration of cellular respiration, unleashes the vital energy needed to fuel our daily activities. Understanding this science underscores the fundamental connection between respiration and vitality.

No. While hyperventilation temporarily reduces CO2 levels and oxygen delivery to tissues, Conscious Connected Breathwork is done with intent and control. Unlike hyperventilation, which often denotes a loss of control, Conscious Connected Breathwork is a therapeutic practice.

It is useful to consider 3 basic ideas if you’d like to start practicing breathwork. These are known as the pillars of breathwork and offer gentle support and guidance in the beginning. The pillars are: Breathing through your nose Using your diaphragm (your main breathing muscle) and Breathing at a restful and slow rate. Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably on a chair or on a mat on the floor and allow yourself to slowly breathe through your nose, deep into your belly while your eyes are open/closed, and your shoulders are relaxed. If your mind starts to wander return your attention to these 3 pillars. Practice sitting like this for a few minutes at a time.

Breathwork is the practice of bringing your attention and intention to how you breathe. It allows you to become aware and enables you to change your breath to experience different outcomes such as relaxation, focus or energy. Pranayama (‘Prana’ means life force energy and ýama’ means control) is a system of breathing exercises and techniques that control how you breathe. It is an integral aspect of yoga and supported by its postures with the intention of supporting the flow of life force energy through your body.

Breath awareness is when you bring your full attention to the way you are breathing. Feeling and experiencing the details of the breath as it flows into your body and as it flows out. It is the awareness of sensations, movement of your body with each breath and the ability to stay present and in the moment as you observe and experience your breath. It is a wonderful way to start your breathwork journey and the foundation to every mindfulness or meditation technique.

Breathwork can be practiced for a few minutes at a time or for a longer period. There are no rules but rather the invitation to set aside some time to explore your breath and integrate it into your daily life. Through this integration you can support yourself through the demands of your day and establish neural pathways that will make this support automatic.

Mindfulness is when you actively bring your attention to the present moment and allow yourself to name your feelings, thoughts and sensations in an objective manner without labeling them as good or bad. Becoming mindful of them. Breathwork is when you bring your awareness to the present moment through the observation of your breath. There is no focus on naming anything simply the act of bringing your attention to your breath. Breathwork is often considered an easier way to invite calm to your body as mindfulness requires more attention and focus.

Breathwork can be done in any position. Lying down is often the easier position because your body can relax into the supporting surface, allowing you to soften and make space for your rib cage to move freely and your lungs to open fully. If you prefer to sit during your breathwork sessions, then allow your posture to support the flow of breath into your lungs by relaxing your neck and shoulder muscles and breathing deep into your belly. It is a good idea to experiment with both positions and feel the difference in the flow of breath for yourself.

Pneumanity™ is an approach to conscious breathing that is inspired by an ancient vision of the future, held and shared by the Breathwork Africa community. It is an integrative and embodied approach to breathwork that is honouring of each individual as a unique expression of their history, character and spirit. It draws on the vast scope of practices that are guided by ancient wisdom and grounded in modern science. Pneumanity™ is adaptable, simple, safe and most importantly, accessible to all people regardless of age, culture, nationality, race, gender identity or sexual orientation, religion and life circumstances. It guides every person to their own resources held within their body and breath.