Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh said: "Breath is the bridge between mind and body. When you return to your breath, you return to yourself." 

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun shares a personal story about my journey from being an anxious child to discovering the transformative power of breathwork. She discusses the science behind how breathwork helps shift us from a high-stress state to a calm and balanced one. In addition, she offers five practical breathwork techniques you can start using today to soothe your body and mind, reset your nervous system, and build resilience against stress. Whether you’re new to breathwork or looking to deepen your practice, this episode offers tools and insights to help you on your journey.

Key Takeaways

• The difference between helpful anxiety that prepares us and the anxiety that gets in our way. 
• Breathwork activates the “rest and digest” mode.
• Practicing daily, even in short sessions, helps make breathwork a natural response during stressful times.
• If breathwork feels challenging at first, starting with awareness of your natural breath can help you ease into the practice.
• Five breathwork techniques to try:

1. 5-Finger Breathing - A tactile technique that combines touch and breath.
2. Box Breathing - A method to calm your mind through balanced inhales and exhales.
3. Straw Breathing (Pursed Lip Breathing) - Perfect for releasing tension and slowing your breath.
4. Focused Breathing - Pairing breath awareness with phrases for relaxation.
5. Resonant Breathing (Coherent Breathing) - A practice to optimize your heart rate variability and reduce stress.

Resources

Free Guided Meditation: https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Follow/DM me on Instagram or Facebook: @thecalmingground

Email: [email protected]

Let’s take a breath together and create more calm in our lives! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review. Your support means the world!