My Breathwork Journey

the Sober Glow | Vol. 03

Get HIGH Naturally…

My first experience with Breathwork was in the summer of 2017. I was already sober when I came across a Breathwork workshop with Erin Telford. Having no idea what it was, and not giving it much thought, I signed up. I am not a fan of crowds, and I was pretty surprised at how many people were in the room that night, but I was an open vessel and willingly took it all in. Erin started the class with a talk and then had us all gather into a circle and hold hands. We went around the room with each of us sharing a word (I forget my word or what the topic was, but that’s neither here nor there). After a quick explanation of the Breathwork practice, we all laid down on our backs and started the two-part breathing.

The physical action of this style of Breathwork is quite simple. It’s a deep breath into the abdominal area, followed by another deep inhale into the chest area and then releasing by exhaling it out. This is repeated for approximately 20-30 minutes. Sounds simple enough, right? WHOA. That first experience with Breathwork was exhilarating, and I don’t say that lightly. It was one of the most unexpected and intense experiences I have had. My body lit up. Throughout the breathing I found myself laughing hysterically crying uncontrollably and what was most interesting was how my hands lifted up and hovered over my body, and I was unable to relax them down because it felt as if my palms were pressing up against an invisible dome of energy surrounding my body. After we were asked to slow the breath back down to normal breathing, we were allowed to lie there taking it all in. This was the best part for me. Having been sober for nearly a year at this point, I had never felt so alive, so full of energy and potential. I remember leaving the workshop and walking from Tribeca to my home in the East Village in a complete and utter daze. “WTF just happened?” was all I kept thinking. Anyone who may have passed me on the street that night probably thought I was high AF. And I was, in the best possible way.

Right around that time, my husband and I were getting ready to move to California so that experience took a backseat, and to be honest in the haze of moving, I forgot about it.

After having been in Los Angeles for six months or so, a fellow sober sister who hosts monthly moon circles invited me to join. Again, I signed up not really knowing what to expect, and just went in with an open mind and heart. At the end of the circle, we were asked to lie on our backs for Breathwork. Only then did the memory of that NYC summer night come flashing back to me, “ahh, I know this.” Once again, after that experience, I floated home and told my husband that I would be attending those circles as often as possible.

For me, describing what Breathwork is, has been a bit difficult. I am still trying to wrap my head around it. But I will give you the rundown of what I have felt and experienced starting with the physical act of Breathwork, which is easier for me to explain.

David Elliot is the teacher of this “type” of Breathwork I am describing. There are many styles and teachers of Breathwork, however, I have only practiced David’s way because it works for me, and I have been called in to explore more. There is no name to it other than Breathwork. One is asked to lie on their back without using anything under the head, allowing the throat to be fully open and relaxed. I do like to use a sheepskin under my head for comfort, and I use a blanket over my body for warmth. Many people will use additional tools while breathing, such as holding rocks or crystals in the hands, essential oils, or eye pillows. None of which are required, only optional. It is however a good idea to have kleenex and water nearby.

The first ten minutes is when you will feel the most resistance and your brain will start freaking out trying to get you to stop. Keep going.

What helps calm my mind most in the first ten minutes is staying soft and gentle. I don’t overly inhale or use any force, I just focus on keeping my soft rhythmic breathing consistent. If I am with a group of people, I try not to focus on their breathing, and if I catch myself judging them or myself because it’s not the same for whatever reason, I guide myself back to my breath and tune out the rest. If I need to cough, itch my nose or readjust my body, I do so and then right back into the breathing. Getting past the resistance of the first ten minutes often brings an easier ride (sometimes :)). The following ten to twenty minutes can only be described as otherworldly, where anything physical, emotional, or spiritual can happen.

A lot of times, people will physically start moving, shaking, clenching their fists, rocking back and forth, crying, laughing, or screaming. Do not be alarmed if you feel you want to do any of this or all of this at the same time, just allow your body, your physical being to do what it wants to do and release what it is asking you to release. Try not to hold back. This Breathwork is incredibly powerful, and it’s tapping into the energetic body, turning off the mind, and allowing your emotional body to free itself. Allow it to happen.

Everyone’s Breathwork experience is different, and any person who has been practicing for a length of time will say that each of those experiences are unique as well. Truth be told, you never know what is going to come up. You may find yourself laughing and feeling amazing the entire time. Or you may find yourself reminded of a traumatic life experience that seemingly comes out of nowhere and you are asked to deal with it. Or you can have both. I’ve also heard of people having visits from loved ones who have crossed over along with psychedelic-like visions and auditory experiences. And I know people who have tapped back into their creative flow during Breathwork and were able to start writing and painting again after having been blocked.

This all can sound quite scary, but it’s probably the reason why most people who have experienced trauma, or addiction or who would label themselves as empaths, highly sensitive, or creative are attracted to this work. It’s for the humans who want to do the work, who want to release the emotions and tensions that our bodies carry, and the ones who are not afraid to face it all. The body is intelligent and will only bring up what you are ready to handle. (Important note: It is always recommended to have someone to talk with such as a therapist, mentor, or coach who can help you process any of the emotional releases that may be difficult as they arise.)

Now, to be honest, my favorite part of this whole practice is the savasana after all the hard work. It’s incredibly telling. I am most tuned in here and can feel my body and spirit in a very specific and aligned way. My physical body sensations and intuition are peaked, and it’s when I feel the most alive. And when I say “Get High Naturally”, these are the moments that I am referring to.

Shortly after participating in the women’s circles here in LA, I signed up to study directly with David Elliot. He offers a four-part certification process, which I completed in June of 2019. One of the things I am most attracted to in David as a teacher is he doesn’t claim ownership of this Breathwork. He didn’t invent breathing, nor does he have strict ways of sharing it. He simply shares his experiences, offers the practice to others, and states “make it your own,” which I will certainly take his advice.

These days I love to mix my Breathwork practice up with Yoga Nidra. It is a beautiful and potent blend of yang/yin practices. Diving deep into the fire of Breathwork and then allowing for a sweet release into the soft waters of Yoga Nidra, one will find a dynamic duo that I am thrilled to share with my community.