Unleashing Inner Strength

Harnessing the Power of Breathing Through Life's Ups and Downs

In this fast-paced world, we often overlook the simplest yet most powerful tools available to us. Let me share a technique that has been my guiding light, long before the days of my unemployment. It's a tool I stumbled upon in a captivating book, later reinforced during wellness sessions, and finally solidified through yoga practice. Through the ups and downs of life, this technique has been my constant companion, helping me conquer stress, uncertainty, and nerves. Best of all, it's always with us, easily accessible, and entirely free. The secret to unlocking its potential lies within something you're doing right now - breathing.

Discovering "Breath" by James Nestor

It feels like a lifetime ago when I first discovered the book "Breath" by James Nestor. Drawn to it by my curiosity about meditation and wellness, this book seemed to be everywhere, praised in podcasts and linked to fascinating personalities like the Ice Man Wim Hof. As I delved into its pages, I learned about the incredible power of nasal breathing. Nestor's claims were bold - nasal breathing could optimize health and performance, filtering, humidifying, and warming the air while promoting the production of nitric oxide, a gas with numerous benefits for circulation and respiratory function. At first glance, some of these claims might have sounded "woo woo," but Nestor backed them up with compelling evidence.

I became conscious of my breath, occasionally practicing nasal breathing, but as with many things in life, it slipped to the back of my mind as I carried on with my routine. The book remained on my shelf, gathering dust, as I embarked on various pursuits and faced life's unpredictable challenges.

Work Wellness Session Awakening

Time passed, and I found myself in a wellness session, provided by my employer Xero, led by the insightful breath practitioner, Rory Warnock. Held over Zoom, the session's timing wasn't ideal, with kids running around, hindering the serenity it required. Though I didn't fully engage, I observed the techniques Rory shared. They struck a chord, yet, once again, life's demands took precedence, and I didn't immediately adopt a consistent breathing practice

Rory Warnock

Yoga and the Power of Breath

As part of our weekly workplace routine, we enjoyed rejuvenating one-hour yoga sessions, guided by the wonderful Justine Janssen. These gatherings offered an escape from our desks, providing a much-needed pause amidst the hustle. During the pandemic, as we shifted online, participation waned. To rekindle interest, Justine introduced various elements, including focused breathing. Initially skeptical, I gave it a chance, and to my surprise, I emerged from each session feeling invigorated and slightly tingly. However, I believed that experiencing the full benefits necessitated more extended practice, so I limited my engagement to the lunchtime yoga sessions.

Justine Janssen

An Empowering Year Begins

As the new year dawned, my motivation soared, and I resolved to elevate my health, family life, and career. A recent accomplishment in a challenging 27km trail race and an upcoming transition to Culture Amp amplified my determination for positive change. Seeking new avenues for self-improvement, I stumbled upon the Open meditation app, lured by a sleek social media campaign (the branding is on point!) and the link to Manoj Dias, renowned for a dedicated meditation drop-in space in Melbourne, A-Space.

While other meditation apps had served me well, Open brought something unique: breathwork. Curious, I delved into the Functional Breathwork course, coincidentally featuring Rory Warnock. I was expecting lengthy sessions, yet, to my surprise, some of them were a mere 2-minute lessons and they proved transformative. The simplicity of box breathing—4 seconds in, 4-second pause, 4 seconds out, 4-second pause—seemed almost too good to be true. I felt the stress melting away, and I realized that this natural remedy was worth its weight in gold. The power of a physiological sigh, advocated by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, further expanded my awe.

Dealt a Tough Hand

Then, life dealt me a tough hand—I was laid off, and the job market wasn't as promising as I had anticipated. But breathwork became my unwavering ally. Before interviews, it calmed my nerves and brought clarity to my thoughts. With its help, I exuded calm confidence, even amidst anxiety-inducing situations. But as rejections piled up, I found myself drowning in worries about the future—financial troubles, inflation, and mounting bills. This is when I truly realized the superpower of breathing.

In the face of uncontrollable circumstances, I could turn to my breath. As my heart rate slowed and my mind cleared, I could regain focus and redirect my energy towards the things I could change. The world might have been fraught with gloom, but within the serenity of breath, I found a haven.

I highly recommend you to embark on this journey. Experience the wonders of breathwork for yourself. Amidst the chaos, uncertainty, and challenges, it may be the beacon that guides you to newfound resilience and tranquility.

But that's not the end of my tale, I started doing a daring and invigorating practice—the daily ice baths in my pool. Egged on by my builder nephew who won’t stop talking about how great he feels, I threw myself into our pool, which was sitting at 8 degrees celsius. The chilling thrill of each morning dip has become a refreshing ritual that revitalises both body and mind. In a future post, I'll share some insights about the experiences I've gained from this crazy pursuit. So, stay tuned!