meditation – Beyond the Breath Online Magazine

The Healing Power of Icaros: Finding Our Own Magic in Words

23/12/2024 No Comments

Recently, I was introduced to the beautiful world of icaros through a gifted plant medicine facilitator. These ancient, sacred medicine songs — deeply rooted in the indigenous cultures of South America — opened my heart to a new way of understanding healing, consciousness, and the profound power of words.

The word “icaro” derives from a South American indigenous colloquialism for “magic song.” And indeed, these songs are magical in their ability to catalyze profound healing and awareness, to guide and support those who seek transformation, and to bring clarity to what was once shrouded in mystery.

Icaros are traditionally sung by shamans, healers, and medicine practitioners during sacred plant medicine ceremonies. These songs are considered to carry the spirit and energy of the plants themselves, serving as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Through melody and vibration, icaros guide the listener on an inner journey, revealing hidden aspects of the self, releasing emotional blockages, and facilitating deep healing.

Each icaro is unique, often received by the practitioner through a process of profound connection with the plant spirits, dreams, and visions. The songs carry the wisdom of generations, passed down orally and energetically from one healer to another, embodying the essence of the sacred medicine. The melodies and words are said to speak directly to the soul, resonating with parts of ourselves that lie beyond the reach of ordinary language.

While most of us may never experience the deep cultural context of icaros or the plant medicine ceremonies they are woven into, we can still draw inspiration from the ethos and energy they represent. At their core, icaros remind us of the power of words and sound to transform, heal, and connect us more deeply with ourselves and with one another.

Every word we speak carries a vibration, a subtle energy that can either harm or heal, create or destroy. When we speak to ourselves or others, we have a choice: to use words as tools of connection, compassion, and understanding or to wield them carelessly in ways that create division and pain. Inspired by icaros, we can begin to see our everyday speech as a form of sacred song, one that has the potential to heal or harm.

Bringing the Energy of Icaros into Our Own Lives:

Speaking with Intention: Icaros are sung with clear intention — to heal, to guide, to protect, to connect. In our daily lives, we can bring a similar intention to the words we speak. Before speaking, we might ask ourselves: Are my words coming from a place of love and truth? Do they reflect my highest self, or are they being driven by fear, anger, or judgment? By setting a clear intention for our words, we can transform even the most mundane conversation into an opportunity for connection and healing.
Finding Our Own Medicine Songs: While we may not sing traditional icaros, we can create our own “medicine songs” — words, affirmations, or phrases that resonate with us on a deep level, that remind us of our strength, our beauty, and our innate ability to heal. These might be simple phrases like “I am enough,” “I trust the process of life,” or “I am connected to all things.” When spoken or sung with intention, these words can become powerful tools for self-healing and transformation.
Listening to the Inner Voice: Icaros are often received by practitioners through moments of deep connection and listening. We, too, can cultivate a practice of listening — not to the outside noise, but to our inner voice, our intuition, our deeper knowing. Through practices like meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature, we can quiet the mind and listen for the subtle messages that our soul is trying to communicate. What is our inner voice saying to us? What are the “icaros” that are waiting to be heard within our own hearts?
Creating Spaces of Healing with Our Words: In the same way that icaros create a sacred space for healing, we can create healing spaces in our everyday interactions. We can speak words that uplift, encourage, and support. We can choose to listen deeply and empathetically, offering others the gift of our presence and understanding. We can cultivate conversations that are not only about exchanging information but about sharing our true selves, our vulnerabilities, and our dreams.

Icaros are believed to have the power to rearrange the patterns and frequencies of our energy field, almost like tuning an instrument back into harmony. As these vibrations ripple through our being, they gently shift and reconfigure the energetic waves that govern our thoughts, emotions, and physical state. This transformation can allow us to release stagnant energy, unburden old traumas, and embrace a new way of seeing and understanding ourselves and the world around us. In a sense, through the power of these songs, we can become new versions of ourselves — more open, aware, and aligned with our true essence.

While we may never fully grasp the profound cultural significance and ancient wisdom embodied in icaros, we can honor the spirit of these sacred songs by bringing their essence into our own lives. We can treat our words as vessels of healing energy, choosing to speak with intention, kindness, and truth. We can remember that our voices, like the icaros, have the power to guide, to soothe, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

The magic of icaros lies not only in the words themselves but in the space they create — a space where healing, connection, and transformation become possible. Let us strive to create such spaces in our own lives, through the words we choose to speak and the energy we choose to bring into the world.
In drawing inspiration from icaros, it is essential to honor the cultures, traditions, and people who carry and gift these sacred songs. Their wisdom is a deep wellspring, cultivated over generations with great care, reverence, and respect for the natural world. We can learn from their example, not by appropriating or mimicking their practices, but by finding our own authentic ways to connect with the magic and power of words.

Just as the shamans and healers receive their icaros through deep connection, we, too, can find our own magic songs within the fabric of our everyday lives. We can become the facilitators of our own healing, using the power of our words to create, to inspire, and to transform.

May we speak with intention, listen with presence, and sing the songs that are uniquely ours. And in doing so, may we discover the profound healing and awareness that comes from embracing the true magic of our own words.

Let us remember: we all have the capacity to create our own icaros, our own medicine songs, that speak to the heart of who we are and the world we wish to create.

Naturally Lottie – Your HSP Hype Girl

To find out more about Lottie, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

Little Bird

23/12/2024 No Comments

Fly little bird,
Fly high little bird,
Soar the sky little bird.
Tell me what do you see?

I see mother earth and father sky,
As I soar this high.
I see grandfather sun and grandmother moon.
Even though it is late afternoon.

Sing little bird
Sing to me.
I wish to hear the tales of such wonders you do see.
I see emerald grass,
And trees appear,
As if made of glass.
I see rivers of gold,
And sapphire seas do I behold.
I see all the wonders of this world,
I see every moment, as it unfurls.

I sing of each new day
I sing of morning dew.
I sing for peace on earth
I sing for me and you.

Sit little bird
Sit and see little bird.
Sit little bird, please wait with me.
As my time flies little bird,
I have but little left.
So my thanks to you little bird,
For I have been blessed.
Blessed by your song little bird
Blessed by all I have heard.
So my final farewell to you little bird.

Little bird, I ask of thee,
Sing one more time little bird,
Sing so I may be free.

Karen – Creating Safe Spaces to Navigate Life’s Storms: Breathwork & Energy Facilitation to Build Your Centre of Wellness

To find out more about Karen, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

Who the heck is this?

23/11/2024 No Comments

Hey! Sophie here. I’m an almost 30 year old red-headed Yorkshire lass just starting my journey with Breathing Space to become the best breathwork facilitator Yorkshire ever saw.

This belief in myself is not something I’m hugely familiar with – it has grown in the last few years and particularly since May this year when I experienced by first Conscious Connected Breathwork class whilst on a ‘wellness’ retreat in Greece (I use the term lightly as the trip was run by regular party goers who were aiming for chill vibes. They did alright to be fair).

But who is she REALLY?
Ya gal has been through some shit. The shit started when my ex died in 2020. This was bruuuutal I can tell you. Him dying changed my perspective on literally everything in my life. I was pissed at couples walking down the street holding hands. I was reluctant to pay off my credit card because what was the point? I might die tomorrow shrugs nonchalantly (Obvs I did pay my credit card because ya gal has anxieties that override everything else)!

BUT

Whilst navigating the classic stages of grief, I realised I was actually quite liking the person I was becoming. Pre-trauma Sophie was proper square. She was a rule follower to a T and her life was lacking fun because of this. I had been a people pleaser and would prioritise everyone else’s emotional well-being waheeeey before my own. Shortly into this grief journey, I started to become more selfish but in the best way. Being selfish isn’t a bad thing. Being selfish means introducing boundaries and honouring your own emotions and wellbeing before anyone else’s. I have feelings too dammit, and they’re absolutely valid.

Since 2020 I have also lost both my Dad and my Cousin. Again, this was horrific to go through. Sadly, feeling quite experienced in the realm of grief by this point, I was able to draw on the journey I’d already navigated and seemed to handle these things fairly well (in the grand scheme of things). Don’t get me wrong, I felt incredibly guilty for feeling OK again much sooner!

My dry sense of humour has always been a masking tool I’ve drawn upon. My ability to joke about ~dark~ stuff is one of my favourite qualities. However, in the last couple of years my spiritual side has ventured into sight and I am exploring all kinds of weird and wonderful woo woo worlds (top marks for alliteration here). Because of this, the dark humour no longer served me QUITE as well. I was being forced to confront and FEEL things.

I saw a post today about the term ‘lifequake’. “A significant and unexpected shift in the trajectory of your life that initially feels devastating but has the beneficial outcome of catalyzing personal growth, transformation and rebirth.” Not sure who to credit for this but all hail this being! Thank you to Martin, Jaygo and Dad for being my lifequakes (although, given the choice, would’ve preferred you not to have been)!

Why breathwork?
Having worked in the NHS for 7 years, I got myself into a bit of a mental pickle. I know it isn’t something I want to do forever but what the Dickens could I do instead?! Cue the aforementioned wholesome trip to Greece in May 2024. We had a list of add-ons to choose from beforehand with breathwork being one of them. I didn’t give it much thought, thinking it sounded a bit lame or me. Obviously I got FOMO from everyone talking about the AMAZING experiences they’d had.

Thankfully, more sessions were put on so I signed up. Boooooyyyy am I grateful for that! It was a conscious connected breathwork session. It was hard. It was uncomfortable. It was weird. I was feeling a bit on edge anyway so it wasn’t much of a surprise when I started crying. I wasn’t quite ready for the full on emotional release that followed, though. We breathed with open mouths into the belly, chest, head, on cycle for about 20 minutes. The facilitator touched my abdomen and it was like she was literally pushing tears out of my face. Incredible. Suddenly, I realised what I had to do. I NEEDED to become a breathwork facilitator. So here I am – one seminar into the Breathing Space Breathwork Facilitator Programme, going for gold.

What’s the plan?
So what’s next? Well, I’m going to put my absolute all into the course. I’m going to learn everything I can and experience everything I can to make me the absolute best facilitator I can be. I hope to help people through their lifequakes so that they too might go for gold.

Sophie x

Sophie | @sanguine.soph

To find out more about Sophie, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

Breathwork: A Journey from Control to Acceptance

19/11/2024 No Comments

Breathwork changed my life in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. For most of my life, I was a chronic overthinker, always on alert, always afraid that happiness was something fleeting, a thing that would eventually slip through my fingers. Even in moments of joy, I was braced for it to end, and in every other moment, I fought to control the world around me. From school struggles to navigating
motherhood, I felt I had to manage every little thing, and that meant controlling not only myself but everyone else around me. It was exhausting.

Raising teens was the real turning point. My children, who I loved fiercely, were not interested in living life on my terms. They were on their own journeys, with their own dreams, fears, and choices. And my efforts to control them were met with resistance and frustration—from them and, eventually, from me too. This
was the wake-up call I needed, and it became painfully clear that I couldn’t go on this way. I was drained, burnt out, and anxious. I needed something different, but I didn’t know what that was yet.

Like so many, I first turned to meditation, but it didn’t connect with me in a way that felt sustainable or transformative. Then, I found the breath.

I started with the basics—simple breathing techniques I could incorporate into my day. These techniques were my first lessons in presence and control, a way to connect with myself in a way that I hadn’t before. Bit by bit, I started to feel different, as though I was rediscovering something about myself that had long
been buried. Slowly, my relationship with control began to shift, and it was only the beginning.

Then I discovered conscious connected breathing, and my world changed again. This practice took me deeper, helping me release layers of tension and emotion that I didn’t even realize I was holding. For the first time, I began to accept myself, not as someone trying to become or achieve something different but
simply as myself. Breath by breath, I found a sense of peace, and for the first time, I could sit with who I was without judgment or expectation.

The most transformative lesson of all was acceptance. I began to let go of old wounds and beliefs I had clung to for years. I found myself re-examining experiences I had long carried as heavy burdens, questioning the meanings I had attached to them. I was rewriting the emotions and perspectives that shaped my past. Little by little, I could see these experiences as steps on the journey rather than things I had to battle or overcome.

And here I am, still evolving but finally feeling at home in my skin. The journey isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about meeting myself as I am, with all my imperfections, strengths, and weaknesses.
Breathwork has changed my relationships with others as well. As a mother, I’ve become more accepting, more open, less controlling. I see my children for who they are, and I trust them on their paths. As a teacher, I now focus on what matters most. Connection—real, honest connection—is what truly makes an impact. In my classroom and at home, I’m more compassionate, less self-critical, and more able to embrace both myself and others without judgment.

Learning to breathe was my first step to learning to live. It’s a journey of release, acceptance, and growth. And if I can offer one insight from my experience, it would be this: the answers we seek are often not in striving but in simply being—being with ourselves, our breaths, our truths.

Marie Doherty – Empowering Women to Breathe, Thrive, and Shine.

To find out more about Marie, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

On trusting the breath and letting go of outcomes

18/11/2024 No Comments

I don’t know about you but I have sometimes lost my equilibrium as I stressed over issues I cannot control in my life, or imagined negative future events. On those days I need conscious connected breathwork more than ever. It’s also on those days that I resist this work more than ever.

Before discovering breathwork, I would sit in my familiar discomfort and gradually lose more and more stability. The consequences of not dealing with my emotions would make me edgy and unsatisfied with life, and then I would wonder ‘how did I get here’?

Now I know better. I find a comfortable place to sit or lie down and I start breathing. No pauses at the top, no pauses at the bottom. The first few minutes are really uncomfortable. As I move through the layers of my mental defenses, I feel as if I am ripping through myself. My mind does not want to give up control and I want to quit. I want my familiar dark. But I push and I embrace the uncertainty of letting go of my mind. It feels risky, but I am brave. Eventually, I surrender to my body and there is no more fragmentation. I become an ocean of waves rising and collapsing into myself.

My mind and body are one, sweet consciousness experiencing itself. What the breath brings I never know until it happens. Sometimes I desire a release but it doesn’t come. Sometimes I set an intention to bring clarity or resolution to a problem, but the breath delivers clarity on something else, unrelated to what I was fussing about. When I finish, the session I am strangely whole and relieved even though my wish for a specific outcome didn’t come to be. The darkness has dissolved. The confusion is gone.

I have come to understand that sometimes in order to resolve one thing, you first have to grasp another truth, which in turn resolves the one you were concerned with. Truth unveils in layers and in a kind of order sometimes. It’s not linear and it’s not black or white. I have learned to let go of outcomes and just focus and trust the breath to illuminate what needs to be revealed. The breath knows better. There is safety in this trust.

The breath is the light, not just on your truth, but on truth itself.

Jasmina

To find out more about Jasmina take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Techniques & Practices

4-7-8 Breathing: A Simple Tool for Calm and Balance

17/11/2024 No Comments

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to fall asleep? The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a simple, accessible tool you can use anytime to regain calm and balance. This practice involves a focused pattern of breathing that soothes the nervous system, making it particularly helpful for managing anxiety, improving sleep, and easing nausea or dizziness.

What is 4-7-8 Breathing?

4-7-8 breathing is a rhythmic technique where you:

1. Inhale through your nose for **4 seconds**.
2. Hold your breath for **7 seconds**.
3. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for **8 seconds**.

Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and inspired by ancient pranayama practices, this method gently encourages your body to switch from a state of stress (fight-or-flight) to relaxation (rest-and-digest).

Why It Works

This technique engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for helping the body relax. By slowing down your breathing, you send calming signals to your brain, counteracting the physical and mental symptoms of stress.

Regular practice of 4-7-8 breathing can help to:

– Reduce anxiety and promote emotional balance.
– Support better sleep by calming racing thoughts.
– Ease nausea and dizziness, particularly helpful for those experiencing hormonal shifts.
– Improve focus and clarity during stressful situations.

How to Practice

Here’s a quick guide to practicing 4-7-8 breathing:

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly (optional) to connect with your breath.
3. Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 counts
4. Hold your breath for 7 counts
5. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts (breathing through pursed lips helps)
6. Repeat for 2-4 cycles, or as long as feels good.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to this practice, you may feel lightheaded at first so consider doing this practice sat down initially.

Start with fewer cycles and gradually build up as your body adjusts (but you might not need to do many)

Who Can Benefit and When to Use

This technique is a versatile tool for anyone looking to manage stress and improve their well-being.

It’s particularly helpful:

– During moments of anxiety or overwhelm.
– As a night time ritual to support sleep.
– In response to physical symptoms like nausea or dizziness.

However, individuals who are pregnant, have unmanaged high or low blood pressure, or certain respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should consult a healthcare provider before practicing.

Why It’s Helpful During Menopause

For those navigating menopause, 4-7-8 breathing can be a powerful ally. Many experience anxiety, sleep disturbances, and physical discomfort such as dizziness or nausea during this transition.

Incorporating this practice into daily life provides a simple, natural way to find relief and regain a sense of control.

On a Personal Note

Learning this technique as an apprentice facilitator, it was my least favourite to guide (I’m not the best at counting). However, during a particularly sleepless night, I surrendered and found it highly effective as it had me drifting off within a couple of breaths.

I’ve also been surprised to see how effective this has been for a good few of my menopause clients struggling with vertigo, nausea and the 3am wake ups so I now guide this regularly (I’m still working on the counting).

Final Thoughts

The beauty of 4-7-8 breathing lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It requires no special equipment, can be done discreetly in almost any situation, and brings rapid results when practiced consistently.

Whether you’re seeking calm during a hectic workday or trying to unwind before bed, this technique is a reliable way to create space for relaxation and balance.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of 4-7-8 breathing, check out the accompanying video guide, where I walk you through the technique step by step!

Carly Killen – Discover yourself – one breath at a time

To find out more about Carly, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

She be brave

16/11/2024 1 Comment

She be brave and she be bold,
But she doesn’t yet see all her light of gold.
She be kind and she be right,
But she can’t see past this next fight.
She be honest and she be true,
If only she could see this storm through.
Sit my dear and hear my words,
For I have an idea, I know shall work.
Look within and you shall see,
A tiny light there might just be.
Now for the science and just a touch of magic.
We know that fire needs air and fuel to grow,
So come with me, the way I shall show.
Your thoughts and breath are all you need,
To build your own fire.
Gentle breath to coax the spark.
And fuel from your hearts own desire.
And from this space you once thought cold,
You can finally see, your light of gold.

Karen – Creating Safe Spaces to Navigate Life’s Storms: Breathwork & Energy Facilitation to Build Your Centre of Wellness

To find out more about Karen, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

In Breathwork Reflections

I am the moment you know you exist

16/11/2024 1 Comment

Watching the winds move through the valleys of me,
Wondering what it catches, what it carries, the rivering of breeze,
As my body rests as mountains without peaks,
I find myself gently, quickly caving in;
The dissolving of skin

Now then, in center sea,
A point of light, made just for me,
I watch it as the moment existence begins,
No breath, no motion,
Only stillness, as I move in,
Many layers fall at the wayside,
I barely realize what I’m leaving behind,
As I wander forward, as I feel more alive,
I remember the wind, I remember the skin,
There was a lingering message hidden within,
The quietness of sleep, the continuance of me,
Oh yes, the breath, is there something you wish to speak?

“I am the moment you know you exist.”
I let it rise in, then I let it sink a bit,
Like the fall of my breath is bringing me to the point nonexistence is in,
The inner wind, I’m travelling,
Calms and sets me down somewhere deep inside,
Here, I’ve never been,
“Here, is where we began,”
Says the breath, as I suddenly realize, I am

Tavisha, vis-à-vis

To find out more about Tavisha, take a look at her Profile in Practioner’s Corner

In Breath of Business

Launching a magazine …. with Mercury as my guide

13/11/2024 No Comments

It was early in August

“Take a look at where the Sun meets Mercury Retrograde in your chart, that will give you a clue as to the cosmic invitation or potential theme for your project. For all of us this is in the sign of Leo (Creative Self Expression), and in my chart 26*35 of Leo it’s in the 11^th house (Community, groups and friendships)”

I’ve worked with Mercury as a project guide for many years. The cosmos gifts us with 3 invitations a year to give focus and attention to something for about 4 months, which from my experience as a project manager, I know is a great timespan to do something significant whilst still maintaining momentum.

Sometimes I’m passive in the invitation, aware of Mercury’s cosmic invite and holding it lightly, allowing and responding to what unfolds, and sometimes I’m more active and engaged.

As Mercury began to turn retrograde on the 5^th August 2024, I realised that the new project invitation would come about on the 19^th August 2024 (when Mercury Retrograde met with the Sun), this would be just 2 days after I left a rather toxic job. The synchronicity was not lost on me, and I knew that this would be especially powerful for me to engage actively with this cycle, especially as I moved through the grief process and reintegration into a life without a job for a while. So, I took my own advice (how often do we forget to do that?!) and I consciously tuned into what was waiting to be birthed.

The fact that you are reading this, is a testament to the outcome of that Mercury Project. Beyond the Breath Magazine.

I’ve had the idea of a Breathwork Magazine for some time. A place where Breathwork Facilitators could share their experiences with breathwork, bringing together all their knowledge and wisdom in life and combining it with Breathwork. I was also aware that as Breathwork became more popular, there were several courses and workshops popping up, that promised to teach Breathwork Facilitation in the blink of eye. I wanted to create a space where the Breath Curious could come along and explore the breath, and their own relationship with the breath, in a place that was supported by high quality training.

I’ll be honest here too; this was not just altruistic. I knew that I needed a community, a place where I could freely express myself, where I could surround myself with people that I would like to spend time with, and a place where I could share my skills and purpose. I knew I wouldn’t find this on any of the social media platforms that I knew of, and so I began to explore creating my own community steeped in my own values. One that didn’t rely on algorithms, wasn’t controlled by a huge corporate business, and could be handled by me – with my hubby working in the background on some of the tech things!

In short, I needed to find my voice and I needed a community, everything Mercury was inviting me into.

All of the planetary cycles give us 8 invitations to engage with the ebb and flow that cycle. The moon is the most obvious to us, as she waxes (grows) and wanes (contracts) in the sky for us to see, she’s a great example of how life is not meant to be lived at full throttle all the time. We are supposed to ebb and flow, inhale and exhale. When I began to engage with the dance of Mercury and the Sun, I chose to work with just 4 of those points in the cycle, akin to seasons.

So around about the middle of August this year, as I became acquainted with my own home office again, and the Winter of the Mercury Cycle began. It’s a time to go within, and the seed is planted. It’s a quiet reflective time, used to explore and define our project intention or mission. During this phase I let the idea of a Magazine percolate. I rested, I started to chat about the project, and to see how it sounded and felt as I discussed it. I let the seed of the idea find roots.

We moved into the Spring energy of the cycle at the end August. The Spring is where we explore possibilities, test, research and measure the outcomes. What works, what doesn’t. To use the seed analogy, we are pricking out some of the shoots to allow space for the plants that are left to grow strong and vibrant. In this phase we are planning and preparing as we establish the outcome. During this phase we researched technical platforms, began to map out the site directory – playing with the menus and layout. We researched article topics and began to gather scientific research, and I began to consider my voice. What I wanted to stand for and who I wanted to be as I grew into this new role of Curious Curator. At this point it still felt ethereal, and I didn’t do much real planning, although now I think it might have been helpful to!

The Summer of the cycle came around at the end of September. Summer is where we are full steam ahead. We have decided on our direction, our plans are in place, and we are taking regular action towards making it a reality. To continue with our little seed, we are now going from a bud to a flower in full bloom, attracting the bees and other pollinators to bring life and colour to our project. At Beyond the Breath, we now had a prototype and could start to talk to people about contributing. I created an area in my members site where I could capture the articles and the biographies of new authors, and I found lots of blogs and writing of my own that I wanted to include (I’m still uploading these bit by bit!) and most importantly I began to speak to Breathwork Facilitators about the project, inviting them to contribute. First within Breathing Space, the school where I trained to be a facilitator and I now teach.

I soft launched the magazine on astrological Samhain the 6^th November. It marks the anniversary of my first ever public breathwork in 2020 and felt fitting. We still have some tech issues to sort and of course we need more contributors and a readership, the growing of which will continue now as part of my every day work life, but it’s thanks to Mercury’s cosmic invite and the willingness to listen, to respond, and to act that you are reading this article and hopefully many more in the months and years to come.

And so, you find me here now, nearing the end of the summer cycle, knee deep in social media ironically, as I work out how to expand the readership and to expand the offer to other Breathwork schools that are also accredited by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance, our closest thing to a regulatory body.

We are again about to enter the Autumn of this Mercury cycle, when Mercury goes retrograde on November 26^th 2024, where the invite is to put on the finishing touches, we are tidying up loose ends, gathering the fruit of our labours in seed terms. We are reflecting on our journey with Mercury as our guide, we are celebrating our accomplishments, and we are bringing the project to a close before we enter Winter again and a new project begins. At that point I will begin to systemise what we’ve created so I can manage it going forward as part of a normal work day.

There is still a way to go, but I am immensely proud of what we have birthed, and I smile daily as someone new submits an article, or I meet someone in the Writers Circle I launched alongside the magazine for those who need a bit of coaching and support, to begin or to continue to write and creatively express themselves.

Our new cosmic invite starts on December 6^th 2024. I will consider a new project, as I’m writing this I’m wondering what it will be. I have loved engaging with Mercury in an active and conscious way to harness the energy of the cosmic invite and create something that I hope will last for a very long time.

Would you like to join me in running a project for your life or business in line with the cosmos? Pop along to my free Zoom session on 26^th November at 7.30pm UK time and I’ll take you through the process. I’ll give you all the key dates for each season in the cycle. I’ll talk you through the cosmic invitation depending on the house in your chart where Mercury and the Sun will meet, and we’ll discuss the flow of the cycle through the project so you can begin to vision the outcome. And of course we’ll breathe together.

You can sign up by visiting https://members.sharyn-with-a-why.co.uk/mercury-project-workshop

Sharyn with a Why – Founder and Curious Curator of Beyond the Breath Magazine.

Astrologer, Breathwork Teacher, Cosmic Coach – a supportive guide for Soulpreneurs in life and business – May you remember your true nature and live in stress-free alignment

To find out more about Sharyn with a Why, take a look at her Profile in Practioners Corner

In Breath and Emotions

Sensitivity and the Breath:

28/10/2024 No Comments

Discovering the Strength in Feeling Deeply.

“Through the breath, we find our way back to ourselves – to the wisdom that whispers within, to the strength that lives in our sensitivity, and to the profound truth that we are enough, just as we are.”
— Lottie Evans

For much of my life, I felt like a stranger in my own body. I was out of tune with myself, with my emotions, and with the quiet whispers of my soul. Like many sensitive souls, I learned to mask my true nature, burying my sensitivity under layers of distraction, denial, and numbness. Society taught me that sensitivity is synonymous with weakness, that feeling deeply is something to be “fixed,” and that the way forward was to toughen up, to become someone I was not.

However, the more I tried to escape my sensitivity, the more disconnected, anxious, and overwhelmed I became. Caught in a cycle of self-criticism, I tried to erase parts of myself that were, in fact, my truest essence. My sensitivity, the very thing I sought to deny, called me back time and again, whispering, “Listen.”

It wasn’t until I discovered the breath – the simple, profound act of breathing with awareness – that I began to reconnect with my body and embrace my true nature.

Our breath is one of the most beautiful tools we possess, a constant companion throughout our lives. Yet, how often do we truly pay attention to it? How often do we notice the rhythm, depth, and texture of our breath as it moves through us?

For years, I breathed without thought, taking each inhale and exhale for granted. When I began to focus on my breath – to truly notice it – something incredible happened. I discovered that breath is not merely a physiological process; it is a gateway, a bridge between the body and the mind, the conscious and the unconscious.

By tuning into my breath, I began to hear my body’s wisdom, feel the emotions I had suppressed, and explore my inner landscape. The breath became my tool for understanding energy, soothing myself in moments of overwhelm, and finding clarity amidst confusion.

Through this journey with breath, I began to see my sensitivity as a gift rather than a burden. Sensitivity is not weakness; it is the profound ability to feel deeply, sense the subtleties of life, and connect with others on an emotional level. It is a strength, a superpower that allows us to live fully and experience the richness of being human.

For too long, I believed that being sensitive made me fragile and that my emotions were burdens to be managed or controlled. The breath taught me otherwise. It showed me that sensitivity, when embraced, is a source of wisdom, creativity, and deep connection.

The breath serves as an ally in helping us harness our sensitivity and acknowledge it as a strength.

The breath brings us back into our bodies. When we are sensitive, we often pick up on various external stimuli and can lose touch with our needs and feelings. The breath grounds us, reminding us to check in with ourselves. It allows us to notice where we hold tension, discomfort, or ease, fostering a direct conversation with our bodies.

Sensitivity often accompanies a highly active mind, constantly processing and analysing. When overwhelmed by thoughts or emotions, breath can anchor us. By focusing on the rhythm of inhale and exhale, we settle our minds, creating calm amidst chaos. Deep, slow breathing sends signals to our nervous system that it is safe to relax and be present.

Our breath is intricately connected to our energy. Shallow breathing restricts the flow of energy in our bodies, while deep, full breathing allows it to move freely. The breath helps us tune into our energetic state, guiding us to notice where we feel depleted or vibrant. By working with the breath, we can balance our energy, nourish ourselves, and ground ourselves when scattered.

For me, discovering the breath was like finding a hidden key to myself. It was a way back to my true nature, a way to listen to the parts I had tried to ignore. Through the breath, I learned that I don’t need to fight my sensitivity or change it. Instead, I need to embrace and honour it as my guide.
Sensitivity is not something to be “fixed.” It is a gift, allowing us to feel deeply, connect authentically, create passionately, and love fully. It is a source of strength, resilience, and empathy that can guide us through life’s challenges.

If you’ve ever felt that your sensitivity is a burden or tried to hide your emotions, I invite you to return to the breath. Let it be your guide. Start by taking a few moments each day to breathe with awareness. Notice the rise and fall of your chest, the cool air entering your nostrils, and the warmth as it leaves. Feel the rhythm of life connecting you to something greater. In this simple act, you honour the fullness of who you are.

Our sensitivity is a gift, and the breath is one of the most beautiful tools we have to harness it. Through breath, we learn to listen to our bodies, soothe our minds, understand our energy, and embrace our true nature.

Let’s stop seeing sensitivity as something to hide. Instead, let’s acknowledge it as the profound strength it is. Let’s use the breath to connect more deeply with ourselves, find peace in the present moment, and live with greater authenticity, compassion, and love.

Because when we breathe with awareness, we return home to ourselves – and in that space, everything is possible.

Remember, you are not alone on this path. Together, we can transform our sensitivity into our greatest strength, breathing life into our true selves, and celebrating the beauty of feeling deeply.

Naturally Lottie – Your HSP Hype Girl

To find out more about Lottie, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner