About Breathwork

Breathwork is the generic term that covers all Breathwork practices from meditation to psychotherapy. It includes such practices as Qi Gong, Pranayama, Buyteko, Coherent Breathing and many many more. The foundation of Ann Harrison's work is awareness and conscious use of the breath in meditation, stress management, psychotherapy & spiritual evolution.

"Breathwork provides a meaningful, non-verbal path to self-knowledge, inner wisdom and health." AustraliaBreathworkAssociation
This means that trauma and memories which are lodged in the body are able to be accessed and in a safe way be brought to the surface of the conscious mind to be processed, resolved and integrated. The process is directed by the client and supported by the Breathwork practitioner.

Meditation

Focus. Concentration. Awareness with compassionate acceptance in present time.
This is the essence of all meditation.
The Millthorpe Meditation Centre offers:

• monthly chanting and meditation by donation

• individual breath awareness and meditation coaching

Breathwork: Conscious Connected Breathing

Interview with Ann Harrison

---

What is Breathwork and in what forms is it practised?
That is like asking – ‘what is life and in what forms is it practised”.  
Without the breath and breathing there is no human life - yet there are so many different ways of living and being – living and breathing. The goal of the Breathwork I practise is to be fully alive, in touch with yourself, free from destructive mental/emotional restrictions and limitations. The technique is simply flowing the breath - consciously connecting the in and out breaths.
At one end of the spectrum Breathwork is a psychotherapy – clients come to see me when they are stressed, or when their life is not working the way they would like. At the other end of the spectrum, awareness of the breath is a timeless spiritual practice. So, in one session clients might gain insight and understanding of their everyday situation, and at the same time experience an indescribable connection to the creative force of Life itself. This experience is transformative and gives them the strength to resolve issues that are holding them back.

Is there scientific evidence?
The beneficial effects of mindfulness, conscious breathing and awareness in creating physical, emotional and mental wellbeing is evidenced these days by a wealth of scientific data in the fields of neuroscience, medicine and psychology. A quick internet search will provide you with reputable academic papers giving evidence of how breathing in various ways and mindfulness positively effect physical, mental and emotional health. Recently, a quantitative study at the University of Queensland showed that after only 3 Breathwork sessions the clients with high anxiety and/ or depression regained scores within the normal population range.
Science, in my opinion, is just confirming what Breathwork practitioners have always known.
Breathwork, as a Conscious Connected Breathing technique, is totally holistic in its approach – focusing awareness on the connection between breath and body; and from there the mental/emotional connections. Breathwork can be said to be a form of psychotherapy. I have had many clients whose physical symptoms have disappeared when they have dealt with unresolved mental/emotional issues in their life.

How can breathwork help relieve stress and other emotional problems?
In an expertly guided Breathwork consultation we reverse the process of what happens in situations that literally take our breath away. If we receive a shock, like nearly getting run over while crossing the road, we momentarily hold our breath. If we are chronically stress, we shallow breath – and this adds to our lack of well-being. Strong emotion is very frequently accompanied by a momentary holding of our breath, and this seems to lock the accompanying emotions into the cells of our body. If they remain unprocessed our stress levels increase, or sometimes we can become depressed with the effort of ‘keeping a lid on it all’.

Can Breathwork increase one’s livelihood and wellbeing?
If you are not stressed or depressed and have access to all your inner resources, then you have all that is necessary to create the life you want.  This is what Breathwork does – it clears out the inner blockages and allows you to connect to the creative force of Life. You feel strong, know that you have choices and the ability follow through.

Are there similarities and differences between modern breathwork practices and ancient breathing techniques?
Throughout the centuries there have been those who focus on the mechanics of breathing and the physical body and its health. There is no doubt that there are many techniques that work at this level. At the same time, there have always been the wise ones who know that, while it is important to take care of our physical health, we are much more than our bodies, or our mind, or our emotions and there have been breathing techniques that connect us to That.

How are ancient concepts such as ‘chi’ and ‘prana’ incorporated into breathwork?
All the great traditions have a word that designates the Life Force that is contained within the breath. Chi in the Chinese word,  prana is the Sanskrit word used in the Indian tradition. We also have the Holy Spirit in the Christian tradition, and in the Hebrew ‘ruah’ means Spirit, and there are other Hebrew words meaning ‘breath’ and ‘soul’
I know that when I am working with the Breath I am working with Spirit, or more accurately my clients and I are finding a way to connect with something greater, and in that process the troubles of the world are resolved and put into perspective.
The Chinese work ‘xin’ – can be translated in English as either heart or mind. Breathwork is concerned with the things of the heart/mind and integrates mind body and spirit.

You have studied Tai Chi and meditation, how does breathwork enhance these modalities?
Awareness of the breath and the body is the essence of Tai Chi and is a fundamental meditation technique. In the Tai Chi classics, it is said that the breath follows the movement. What this mean is that there is an effortless flow of life and the awareness of one’s own connection with that flow. I was extremely fortunate to have studied with Masters Wu Ying Hua and Ma Yueh Liang in Shanghai in the mid 1980’s, and then come to Hong Kong and set up a retreat meditation centre in remote countryside in Sai King. My initial awareness came through Tai Chi, which is both a martial art, an exercise for health and a spiritual practise. Awareness of the life force, however it is gained, will necessarily enhance every aspect of an individual’s life.

What do you see for the future of Breathwork? are there any emerging trends?
There is no doubt that there is greater recognition and acceptance of the benefits of breathing practices and of being mindful of the connection between the body, mind, emotions and breath. The most recent research is about how breathing stimulates the vagus nerve and how that is essential for all levels of health and well-being
While each individual has to make their own way in life, training in Breathwork is undoubtedly a great boost. In Australia, I have been involved in gaining government accreditation for Breathwork Trainings and in creating a government recognised Breathwork college. Although now no longer in its government accredited form, the trainings are delivered through Breathwork Trainings

Breathwork is a deceptively simple yet profound method of finding balance and wholeness; practically integrating Spirit into everyday life.