Yin Breath Prescription for Yang World
There’s no denying we live in a Yang-centric world. The overall world focus is not generally on balance but on doing more, achieving faster and multi-tasking more efficiently. There’s also no denying that things are amiss in our world. We are experiencing peak levels of stress, depression, anxiety, obesity and suicide by youth. We can barely breathe; at times we even say we’re too busy to come up for air. We long for change, for balance, for peace but mostly we keep doing and focusing on Yang-centered goals, therapies and lifestyles.
Let’s get real: we ALL need balance in our lives. It is necessary to work and do but it is also necessary to rest, be still and restore. When we focus our minds more on the doing, we only add more Yang to already too much Yang. There is another way (many actually) but one in particular this post will discuss.
To find balance in Yang, we need to go Yin. I recently had first-hand experience in what it really means to dive deep into a Yin re-set and use the softness of the breath to generate healing. As a result, I am now grateful to offer a new modality to my toolbox of services: Yin Body-Based Breathwork. All of the numerous styles of breathwork I’ve explored and shared in the past are what I would now call Yang in nature, compared to this Yin style of breathwork.
Two weeks ago I attended a breathwork retreat in Virginia with the intention to heal myself of months of debilitating digestion issues that came on “out of the blue” and no professional had been able to resolve. So I resolved to use what I know works for all that ails us: facilitated breathwork by providers I know and trust. I booked the continuing education workshop retreat. My external and internal transformation from 3 Yin Breathe sessions was so astounding, people I had never met before at the retreat made special mention of how witnessing the fulfillment of my intention through the breathwork taught them the transformative power of this work.
Though I practice daily breathwork and have for many years now, what I received at the retreat was a totally different style - it’s actually Yin and not Yang like all the other breath techniques I've ever encountered. All other forms of breathwork I've encountered try to make things change. This does not try to do anything other than breathe comfortably in a full circular pattern. Also, Yin Body-Based Breathwork is facilitated instead of done on one’s own, like most other techniques. When I was able in the second Breathe to stop trying to heal myself and just let myself breathe, this soft, gentle easy breath healed me instantaneously.
Over the previous 4 months, I had lost over 30 pounds due to inability to eat and digest due to extreme abdominal pain. I had lost all of my usual robust energy and “lust for life.” I was exhausted all the time and could barely think right from it. I had consulted acupuncturists, food healers, tried various qigong remedies and even finally submitted to paying over $3000 out of pocket for diagnostics that showed "nothing unusual." No one was able to provide relief for my varying symptoms. But then I breathed, supported by trained facilitators and a roomful of new-found friends. And all the pain I had felt for months in my abdomen quite suddenly and noticeably just stopped. I cautiously began trying “normal” foods and found it didn’t hurt to eat anymore. At this writing, my digestion has returned to it’s normal, healthy state. All from Yin Body-Based Breathwork, not the digestive supplements and mixtures, not the Yang breathing techniques, not the needles or even the best Western doctor I think I’ve ever encountered. It was my own breath that healed me.
I am so grateful to now offer this healing technique to others in person as an online bookable service on my website. There is too much to say about how breathing affects us to give a full understanding in this brief post. As briefly as I can . . . : Our breath is the fuel that powers every system we have from every physical system like digestion, muscle function, heartbeat and immunity to brain plasticity & executive functions, the limbic/emotional system, our energy, and even our Spirits, which is why we say things like “a breath of fresh air” meaning we are renewed in spirit. By understanding the various mechanisms of how breathing influences each of our systems, we can choose to breathe in ways that affect our brains more or our parasympathetic/calming nervous system more and even influence our sleeping and waking cycles with the breath we choose.
Yin Body-Based Breathwork uses a gentle, circular breath that is nourishing and can have far-reaching affects on specific systems that are out of balance and also can augment our overall well-being and lives. To be honest, I felt high for over a week after leaving the retreat JUST FROM BREATHING in this way!! Like mine, many experience the results of this breathwork much longer than just the 2 hour session itself.
Fear not! We don’t do 2 hours of straight up breathwork! That would be very Yang and over-the top! The sessions are structured to allow ample time for discussion and integration during and after the "work." First we use specific forms of movement known to reset the nervous system and take it out of sympathetic fight/flight mode and bring it to homeostasis. Then we use internal sound healing techniques to prepare the respiratory system. The 3rd step in our process is to connect through the heart to establish a stable support for your 40 minute breathe.
It’s called “Body-Based” because as a licensed massage therapist, I understand the anatomy of breathing and am able to provide various forms of touch that assist the body to breathe better. It is specific, minimal and non-invasive touch, very different from a massage style.
Because the breath affects every system, it is impossible to say how the session will affect you personally. Some people notice physical changes, some notice old mental habits falling away without effort, some find a new sense of freedom throughout every day life and some, like me with very focused intent, can recieve what might be called “a miracle cure and rebirth.” I was changed forever by those 3 Breathe sessions. Not only was my gut healed, but my heart opened in a way I’ve never known before—utterly priceless!!! If you attend my live classes you probably have noticed I am not the same as before I left "on vacation." Some of you have even mentioned it in class, it's become so obvious. My whole life was upgraded by 3 simple easy breathe sessions.
But don’t just take my word for it, I offered 3 free “practice sessions” when I returned from my retreat, while it was all still fresh in my mind. Here’s what they have reported experiencing from this work.
Testimonials
“I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little nervous . . . As Lea described the process I felt very comfortable. Lea has an amazing way of creating a safe space and making you feel as if you are the only person that matters in the world at that moment. I feel [my] intention was achieved. Two days after the experience, I am still feeling the effects as it make a big difference. I highly recommend.” Lara H.
Three days after: “The work is still unfolding. . . . Never experienced anything like this before. . . Other forms of breathwork have ALWAYS left me anxious, even gentle ones. This did not. It was quite profound. . . . I don’t have words yet.” W.W.
Four days after: “Your breathe session was very special. Your guidance was much appreciated. I have done a 40 minute session on my own to see how it would go. I want to pay for another session with you!” N.H.
If you are intrigued and have questions, call or email me: BeachsideQi@gmail.com. Sessions are offered on a sliding scale of $50 - $200 to best serve all, regardless of income. Standard fee for a session of this length and quality is around $150; results often go beyond monetary value. Online booking for Yin Body-Based Breathwork sessions is now available on my website here: Book Now.
If you’d like to learn more about different breathing techniques, I highly recommend these
FANTASTIC RESOURCES:
Book: Breath: The New Science of the Lost Art by James Nestor (best book I’ve ever read on breathing.) On Amazon Here
Book: Surfing the Sea of Chi by Lea Williamson. (About how I used breathwork to overcome fear and learn to surf at age 40!!) On Amazon Here
Free Apps: iBreathe And Breathing Zone. Informative, programable timers and quick, easy to use breathing techniques like “Calm,” “Wake,” “Sleep.”
Videos: The Breathwork Collection - A few informative talks on breathing and MANY videos on just a few of the breathing techniques I’ve shared through the years. Access Here
May you always breathe easy!
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