Breathe better transforming your breathing is the key to boosting your wellbeing, says expert stefanie helene

We all know that the way we feel can affect how we breathe. Ever been anxious or stressed and noticed the short, shallow, rapid breaths that follow? Well, it works both ways; the way we breathe can have a huge impact on how we feel, too. “Oxygen is our main source of energy; every cell in our body needs oxygen to function optimally,” says Stefanie Helene, a Transformational Breath facilitator (theoyaenergy.co.uk). “If we do not breathe properly, our entire body is deprived of oxygen, which can lead to tiredness, immune system deficiencies, digestive issues, a build-up of toxicity, and so much more.”

Enter Transformational Breath, founded by Judith Kravitz over 45 years ago – a conscious, connected diaphragmatic breathing system that not only works on the physical impact of our breath, but the emotional, mental and spiritual impact too. When done correctly, this type of breathwork can even help to integrate emotional traumas or blockages that are stored in the body, freeing us up to be our most mindful selves. Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it?

So, how does it work? Unlike many other forms of breathwork, which are normally practised alone, Transformational Breath is a hands-on modality, where a practitioner guides you through the process. “As physical blockages to the natural flow of breath are identified in a person’s body, manual pressure is used to help release tension as the person continues to breathe,” explains Stefanie. “Sound and movement are also used to encourage the softening of the defence mechanisms, thus allowing the breath to access deeper levels of emotions. This can help free these emotions that have been repressed or suppressed in the person’s very subconscious mind.”

Although it is recommended you work with a facilitator to begin with, Transformational Breath can be practised on your own after a few sessions, and certainly after you have taken the course in self-facilitation. Even after your first session it is recommended you do three to five minutes of conscious connected breathing in the belly on a daily basis.

What to expect

In a session, Stefanie uses coaching techniques to establish why the person has come to see her. After taking down some medical history and getting to know them, she will ask them to lie down and begin the analysis of their breath. “In Transformational Breath, we look for three basics in the breath and use our tools and techniques to make sure they happen: we breathe through the mouth during the session and w