Breathwork 1:1

Do you identify as a women and do you feel it is time for change? You know very well that certain patterns and habits do not serve you, but it is difficult to break them. You know very well that certain patterns and habits are not serving you, but it is difficult to break them. You experience stress, frustration and/or anxiety. You are often tired, sleep poorly and feel as if you have lost connection with your body and intuition. Emotions can sometimes overwhelm you, or you actually find it difficult to get in touch with how you really feel. Breathwork, truffles and somtic work can gently and safely support you in navigating to the core of the problem, allowing you to reconnect with your true self.

Breathwork is suitable for a wide range of people who are looking for healing, growth and awareness. Here are a few examples of who can benefit from breathwork:

People who experience stress: We often experience stress due to a combination of circumstances. We may have been taught as children to always strive for perfection, or to be liked. These are behavioral patterns that have become ingrained in our system. As a result, our system is no longer very good at dealing with long-term external stressors.

Breathwork can help reduce stress and promote relaxation by teaching our sympathetic nervous system to handle higher activation without becoming overwhelmed. And this allows us to deal with stress better. And we can therefore complete the stress cycle, as it were (and not get stuck in it) and therefore really rest and recover through the activation of the (ventral part of the) parasympathetic nervous system.

People with anxiety or depression: Conscious breathing allows us to get in touch with feelings that we normally suppress or avoid. Breathwork teaches you to encounter difficult feelings and sensations with curiosity and openness.

This allows us to meet parts of ourselves that we normally judge negatively or are ashamed of and keep them company in acceptance and compassion.

This creates a deeper self-understanding and love for yourself.

People who are stuck in patterns or obstacles: Breathwork helps you to understand and feel how your own behavioral patterns showing up in the body. And to feel that there are also other ways to deal with our thoughts, emotions and sensations. It offers you a broader view of yourself, which ultimately allows you to let go of limiting beliefs and emotional blockages. that keep us from fully living and thriving.

People seeking personal growth: Breathwork can serve as a powerful tool for self-discovery, self-awareness and personal growth, allowing us to make deeper connections with ourselves and others.

In short, breathwork is suitable for anyone who is willing to make the journey inward and opens up to the possibilities of inner healing, growth and transformation.

Yes, although breathwork is generally safe, there are some contraindications that we should be aware of. Here are some situations where it may not be advisable to participate in a breathwork session without first seeking medical advice:

Cardiovascular disease: People with severe cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure should be careful, as some breathing techniques can increase heart rate and change blood pressure.

Epilepsy: Individuals with epilepsy may be sensitive to changes in breathing patterns, which in some cases can trigger a seizure.

Mental Illness: Individuals with serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or acute psychotic episodes should exercise caution as breathwork can induce intense emotional and psychological experiences.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women should use caution, especially with forceful breathing techniques, as they can affect blood flow to the uterus and possibly have unwanted effects on the fetus.

Recent Surgery: Individuals who have recently undergone surgery, especially of the chest, should exercise caution and consult with their physician before participating in breathwork.

Acute physical health problems: Individuals with acute physical health problems, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma attack, should wait until they have fully recovered before participating in breathwork.

It is always important to indicate any health or medical conditions on the intake form prior to a breathwork session and to discuss them during the online intake so that I can fully understand your situation and make adjustments to the session if necessary to ensure your safety.

Yes, breathwork is generally safe. I always ask you to complete a screening form. Because there are a number of contraindications (see question above).

It is important to work with an experienced facilitator with whom you feel comfortable, who can guide you through the process and provide a safe environment.

It is also important to discuss any health concerns or previous trauma before we begin so that I can tailor my approach to your needs.

We first start with your intention. What brings you to breathwork? We discuss habits and patterns in your life that you want to change. Perhaps this is a pattern or coping behavior that stems from your childhood or a specific moment in your life. In a somatic exploration we investigate how your body holds all this. This could, for example, be a tight feeling in the throat or a heavy feeling in the stomach.

In this inquiry, we take the time to notice and return to these sensations. You slow down and take the time to describe sensations as you follow them.  Then you see whether it is possible to allow the sensation completely and whether it is possible to stay with it. During this exercise, you can sometimes already notice a shift in your system.

Then we dive deeper and add the connected breathing technique to the session. It is a simple technique in which the breather consciously connects the inhalation with the exhalation without pauses.

The connected breathing brings more activation to the system and allows people to sink deeper into the body and get out of the head. The higher activation in the system allows you to experience your blockages more clearly, follow the sensation and stay with what comes up.

A common experience during a session is emotional or physical release. This may include waves of sadness, outbursts of anger, or tremors of fear. With the release of emotion can come slow, silent tears or deep sadness. Sometimes it can feel like an unsettling emotional roller coaster or a physical release and at other times it can feel extremely relaxing.

Whatever your journey, this trauma-informed work will gently and safely support you in navigating to the core of the problem, allowing you to reconnect with your true self.

The individual breathwork sessions take place in my practice room at home.

My practice space is in the garden. I ensure that the space is free of distractions and external stimuli, so that you can fully concentrate on your breathing and inner journey.

This varies from person to person and depends on your individual goals and needs. Some people experience benefits after just one session, while others will need about three sessions to go deeper and see long-lasting changes. We can delve deeper into this question in the online intake, because it very much depends on what your question is.

I certainly do group sessions for private groups for private individuals and companies. It is best to send me a message via the contact form or send me an email to essa.bloemers@gmail.com

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