Our live, virtual EMPOWER Breathwork sessions last for approximately 60 minutes. They are hosted using Zoom conferencing software. We start by giving a short introductory talk, followed by a 30-minute breathwork session listening to powerful, evocative music. This deep fast breathing, while being bathed in the sound of carefully chosen music, allows you to quiet the thinking mind and access your amazing inner intelligence. After the session, there will be time for some of the participants to share their Breathwork experience with the group. 

Breathwork creates both a physiological and psychological impact on the brain. Physiologically, CO2 is dumped from your body with a lot of breathing. When the body compensates, the process of CO2 creation lowers blood acidity so you blood becomes more alkaline. 

 

The lower CO2 results in decreased O2/Blood flow to some parts of the brain including parts of the Frontal Cortex (FC). This area plays a role in the creation of mental constructs, the most important of which is the Self, or Ego. When activity in the FC falls off significantly, the ego mind can temporarily vanish. 

 

The FC also normally exerts inhibitory influence on other parts of the brain including the limbic regions that involve emotion and memory. When the FC is calmed, there is more activity in these regions which allows emotions and memories, including childhood traumas, to float from the unconscious to the surface of awareness so they can be worked on, processed and released. 

 

In addition, during Breathwork, participants are instructed to give themselves permission to release. This has a powerful impact on the psyche and can result in an experience starting for a participant even before the breathing starts. 

If you are a first-time participant, you are required to read a PDF file entitled ‘Preparing for EMPOWER Breathwork’. It will be sent to you after you sign up. 

 

Set Fifteen minutes in advance of your session to prepare successfully. 

 

You will need to set up your space. 

 

You will be able to do the session either sitting in a comfortable chair or laying down. If you are lying down, please make sure to have enough space around you so that if you move around you will not bang into anything, especially around your head area. 

 

Make sure you will not be disturbed during the session, so turn off your phone and put a “do not disturb” sign on your door if there are other people in your home. 

 

The better the internet connection, the better the sound quality of the music will be. 

 

Speakers or headphones work best for your session. You’ll want the music volume to be high enough to make you feel that you are being bathed in the sound but not so loud that it distorts. 

 

Sound quality without earphones or ear buds is generally unacceptable. 

 

You might want a blindfold or you can just close your eyes if you prefer. 

 

Having tissues, a bottle of water, and a cup nearby in case you feel like you have to spit, are also recommended. 

 

It is ideal to do breathwork when your stomach is not too full. It is suggested to not eat anything at least 60 minutes before your session if possible, or, if you do, to just eat something very light. 

Yes, Breathwork results in certain specific physiological changes in the body and also can result in intense physical and emotional release. Therefore, for safety purposes, we do not allow persons with the following conditions to participate in a breathwork session: 

 

1. Pregnancy 

2. Epilepsy 

3. Asthma (*must have medication with you just in case) 

4. High Blood Pressure that is not controlled with medication. 

5. Cardiovascular disease and/or irregularities including prior heart attack. 

6. Use of prescription blood thinning medications. 

7. Strokes, seizures, TIAs or other brain/neurological condition or disease. 

8. History of aneurysms in immediate family. 

9. Prior diagnosis by a health professional of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. 

10. If you have a current diagnosis by a healthcare professional of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

(PTSD), we recommend you check with your healthcare professional before participating. 

11. Hospitalization for any psychiatric condition or emotional crisis. 

12. Any other medical or physical conditions which would impair or affect ability to engage in any activities that involve intense physical and/or emotional release. 

 

Please email Leo Daniel at leo@innate-strength.com if you are unsure whether one or more of the above apply to you. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Confidentiality is important in these sessions so that all participants feel safe to share their experiences and be fully self-expressed during their breathing sessions. In order to be allowed to participate in one of our workshops, you must agree to not discuss any other participant’s experience or anything that another person shares in a way in which that participant can in any way be identified and also to not audio or video tape any portion of the session. 

Below are our suggestions for supporting your integration process after your Breathwork session. If, after reading through them, you have any questions, you can email us at:  

leo@innate-strength.com  

 

1. Be Gentle with Yourself 

2. Perform Restorative Activities 

3. If it feels right, share your experience with someone you trust. 

4. Avoid making important or rash decisions. 

5. Make friends with your emotions, positive or negative. 

 

See the emailed information leaflet to learn more about post-breathwork integration once you sign up.