A review by Lauren Akhurst
Stepping into the unknown always brings a mixture of excitement and curiosity, and trying out Breathrevolutions’ Somatic Breathwork session was no exception. The term ‘somatics’ had been on my radar for a while; I had seen the adverts online for somatic workouts and understood the basic principle that it could help to release stored stress and trauma from the body. So when I saw this session advertised at The Zen Space in Spalding, I knew I had to experience it for myself. Here’s an inside look at my first hand experience of trying Somatic Breathwork for the first time, and whether I think it’s really as transformational as some claim.
Upon arrival I was greeted by Breathrevolution facilitator, Andy with a warm welcome and open arms. The space looked exciting and inviting with psychedelic, neon lighting and the scent of sage filled the air. As we took our places on our yoga mats, we were introduced to what we could expect from the Somatic Breathwork session. A slight hint of nerves washed over me as the facilitator smiled and said ‘it’s not going to be what you expected’. At that moment, I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting. I had felt an innate calling to be there, guided by my intuition and curiosity. So whatever was about to happen, I was all-in.
The first part of the session was spent sharing Andy’s story of how he became a breathwork facilitator following a profound incident in an emergency room, which led him on a transformative journey of self-discovery through the power of breath. We were then given an overview of what the rest of the session would entail. Lots and lots…and lots of rapid breathing at a specific pace in order to induce a stress response within the body. The aim was to encourage the conscious mind to fall away, leaving the subconscious mind to step forward and work it’s magic. First, we take sharp inhales through the mouth and exhale through the nose for thirty minutes. Within these thirty minutes we will be holding our breath for up to one minute during a breath-hold, before switching to nasal breathing for the remaining thirty minutes.
Shortly after we began the first round of breathing, I felt myself becoming very aware of the physical sensation of tightness in my hands and lower body. My body felt as though it was squeezing itself under an immense amount of pressure that to be honest, was more than a little uncomfortable. The facilitator helped by guiding me into releasing through my voice during my exhales. At this point, I had no choice but to overcome my shame of being loud and disruptive to those around me. The moment I allowed myself to sink into a primal-type scream during my exhales, I felt a new level of release and self-connection as the tension began to melt away. My hands began to tremble and I felt the intuitive need to rapidly shake my hands at this point. Once I let go and followed my intuition my releases became deeper and I felt as though I was moving with the rhythm of my breaths.
By the time the sensation of tightness had passed, a flood of tears overwhelmed me and I felt the facilitator's hands gently cradling the crown of my head as I wept. He was using a range of tools to help me during these transformative moments such as tuning forks, tapping, a rattle and I’m sure there were many other elements I was unaware of as well. Whatever he was doing, it was helping. I felt safe. I felt supported. I felt, above all else, as though I truly was in the right place at the right time.
Thankfully, it was now time to transition from breathing in and out through our mouths, to nasal inhales and much slower, longer exhales. It was at this point that I began to feel more relaxed in comparison to the first half of the session. At times, an uncontrollable smile washed over me with every inhale, and tears of joy trickled from my eyes along with my extended exhales. I felt grateful. I felt blissful. I felt as though I was being given a glimpse of the true beauty and essence of who I was. My head intuitively began to rock from side to side and I felt the tension in my neck and shoulders release as though I were letting go of all of my burdens. I was feeling lighter and more in-tune with myself as the session came to a close, and with one final flow of tears, I was back in the room. Back in my body. Having had one of the most mind-blowing experiences of my life so far.
Upon reflection, the session showed me that I had been stuck in ‘freeze mode’ for a long time. At times I tried to move my limbs only to find they were so heavy, tight and immovable that I was quite literally - frozen. It wasn’t until I began to release through my breath that I felt this heavy energy leave my body, my muscles, my aura, and allowed me the freedom of movement and softness again. Whilst I have been aware for some time that energy can become stuck and stored in the body due to stress, anxiety and practically any other emotion we are capable of feeling - I was shocked by what my body had been holding on to. Having lived with anxiety for over a decade, it was eye-opening to see not only what impact this has had on my mind, but my entire body and being.
I can confidently say that Somatic Breathwork isn’t just about breathing to feel relaxed. It forms a gateway for us to engage in a dialogue with the mind and body. It opens up our hearts to the truth of who we came here to be, and helps us to shift and release the things that are not in alignment with that truth. It is empowering. It is eye-opening. And it is without a doubt, something truly transformational that I will continue to incorporate into my life, and an experience that I will never forget.
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