An Accelerated Modality for Healing & Enlightenment

BREATHWORK

THUS SAYTH THE DIVINE TO THESE WEARY BONES…

“BEHOLD! If you seek it, I will infuse you with Sacred Breath so that you may come to life again and again.”

I

THE BASICS OF

BREATHING

  • Breathing is a truly complex, miraculous ability, gifted to us as soon as we arrive in the world. In short, we were never taught how to breathe; it’s simply an intuitive “knowing” that occurs (on average) 20,000 times each day. Yet, most of us are neither breathing properly nor breathing deep enough which has a visceral effect on our bodies and our emotions.

  • We also possess another intuitive “knowing,” (or stress response). This internal “fight or flight,” when appropriately activated, is a loving and wise safety-conscious navigational tool. But, this response becomes disproportionately activated/overworked by daily stress/events, as well as lingering or unresolved hurt/trauma affecting breath rate/depth over time.

  • By inadvertently adopting a stress-induced (often shallow) pattern of breath, the potency of this wise and protective stress response begins to dilute, which can symptomatically manifest in the form of a suppressed immune system. As a result, a palpable toll is taken not only on our physical health but our emotional and mental health as well.

If you want to observe incredible breathing in its purest form, watch a newborn. They naturally practice deep, or diaphragmatic breathing by using the diaphragm, a muscle located directly under the lungs, to pull air into the lungs.

First, their belly expands and seamlessly flows into the rising of their chest as they pull air into the lungs. If you place your hand on their belly, you can feel it contract as they release and exhale.

II

COMPLICATIONS OF LONG-TERM

SHALLOW BREATHING

When we breathe in a shallow way (usually through our nose), the body falls into a continual "cause and effect" state of stress— stress elicits shallow breathing, and our shallow breathing elicits stress.

This sets off our

SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM…

the branch of the autonomic nervous system that primes us for activity and response. Most know this activation as "fight or flight.”

Over time, shallow breathing transforms from merely a stress response to a stress habit that locks our brain into believing it to be our modus operandi for physiological functioning and survival.

Chronic stress that develops in the wake of long-term shallow breathing results in lower amounts of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps to defend the body from invading organisms, and lowers the amounts of proteins that signal other immune cells. The body is then increasingly susceptible to contracting acute illnesses and prolonging healing times.

If you’re in a state of continual stress, the hormone cortisol continues surging through your body because your body believes it’s being threatened (which directly impacts your ability to authentically interpret and respond to the "fight or flight" part of you). Cortisol not only hampers the immune system response, but also the regions of your brain that control mood, motivation, and fear.

III

BREATHWORK AND THE

SOMATIC RESPONSE

Everything that “is” contains energy, and energy abides by a very important natural law…

ENERGY NEEDS TO MOVE.

Blocked and held emotions are stored in the body as tension and inflammation. As you flood the body with breath, you temporarily create an unstable energy environment within the body. Suddenly, the bonds that were holding old emotions in place destabilize and open the gates to potentially release significant amounts of stuck energy.

This activates a visceral and powerfully reactive somatic response. As this energy is stimulated and encouraged once again to flow, something miraculous happens. Our ability to tap into life-changing information, awareness, and wisdom comes online, thereby ushering in transformational change while allowing healing to spread.

IV

BREATHWORK BEGINNER

FAQ’S

  • It’s highly recommended that you experience this modality under the guidance of a highly-trained facilitator. The experience itself has the potential to be quite intense and emotional, and you want a skilled practitioner to wisely navigate you through the entire session, continuing on through the equally important process of integration.

    I also recommend that Breathwork participants integrate this modality with ongoing growthwork outlets (coaching, therapy/counseling, structured spiritual practices, support groups, etc.)

  • Diaphragmatic, “belly breathing” paced by (2) breaths in through your mouth for 2-counts, and a 2-count exhale (again, through the mouth). If you want experience the pattern/rhythm, follow these steps for (3) sequences:

    1. Lie on your back with one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest.

    2. Take a sharp, deep breath in while pushing out your stomach as far as you can (the hand on your stomach will move out and the hand on your chest will remain still).

    3. Take in a second breath, this time filling your chest up with air.

    4. Exhale through the mouth (you should feel your stomach pulling back in).

    5. Remember to keep your chest and shoulders still, and repeat (3) times in a row.

  • II. GROUP BREATHWORK DAY

    PERFECT if you…

    • are willing to be a supportive sitter for your partner before or after your session

    • struggle getting into the proper energetic space without being fueled/supported by safe, collective energy

    • prefer to “lean in” to a longer, more experiential modality

    • enjoy the relational/bonding/sharing aspect of the process

    • group Breathwork days are typically held in groups of 8-12 and can last anywhere from 5-6 hours with a light meal in between sessions; everyone will partner up and will take turns being the “sitter” for each other

    II. INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE SESSION

    PERFECT if you…

    • desire privacy/individual attention

    • are working through a life transition or stuck around a decision

    • want an energetic refresh

    • are ready to deepen your connection to your breath want added coaching for whatever is going on in your life

    • need therapeutic support

    • are short on time (most appointments are completed in 2-2.5 hrs)

    III. COUPLES SESSIOBN

    PERFECT if you…

    • desire to seek inner wisdom and transformation of self FIRST in order to grow, enhance, and/or heal your relational dynamic and grow closer to one another

    • want to work on your understanding, awareness, and empathy for one another

    • desire a more authentic bond with each other

    • not exclusive to romantic partnerships; friendships, co-workers, and family members are also eligible

  • I completely understand! One of the most common pieces of client feedback that I receive expresses immense appreciation for the time and care spent educating, practicing, and discussing before every single session (not just your first one!). Our journeys continue, and it’s important to me that all of my clients feel comfortable and informed so that they can fully release, receive, and refine.

    • GROUP BREATHWORK ($149-$249 / session)

    • INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE ($199 / session)

    • COUPLES/PARTNERS ($349 / session)

    • DISCOUNTED “NEW YEAR” 4-SESSION BUNDLE ($599) *Individual, Group, or a combo of the two

    I always try to insure that every Group Session has space to offer a personalized sliding scale to anyone experiencing extreme financial distress. Please contact Erica directly if you need to discuss a more flexible payment structure due to hardship.

V

A MESSAGE FROM

ERICA

WHAT SETS MY BREATHWORK APART ?

In short, a steadfast commitment to provide thoughtful, elevated, and innovative experiences.

I do so by creating fluid, evolving experiences infused with the personalized enrichment that the Integrative Intuition methodology is known for. In every single session, for example, I provide education, coaching, sitter training (for parter/group work), guided meditation, custom audio and sound therapy (just to name a few) to enhance and refine your experience from beginning to end. This is a journey, and I'm here to journey alongside you for what duration you may need.

Another added benefit is the fact that my clients also have the unique opportunity to become direct beneficiaries of my ongoing Graduate/PhD studies in Research Neuropsychology. I believe that anyone is capable of transformation. But if you’re like me, I grew tired and frustrated with change that simply wasn’t sustainable or enrichable. Therefore, I believe that in order to help influence and usher-in lasting and enrichable change, I must commit to continual education, inquiry, and creation.

I am incredibly passionate about circulating this modality far and wide with exclusive, inimitable personalized experiences provided in every session. Therefore, I do what I can to establish affordable and flexible options for those in need. The journey of incorporating regular Breathwork sessions into your life is powerfully transformative, and the best part is that you FEEL the change working though you from the inside, out after your first session! I look forward to supporting you as you tap into the sacred wisdom that’s readily available to you RIGHT NOW.

In this together,

— Erica