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Breathwork: The Pause Your Mind Has Been Waiting For
If there’s one phrase that I chose to guide me through 2025, it’s: slow down.
Easier said than done when you’re naturally active, constantly juggling kids, work, and life. I’ve always found it hard to pause. But sometimes, the most powerful medicine is already within us. For me, that medicine was my breath.
How It All Started
One day, while chatting at my children’s school, my friend Emma told me she had just finished her training to become a Breathwork facilitator. She was starting her practice and offering sessions to friends, so I volunteered, not really knowing what to expect.
My first session with her was like opening a hidden door. I left feeling lighter, calmer, and unexpectedly clear-headed. I booked a few more sessions with her because the difference was that noticeable. But life moved us to France, and I had to find an alternative. That’s when I discovered the Breathwrk app and it’s been my pocket-sized teacher ever since. It’s simple, it’s guided, and it’s even won awards for making Breathwork accessible to everyone.
Why Breathwork?
We breathe all day, every day, but how often do we actually notice our breath? The truth is, most of us spend our lives shallow-breathing, stuck in stress mode without realising it. Breathwork is about consciously using the breath to influence the body and mind.
With just a few minutes of intentional breathing, you can:
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Calm your nervous system and release tension.
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Steady your heart rate and blood pressure.
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Improve focus and mental clarity.
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Boost energy when you’re tired.
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Support better sleep at night.
It’s like a remote control for your body.
Depending on how you breathe, you can shift from wired and anxious to calm and grounded, or from sluggish to energised.
My Sauna Ritual
Because I often forget to slow down in the middle of busy days, I attach Breathwork to something I already do: my evening sauna. (If you’ve read my article on my evening routine, you know that buying my infrared sauna was one of the best health investments I’ve ever made.)
When I step into the heat, I make a conscious choice: at least 5 minutes of Breathwork. Some days I choose calming exercises, other days something energising. The Breathwrk app makes it so easy. I just scroll, press play, and follow along. It feels like having a teacher right there with me, guiding me into exactly what I need.
How Breathwork Works
There are many different styles of Breathwork, and that’s what makes it so powerful. A few you’ll often find in the app:
Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. Navy SEALs use this for calm under pressure, and it’s amazing for stress and focus.
Energising Breath
Quick, powerful inhales and exhales (a bit like a bellows). Fantastic if you’re feeling sluggish and need a lift without coffee.
4-7-8 Breathing
Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Perfect before bed to quiet the mind and relax the body.
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Gently closing one nostril at a time as you breathe. A traditional yogic practice that balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Coherent Breathing (5-5)
Breathe in for 5, out for 5. This balances the nervous system and improves heart-rate variability.
Each technique works slightly differently, but they all bring you back to the same truth: when you control your breath, you can influence how you feel.
Why I Love the Breathwrk App
Of course, you can learn these techniques anywhere, but the Breathwrk app puts everything in one place. Whether I want calm, energy, focus, or better sleep, there’s a short, guided practice waiting for me. The voice and visuals make it effortless to follow along. No overthinking, no wondering if I’m doing it right, just breathing, guided.
It’s become my way of keeping my 2025 intention alive: slowing down. And the best part? It takes minutes. No equipment, no prep, just your breath.
Tips If You’re Curious to Try
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Start small
Even 2 minutes can make a difference.
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Attach it to something
For me, it’s the sauna, but maybe it’s before your morning coffee.
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Notice the shift
Pay attention to how you feel before and after, the difference becomes motivating.
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Make it fun
Try different styles until you find what you love.
Why It Matters
In a world that constantly asks us to do more, Breathwork is about doing less. It’s not another supplement or product, it’s a tool you already carry inside you. With just a few guided minutes, you can feel calmer, more present, and more resilient.
If you’re curious, I really encourage you to explore the Breathwrk app. It’s simple, effective, and feels like a breath of fresh air in daily life.
With love, Sakina- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
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