The Healing Power of Breath – A Path to Transformation
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Nina, founder of Inner Balance Company, shares the transformative power of breathwork and Kundalini to support balance, awareness, and energy. Her sessions offer a calm, grounded space to reconnect and move toward inner balance.
We rarely pause to notice our breath, even though it is always with us, reflecting our inner state. The way we breathe directly influences how we feel and think, and affects how we connect with ourselves and others.
Breathing fully and consciously can become the key to releasing long-held tension, emotional blocks, and even stored trauma.
Breath as a mirror of our inner state
When our breath flows freely, we feel more relaxed, open, and in tune with ourselves. When it’s not in flow, we’re often holding back in other areas too. The breath mirrors what’s going on beneath the surface, often before we fully realize it. Recognizing this is where transformation begins.
The role of breath in our physical and emotional health
When stress or tension builds, often arising from challenging situations or unresolved emotions, the body unconsciously holds its breath as a protective mechanism. This response helps us avoid or suppress uncomfortable emotions, especially those that feel overwhelming or too painful to process at the moment. While the mind may ignore them, the body retains what’s unresolved, manifested as physical tension. When stress lingers, tension accumulates, limiting the flow of our breath and making it harder for the body to relax and release emotions.
Releasing tension through conscious connected breathing
Conscious Connected Breathing allows the body to release deeply held tension by bringing the breath into areas that feel tight or closed off. As these areas begin to soften, the body naturally relaxes. This relaxation makes it easier for stuck emotions to rise to the surface and be released. Over time, the body unwinds and finds its way back to a more balanced, open state.
The science behind breathwork
Studies show that breathwork can have a profound effect on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Deep, conscious breathing massages our internal organs and facilitates the release of accumulated tension and blockages, enhancing overall health. This practice activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and lowering adrenaline levels, promoting relaxation and supporting the body's recovery.
James Nestor’s book Breath explores how the way we breathe affects our physical and emotional well-being. His work highlights the impact of dysfunctional breathing patterns and how consciously shifting the breath can support stress reduction, emotional balance, and overall vitality.
Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, emphasizes the role of the body in trauma recovery. His work suggests that breathwork and other body-based therapies play a crucial role in healing by helping us process past emotional wounds stored in the body.
Breathwork nurtures our spiritual well-being, helping us connect with our inner selves, fostering peace, balance, and a deeper sense of awareness.
Physiology of conscious breathing
During a conscious connected breathing session, you exhale more carbon dioxide while taking in more oxygen. Because carbon dioxide plays a key role in helping your body absorb oxygen, its temporary reduction makes it more difficult for your cells to take in oxygen, creating a mild imbalance. This disruption triggers several physiological processes, such as changes in blood pH, improved circulation, and activation of the stress response. These processes support the body’s reset. Once your breath returns to its natural rhythm and integration occurs, the body absorbs oxygen more efficiently, and the effects of the session continue to support recovery and vitality long after. The result: faster recovery, improved performance, and greater overall vitality.
The role of conscious breathing in daily life
Breathing is the simplest and most powerful tool we have for maintaining balance and health. In today’s fast-paced world, we often go through our days without awareness of how we breathe. We get distracted by external stresses or carry emotional burdens without realizing how they affect our breath and our bodies. Regular breathwork, even just a few minutes each day, can help reset our bodies, bringing us back to the present moment and supporting well-being.
Why breathwork is a healing journey
By creating space to release these blockages, we allow ourselves to open up to growth and transformation; We gain insight into emotional patterns, release past tensions, and build resilience. The process of release can vary from person to person, depending on individual experiences, intentions, and the unique ways in which trauma is stored and interpreted. As we cultivate self-awareness, we build resilience, heal from past wounds, and foster a deeper sense of wholeness within ourselves.
Creating space for change
Breathing consciously helps us move through life with more ease and emotional freedom. Healing is a process that unfolds over time, and in a safe, supportive space, you can reconnect with yourself at your own pace. Whether you’re releasing blockages, gaining clarity, or processing difficult emotions, each breathwork session helps you move forward. Years of suppressed emotions and unresolved experiences can create deep blockages, and it often takes more than one session to begin addressing these layers. A series of sessions provides the space and consistency required for lasting transformation.
What happens during a conscious connected breathing session
A session starts with a coaching conversation to set your intention, followed by an explanation of the breathing technique. The active phase helps release tension and stored energy, sometimes bringing up physical sensations or emotions. It concludes with relaxation, allowing the body to integrate and feel grounded.
While breathwork can lead to deep emotional release, it doesn’t always have to be intense. It can also be a simple way to relax and reset the body.
Conclusion
Breathwork is a powerful tool for healing and transformation. By consciously connecting with our breath, we can release tension, break emotional blockages, and create space for healing. Whether processing trauma or managing stress, breathwork fosters inner peace, personal growth, and emotional freedom.
Through consistent practice, we restore our connection to the body, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves. This process may take time, but with patience, we move toward living with greater ease, clarity, and resilience.
Note: This approach is inspired by techniques used in Transformational Breath®, but is not affiliated with the official Transformational Breath® Foundation. While breathwork can be deeply healing, it is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological care. If you’re experiencing intense trauma, emotional instability, or have specific health conditions, please consult a qualified healthcare provider before engaging in intensive breathwork practices.
Read more from Nina Schlaghecke
Nina Schlaghecke, Breathwork & Kundalini | Holistic Facilitator
Hi, I’m Nina, the founder of Inner Balance Company. Through breathwork and Kundalini, I guide people toward more balance, awareness, and energy in everyday life. These practices have brought me emotional resilience and a deeper connection with myself. A foundation that now shapes how I guide others. My guidance is personal and grounded, helping you reconnect with yourself and move forward with clarity and confidence. Each session is shaped around your needs and offers a calm, supportive space for real growth.
