Dr Jenny McClay
Breathing in flow for health and wellbeing
Coaching and support for mental and physical health with a focus on the healing power of the breath.
Most of us know that if we breathe slower, it'll help us feel calmer. It can be hard to remember to do it, but we know it works.
But did you also know there is a certain pace, or cadence, of breathing that brings your body's internal rhythms into balance? That changing how you breathe can bring oxygen into your cells more efficiently, putting less strain on your body? That there are ways to breathe to energise yourself and sharpen your focus?
Changing your breath changes your biochemistry.
Making your respiratory system more efficient impacts how you sleep, how you move, how you feel, how you experience pain.
And the more you practice using your breath, the easier and more automatic it becomes.
HOW WELL DO YOU BREATHE?
Many of us have unhealthy breathing patterns and we don't even know it. So many things influence our breathing - stress, diet, bad posture (often related to sitting at a screen too much), even genetics.
And also, the fact that we don't know any better.
When you think about it, of course how we breath is important for our health - our breath is what fuels our cells with oxygen. Its just as important as how well we eat, sleep and move (your quality of sleep and movement are closely linked to the quality of your breathing).
Most of us don't know how to make sure our breathing is healthy. We know about diet, sleep, exercise, but breathing is the missing piece in keeping us healthier for longer.
Photo by Emmeline T. on Unsplash
BREATHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH, REDUCING ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS AND CHRONIC STRESS.
Your breath is one of many rhythms of your body, entwined with the workings of your nervous system. When you are suffering with anxiety, panic and chronic stress, your nervous system is unbalanced and in a state of parasympathetic activation - 'fight or flight' as most of us know it.
When we are highly anxious and stressed, signals are sent throughout the body that we are in danger. All our body's rhythms shift to this new 'reality' that something is wrong. They are now in panic mode, sure there is literal, life threatening danger right here right now. You're tensed, tight, ready to take action to save your life from the predator your body assumes is causing the stress. Your rational 'thinking' brain takes a back seat and you are just reacting.
Of all the rhythms - heartbeat, digestion, blood flow - breath is the only one you can control. And you can use the breath to calm all the rest.
With breath you can soothe your nervous system, stimulate the vagus nerve, and spread the message throughout all your rhythms that you are safe, bringing you out of fight or flight, allowing your rational brain to come back online.
BREATHING FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH.
Your breath enters your lungs where it passes into the bloodstream to oxygenate cells and remove carbon dioxide (not just a waste product but a key player in how your respiratory system works). If we aren't breathing well, then this process of fuelling our cells isn't happening as efficiently and effectively as it should.
While you can find stories online of breathwork curing disease, it is not intended to replace modern medicine and appropriate treatments. What breathwork can do is help the body reduce inflammation, help to manage chronic pain, and improve functioning of the breathing systems to reduce asthma symptoms.
With better breathing you can improve your sleep, have more energy, build a stronger immune system, improve your focus and concentration, and develop a sense of calm and presence .
Your breath is at the core of you, your nervous system, your sleep, your exercise, your mind - and it is your tool to change all these things for the better.
SERVICES
Group sessions generally run online but can be in person. If you can, have a look at the videos online that explain how to get the best out of your session. No worries if you don't have time, key points are - wear something nice and comfy (especially around the middle), be somewhere quiet where you can lie down comfortably, breath through your nose, and try to leave your expectations of the session and yourself behind you and just take things as they come (see precautions and safety section to read about health conditions and breathwork - this will also be sent to you when you book).
£8/£5 low income
One to one breathwork sessions will start with a chat about what you want to get out of the session or sessions we will have.
£30/£20 low income
One to one breathwork and coaching this combines therapeutic power of breathwork with wellbeing coaching and support. In an agreed number of sessions we will use breath and coaching to help you move forward, gain acceptance, and find presence - guided by your needs and what you bring to the process. This will include practices designed for your needs to use between sessions and ongoing support from me. We'll also have a check in after we finish working together (suggested six months time) to see how things are going.
Price depending on how many sessions we agree, please do get in touch to find our more and see if it feels right for you.
About
Welcome to Breathflows.
Hi, I'm Jenny.
I found the power of the breath through yoga and cold water swimming (thank you Wim Hof!), and my background in neuroscience drew me further into the science behind it all. I continue to be surprised at just how powerful short, simple practices can be in resetting me and in shifting my mindset and mood. Time slows down and I can make the space that I need to regroup. These practices have been, and continue to be, so healing for me, and I'm grateful to be able to share them with you.
I am trained in traditional pranayama techniques. These yogic breathing methods can be gentle and soothing or strong and activating, and can be balanced and combined to meet your individual needs. For me, pranayama is about the flow of energy, presence, and connection to your deeper self. Practices can be long and meditative but can also be very short - five minutes in the morning can change your outlook completely. You can also use them in your daily life, once you learn these techniques that are always with you when you need them - it just takes practice.
Functional breathing techniques are about how you breathe normally - the mechanical, biochemical, and psychophysiological elements of each breath you take as you’re going about your day. So many of us have poor breathing habits and this can have a huge knock on effect on our health including our sleep, our concentration and focus, and our physical fitness.
I’m a busy parent (as all parents are) in a neurodivergent family with a mix of school and home educated kids and ongoing, shifting needs. For me, it's so important to make Breathflows accessible to people who struggle to attend groups and for whom getting out of the house at a given time is sometimes just not going to happen - and there are so many reasons this can be hard, kids being just one of many.
I offer one to one sessions online, and in person where possible. If you'd like more information or have any questions about how Breathflows can work for you, please do get in touch.
Precautions and safety
CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are many breathing practices that are accessible for everyone and these make up the majority of our practices. All breathwork results in physiological changes in the body and can result in intense physical and emotional release, and stronger practices are not recommended for some people for medical reasons. Therefore, for safety purposes, we ask people with the following conditions to discuss this with us as some practices may not be suitable for you:
• Epilepsy • Detached Retina •Recent surgery • Glaucoma • Osteoporosis that is serious enough whereby moving around actively could cause potential issues. • High Blood Pressure that is not controlled with medication. • Cardiovascular disease and/or irregularities including prior heart attack • Prior strokes or seizures • Pregnancy • Asthma • Any other medical, psychiatric or physical conditions which would impair or affect the ability to engage in any activities that involve intense physical and/or emotional release.
We do not ask you to disclose anything you may not feel comfortable sharing but please be aware that there can be intense emotional responses/release during breathwork, particularly stronger practices. Please let us know if you have experienced any trauma or mental health issues, with as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable with. Breathwork is a wonderful way to support your recovery, and with some knowledge of your journey we can best support you to use breathwork safely and to get the most out of your practice.
Participation in any of these Breathwork services is entirely at your own risk. These services are provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any warranty for information services, mentoring, uninterrupted access, or products and services provided through or in connection with the service. This service is requested at the client’s own choice and with inherent singular responsibility.
Contact
I offer one to one and group breathwork sessions and coaching (one to one generally £30 per hour, groups costs tba). Please do get in touch to find out more, and keep and eye on facebook/instagram for online sessions and courses coming soon.
www.instagram.com/breath_flows/
www.facebook.com/breathflows