Ep. 42: Breathwork: Calm Your Nervous System, Reduce Anxiety + Increase Joy

What do you do in sobriety when you’re feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, angry or anxious? You need to calm the adrenaline coursing through your body, regulate what you’re feeling and restore peace - without pouring yourself a drink. Today I’m sharing a new sober tool to add to your toolbox. My guest is Jen Broyles, a Holistic Health Coach and SOMA Breathwork Instructor. Jen’s going to introduce us to Breathwork as a next-level meditation technique that can be a quick and effective way to calm your nervous system, rewire your brain, and release emotional trauma. Plus Jen’s going to lead us in a SOMA Breathwork Meditation - a complete holistic system of breathing techniques. SOMA Breath takes fundamental Pranayama techniques put into a sequence that combines rhythmic breathing to beat-driven music, for therapeutic function. In this episode, Jen and I discuss What is SOMA breathwork and what are the benefits of incorporating it into a daily health practice How women who are quitting drinking can use SOMA breathwork to support their physical, mental and emotional health The unconscious mind and stored trauma How to soothe your emotions by controlling your breathing How and when to practice breathwork The 3 phases of SOMA breathwork Benefits of SOMA Breathwork Awaken dormant functions of the brain. Enhance creativity and problem-solving. Create heightened states of consciousness and inspiration. Improve brain function and mind power. Cleanse and purify the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Stimulate self-healing. Reduce depression/anxiety. Clear negative imprints and traumas from early life (0-7 years). Reimprint your mind with more empowering beliefs and habits. Set intentions and create the motivation and energy to complete important goals. Self-realization: discover your true self and your deepest inner calling. 3 Key Phases of SOMA Breath Rhythmic breathing Inhale from the NOSE as much as possible Inhale into the BELLY as much as possible Breathe in a smooth RHYTHMICAL pattern Music is a great way to “train” rhythmic breathing, or Breathing in Beats Doing this creates a higher heart rate variability, which harmonizes your blood flow and balances all the systems in your body. This is the first step to gaining control over your emotions and to also trigger a state of self healing in the body Breath retention AKA intermittent hypoxia Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) is used to treat a range of disorders including high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson’s, emotional disorders, and more. the first Yogis – thousands of years ago – already knew about this. The most revered breathing technique of Pranayama lowers oxygen levels in the body for a brief period of time. Your body adapts to having less oxygen and starts to become more efficient in producing energy. This also where you put a positive stress response on the body making you more resilient to stressful situations. This is also a time to access your subconscious mind for you to fall deep into a meditative state and you can begin reprogramming imprints that hold you back from being at your best Awakening To Your Full Potential. Mula Bandha lock The Mula Bandha lock isolates and engages your pelvic floor muscles. In this phase you will hold all your breath in, lock your muhla bunda and rush blood flow and oxygen to our brain. This can have a powerful feeling of energy and excitement. This can awaken dormant parts of the brain helping to Increase creativity and cognitive Functions. Here’s how to do it: Gently squeeze your pelvic floor muscles. They include the genitals, the anus, and the perineum. These are the muscles that you use to hold in your urine. It’s the floor of your body. Hold the squeeze for about one second, then let go and fully relax. Repeat a few times or as much as you like. It should feel like a pulsing sensation as you engage and release the muscles. About Jen Broyles Jen helps individuals restore and optimize their health by calming the nervous system, reducing stress and awakening their inner healer. She recognizes that in an overstimulated nervous system, compromised, gut health and suppressed emotions lead to imbalances throughout the mind, the body and the spirit. Jen combines the healing power of breathwork essential oils and other holistic modalities to help clients create a lifestyle of health, vitality and freedom. Connect with Jen Broyles To find out more information about Jen and the services she offers, check out her website Jen Broyles - Breathwork, Essential Oils, Holistic Health To learn more about the Sacred Breath Community, head over to Sacred Breath Online Community Follow Jen on your favorite social media platform Facebook: Jen Broyles, CHC - Home Instagram: Jen Broyles | Holistic Coach (@jenbroyleshealthcoach) Twitter: Jen Broyles (@JenBroyles1) YouTube: Jen Broyles LinkedIn: Jen Broyles - Dallas, Texas | Professional Profile Connect with Casey McGuire Davidson Check out The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process. Grab your Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 Days Website: www.hellosomedaycoaching.com Instagram: Casey @ Hello Someday Coaching (@caseymdavidson)