Last week, I was chatting with a client who shared that she'd had a stressful work day. While overwhelming work days are not foreign to her, what made this particular day different was when her sport watch buzzed to alert her of her increased heartrate and asked if she "wanted to record this workout."

Folks, she was seated in a meeting. She wasn't out for one of her zen-inducing runs.

But her heart perceived fight or flight overload and began pumping faster. And as her heartbeat quickened, nausea came to visit too. She didn't have a panic attack, but felt dang close to one.

Her situation reminded me of the day last October when I DID have a panic attack. While driving. Through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Tunnel as in no escape, no place to pull over. Tunnel as in "tunnel through" and try not to wreck the car.

What saved me? Breathwork I'd practiced for years in yoga and meditation, in particular a breath that invites a slow, lengthened exhalation. I'd practiced enough that it was second nature and, without me thinking, my body shifted from panicky to more peaceful and focused with this style of breathing. I call it the "4:8 Breath."

I taught my client the 4:8 breath during her in-person healing session recently. Inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 8. She practiced for a few minutes as I guided her through a body scan, each out breath softening tense muscles and fidgety fingers. Once we had downregulated her nervous system with this breath practice, she hopped on the table for some bodywork.

To learn AND practice this breath technique so it's second nature when YOUR stress heightens and you feel yourself agitated or overly anxious, give this video I recorded a watch.

Parents with anxious children might practice together!

Teaching breath and body awareness is one way I help my clients diminish pain and live in greater comfort. It's something they can do anytime, anyplace.

As always, I invite you to experience the power of this work with me in any of my offerings: my Wednesday yoga class, as a part of BodyMind Coaching, or by booking a bodywork session (email me to schedule).

Questions? Comments? Love notes? Pics of your pets? I welcome them all!

Email me: jenniferbrennanwellness@gmail.com.

Breathe on beauties,

Jennifer

(She/Her)