The Healing Power of Breathwork for Somatic Self-Love
Breathing: it's something we do every day without thinking. But what if we told you that this simple act can hold the key to cultivating deeper connection with yourself? Welcome to the world of breathwork and its transformative power for somatic self-love.
What is Somatic Self-Love?
Somatic Self-Love is the felt-sense of feeling love for yourself alive in your body.
Feeling love for yourself alive in your body means experiencing and embodying self-love on a deep, visceral level.
It goes beyond intellectual understanding or affirming positive thoughts about yourself. This form of self-love involves a genuine, compassionate connection with your physical self, as well as an appreciation for your body's unique qualities, abilities, and wisdom.
Is Breathwork Really That Good?
Research, such as the 2018 study by Zaccaro et al., in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, has begun to unravel the fascinating science behind breathwork. This study discovered that those who practiced breathwork showed improved resilience to stress and an enhanced mood1. More than just a way to manage stress, breathwork has a profound impact on our emotional well-being, serving as a powerful tool for cultivating self-love in a deeply embodied way.
Breathwork and the practice of controlled breathing exercises can provide a direct pathway to somatic self-love. It helps us to cultivate a sense of connection with our physical selves, enhancing our body awareness. As we learn to tune into our breath, we're invited to inhabit our bodies more fully, cultivating a relationship with ourselves that is rooted in the present moment and the tangible sensations of our physical existence.
The benefits of breathwork extend beyond the psychological. Physiologically, it helps to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and improve cardiovascular health. But perhaps more importantly for our journey towards somatic self-love, breathwork allows us to tap into our body's innate wisdom, opening up a space where healing and self-love can occur.
Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine need not be a complex affair. You might start with something as simple as taking a few minutes each morning and evening to breathe deeply and mindfully. As you inhale, envision love and acceptance flowing into your body. As you exhale, imagine releasing self-judgement and doubt. This practice, though simple, can have profound effects on your journey towards somatic self-love.
Breathwork offers a unique opportunity to engage with the self-love journey in a visceral, embodied way, transforming our relationship with ourselves one breath at a time. Remember, as with any practice of self-love, the journey is unique to you. Start where you are, be patient with yourself, and let your breath guide you towards deeper love for yourself.
Ready to Go A Little Deeper With The Breath?
Join us in our "Love Yourself More" program where you will be guided in incorporating breathwork and other body-based practices into your daily routines. You will not only experience the benefits first-hand, but you will also discover a new pathway to cultivate self-love that is deeply embodied. Don't just read about it; live it, feel it, embody it. Step into this transformative journey and start loving yourself more.
Let's breathe life into love, together. Join the "Love Yourself More" program now!
Footnotes
- Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 12, 353. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353 ↩