Q: For those who may not know you, tell us a little about what you do and what drew you to breathwork?
I’m a breathwork, meditation and human performance coach. I work with clients individually, companies, and professional sports teams to integrate breathwork and mediation practice into their lives. 15years ago I was travelling a lot internationally and used a morning practice of movement, sound, breathwork and meditation (usually only 16min) to feel centred and stable. It meant that although my external world and environment was changing almost weekly, my practice allowed an internal stability that transcended across my life.
Q: For someone completely new to breathwork, what’s the simplest way to describe what it actually does for the body and mind?
It speaks the language of the nervous system. I often say to clients that you can’t always think your way out of stress, but you can always feel your way out of stress. Think of it like a remote control into the nervous system that allows you to turn the volume down or up depending on which button you press.
Q: If someone woke up feeling anxious or overwhelmed, what’s one breathing technique they could use to feel better in under five minutes?
I’m a huge fan of humming. If you think about it, you’re never humming if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and historically your ancestors certainly weren’t humming when the tiger was chasing them. It signals the conditions of safety to your physiology, through stimulation of the vagus nerve and an extended exhale slows the heart down.
Q: Are there differences between breathwork techniques for energy versus relaxation?
Yes for sure, a simple, general rule of thumb for people to follow is that an extended inhale will energise and an extended exhale will relax.
Q: What does “feeling good” actually mean to you - personally and professionally?
It’s a really good question; essentially feeling good to me is when I feel connected to myself to such an extent that I can recognize the signals, emotions and sensations in the body, whether they’re positive or negative. Personally, it manifests as feeling calm, in flow and happy, professionally when I feel more connected to myself can tune into what others need in the moment.
Q: What does your daily wellbeing routine actually look like? From food to movement to anything you rely on for support?
Movement, sound, breathwork, meditation. This can be as little as 4minutes to a full 60minute session. I take Creatine and Vitamin D daily and try to eat whole natural foods with every meal.
Q: What are your go to ARTAH supplements?
Essential Creatine and Vitamin D3!
Q: If you could leave people with one breathing habit that would truly transform their health, what would it be?
Start with awareness of your breath rather than a particular protocol. Start becoming aware of the cadence, frequency, quality, rhythm, depth of the breath, whether it’s through the mouth or through the nose, whether you feel it in the belly, the chest or anywhere for that matter !
Quickfire questions:
- Favourite way to workout? In the sun! ;-)
- Show you're watching right now? Mr Inbetween
- Go-to comfort meal? Homemade Wagyu Cheeseburger & chips, with mayo dip!
- Coffee or chocolate? coffee
- Guilty pleasure? Susan Boyles Wild Horses
- Best advice you've ever received? ‘What’s for you won’t go by you"
- Finish the sentence: “When I breathe well, I feel…”: alive!
Follow Rob:
Follow Rob: @robrea__
