FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What happens at a WOO Breathwork experience? 

Your WOO Breathwork experience will differentiate in three ways depending on the session you attend: 
  • Intimacy
  • Environment
  • Practice and Techniques 
Where intimacy is concerned, a 1:1 session - whether online or in-person - allows for a deeper, more personal and customizable experience along with the possibility of intuitive guidance. In terms of environment, being in the presence of other human beings on the healing/awakening journey during a live, in-person or online event will impact the overall experience as each person's energy contributes to the collective consciousness. Regarding practice, the type of breathwork each individual or group will do will depend on many different factors, including energy, needs, health concerns, and intentions. For group events that occur at a venue hosted by WOO Breathwork, the practice will include a opening call to transformation and primal, movement-based initial release (dance, chant), followed by curated techniques to meet the general needs of the group and/or themes being explored. Breathing techniques for 1:1 sessions will be customized based on client needs and intentions.

Every experience will include:
  • Ceremonial intention-setting and joining of energies
  • Transformational breathwork journey
  • Transitional meditation
  • Channeling practice
  • Integration
  • JOY

Who is breathwork for?

From a biological standpoint, breathwork is for every human being with lungs. However, that's not to say that everyone with lungs is ready or willing to step into this modality - everyone is on a journey, after all, and will find the healing modality or modalities that work for them when the time is right. 

There are countless benefits to breathwork, many of which I've already talked about on this page and elsewhere on this site. There are also many contraindications so that people understand who breathwork might not be for (from a safety standpoint). 

But if you find yourself asking the question - is this for me?
Listen to the small voice inside that is gently nudging you forward.
If you've found yourself here, now, then I say this: 
breathwork is for you.
 

How can breathwork help me to heal?

Many are drawn to breathwork for trauma healing, and if this is you, thank you for your courage in seeking help. Trauma is a word that we hear all the time nowadays, and that's because we are truly waking up to the fact that every human being alive on this plan will at some point experience trauma - in some form - if they haven't already. Trauma is another word for suffering, which is a universal part of the human condition and the First Noble Truth of Buddhism. If it is part and parcel of this human life, one would ask 'why?'  The answer will depend on where you've arrived in your awakening journey.
Trauma is many things, but when it goes unresolved, causes limiting beliefs which contribute to difficulty moving forward in life, judgements, violent thoughts, emotions that get stuck and become debilitating, and, potentially, immeasurable pain in the form of addiction, illness, and more. 

Trauma lives in the body.

But your body, the beautifully and elegantly crafted miracle that it is, was built with its very own self-healing system: the breath. And it's the breath that holds a master key to the release of all of those things that have kept you stuck for so long. Quite simply, your breath is your magic. It is your very own philosopher stone. Your buried treasure. It is what bridges the gap between who you are in this moment and who you yearn to be. This knowledge is ancient, and yet, we've largely forgotten about about it. 

But what else can breathwork help you heal?
Lack of self love and self worth. It can heal your disconnection from yourself and spirit. It can help you heal and rejuvenate your body and mind, by providing a sense of wholeness that can only come from remembrance of who you truly are. It is ultimately this remembrance which provides the foundation of the healing power of breathwork, to remind you of how innately powerful you already are.

Why is breathwork important?

Breathwork, and channeling the healing and creativity that comes both during and after, is a reclaimation of personal power. 
Let's just talk for a second about the systemic and dogmatic suppression and oppression of wild hearts since modern society took shape in its current form: men, woman, and children punished for their beliefs, their bodies, minds, truths, ancient practices, wisdom traditions, and divinity. Let's talk about the demonization of the Sacred Feminine. The policing of bodies and the secrets and sacredness they hold. The destruction and chaos of the past and present that have created repeating cycles of generational trauma. The fight for control over our consciousness, for land, food, resources, money, and healing medicine in whatever form it takes.

But our bodies are of Earth, of the Great Mother. Of the Divine Feminine. Of magic. And within each of us is this aspect, the divine, feminine aspect for which we have been continually punished no matter what body we happen to find ourselves in during an incarnation.

Women and girls denigrated and regarded as property.
Men and boys forbidden to express their emotions, creating monsters.
Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. Beings with health conditions that have made them targets. The lost hearts whose stories we may never know.
And lest we forget those beings who have done and continue to do the hurting, and the destructive impact their actions have on their and the collective consciousness. Hurt people hurt people, is the saying.

There is a lot of trauma and darkness that needs to be processed and healed from at this time, and breathwork offers a way forward.

Your body is the most beautiful, natural, powerful thing in all creation. It is perfect, even in its imperfections.
Your body, and you, are magic. WOO.
And using it to heal yourself of the trauma of this and past lifetimes - while breaking cycles of generational trauma - is a revolution.
A liberation.

And doing all of this in a way that also nurtures your sacred fire and creativity, means that not only do you heal and release.
You get to bring forth exactly what needs to come through - your gifts, to the world.
You get to liberate yourself and others through your evolution.

What happens during breathwork?

Your experience will be deeply personal to you. Certainly there are physical sensations you may feel, including tingling, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth and throat (coughing), muscle contraction (tetany), hot/cold flashes, and of course, tears. Lots of tears. And screaming. Laughing. Flailing (don't worry, everyone is in the same boat). Some of these are rare, some of them super common, and some will vary from person-to-person. The important thing to remember is that every experience will be unique, and the best way to enter into any breathwork session is to do so with the best of intentions, an open heart and mind, and zero expectations. Ultimately what breathwork is doing is altering the levels of CO2 and O2 in our bodies, stimulating blood flow, activating our sypathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (depending on the technique), and helping to move stuck energy and emotions (energy in motion) through your body while releasing trauma. It can provide a hallucinogenic or altered state effect similar to certain plant medicines (thanks to its activation of the pineal gland), and ultimately provide our bodies with the release it needs to integrate and overcome the experiences it has held on to and which keep us stuck in repeating patterns. Your body is a powerful, supernatural, self-healing device, and what CAN happen at a breathwork session has to be experienced to be believed.

What are the positive side effects of breathwork?

There is a reason breathwork is gaining popularity all over the globe. Discovering the power of the breath has been like discovering the lost treasures of ancient Egypt and remembering the power we have within ourselves to heal, transform, and directly connect to our Higher Selves. It is grounding and awakening in one, and - quite simply - magic. Quality, conscious breath is one of the most important things you can do to better your well being, and it's been hiding in plain sight for as long as control mechanisms have been in place to rob human beings of their personal power and ability to heal both themselves, and the collective. 

But let's break it down for the individual, noting that the list below is not comprehensive - the benefits are far too vast to list here, and will also be deeply personal; the healing and experience that will take place at a breathwork session will be the healing and experience that your body needs, which is why the results of a breathwork session will look and feel different, person to person. 

Breathwork can provide:
  • Stress reductation and relaxation
  • Mindfulness and greater ease in navigating emotional triggers
  • Emotional release and release of old (and new) traumas
  • Spiritual awakening 
  • Altered, blissful states (aka, trip without the hangover)
  • Greater comfort and ease in your body
  • Pain relief (no, really)
  • Enhanced creativity and access to your own innate wisdom
  • Relief from the mind's negative feedback loops (get out of your head)
  • Wellness, wholeness, and a return to your true self
  • A dismantling of repeating patterns and cycles
  • And so much more.


Is breathwork safe?

For most people, yes, breathwork is safe, however, like most things in life...it's not one size fits all. There are certain contraindications that you need to be aware of before starting your breathwork practice, some of which are for breathwork writ large, and some which are dependent on the type of breathwork technique you're doing in a particular session. Having said that, if you're doing a 1:1 session, we will have already discussed your particular health concerns and arrived at a breathing practice to suit your needs. For group sessions, rest assured that the techniques selected are those which are least-activating (depending on the type of group session), but still deeply transformational. Maintaining your health, safety, and well-being is most important, and every person going into a WOO Breathwork experience agrees to exercise personal responsibility while taking the utmost care and consideration for themselves and the contraindications listed below.
Please be sure to check with a qualified medical professional if you have any questions about your health history and how it might impact your participating in breathwork.


Contraindications for breathwork include (but are not limited to):
  • Pregnancy (and post-partum)
  • Asthma
  • High blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Post-surgery or post-injury
  • Diabetes
  • Seizures
  • Thyroid conditions
  • PTSD
  • Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychiatric conditions
  • Users of brain chemistry altering recreational drugs or medications
Contraindications that preclude breathwork include (but are not limited to):
  • Cardiovascular disease
  •  Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma/detached retina
  • Aneurysm
  • Kidney disease



What is the science behind the WOO?

Fortunately science is catching up with what ancient spiritual and wisdom traditions have known for thousands of years.
Humans have been living through a modern version of the dark ages, where we have cut ourselves off (whether intentionally or not) from the practices which have kept us attuned to our true natures; there are many reasons why, and conspiracy theories abound, but none of that really matters as much as what this has resulted in - humans feeling disconnected from themselves and each other, which leads to sicknesses of all kinds (both great and small).

Science is a sacred breadcrumb, here to help lead us back to where we've always been (and in fact, never truly left). While some beings can work off faith alone, science offers a different kind of permission slip, one that allows people of a different nature to explore healing options that maybe they wouldn't have otherwise considered. This is why science is such a sacred endeavour in the spiritual realm, because it offers those among us who need proof of miracles the chance to venture safely into the void. Science is a modern miracle, but a miracle nonetheless. It is just a different way to Source.

The following articles and sites offer a glimmer into the work being done to bring forth the miracle that is breathwork into the mainstream: 


What kind of breathwork techniques does WOO use?

WOO Breathwork uses a combination of traditional Pranayama techniques combined with techniques rooted in conscious awareness to help clients activate, release, and regulate. Each WOO Breathwork session is carefully curated to ensure activation, release, transformation, and divine (creative) connection.

Depening on themes, areas of exploration, needs and desires of the group and/or individual clients, a WOO Breathwork session and event can be curated to provide a very customized experience. Technique is only one part of the whole - after all, nothing about your session can happen without your awareness (of whatever you wish to change), and also your intention (to accomplish whatever it is you need or desire to accomplish). In this way, the breathwork just makes up one-third of the recipe - you are the most important ingredient!

And so, when awareness and intention come together - as well as the right techniques to support both - we can use breathwork to explore themes of deep relaxation, activation/release, divine connection, channeling, tapping into your sacred creativity, manifesting abundance, group cohesion/team-building, healing (which is always a byproduct of breathwork), and more. The possibilities are truly endless.

This is the great gift we have been given.


What do I need to know before attending a session (whether in-person or online)?

For an in-person event (unless told otherwise, venue-dependent) please be sure to bring a yoga mat, water bottle, journal, pen, and recording device (for the channeling session only - recording of others is strictly prohibited). You may also wish to bring an eye mask or cloth, blanket and pillow for maximum comfort, particularly if you choose to do your session laying down versus in a seated position. Noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs are recommended during channeling sessions and for individuals who are easily distracted by the sounds of other people.

For online events, ensure that you are in a comfortable space with adequate privacy to allow you to fully let go. You will be invited to sit or lay down comfortably, and may choose to keep the camera off or on depending on your preference and comfort level. Integration will happen via the chat, and all are encouraged to participate, to see and be seen in this beautiful and expansive process. Ensure that a journal and pen is nearby to capture what needs to come through.

Important note:
Breathwork is best done on an empty stomach, so try to put some time between your num-nums and your breathwork.



Is it possible to have a transformative experience during an online session?

100%. Ultimately, a breathwork experience is just about two things: you, and the breath.
You will receive the same guidance and support, just in a different setting (your setting), which for some people is preferable due to the vulnerability and surrender required of a breathwork practice. You will get out of your practice and session what you put into it, and so if you come to your online session with clear and positive intention, an open heart in surrender, and zero expectations (e.g. a proper 'set' or mindset), you will have exactly the kind of experience that you need to have for your highest good. Trust is a big part of this; you have to trust your body (that it will release what needs to be released), and you have to trust your breath (that it will take over and do the work). I have had transformative experiences sitting, lying down, being led, not being led, online, in-person, with music, without music, with chanting, without chanting, etc. Set and setting are important, but set and setting can be what happens internally as well as externally. It really depends on you. If you are open to the practice, the practice will open to you.




Tell me about the channeling (WOO).

'Channeling' means a lot of things to different people, but to me, channeling is a conscious connection to The Universal Mind.
When I was a kid I remember distinctly this particular Heritage Moment (Marshall McLuhan's "The Medium is the Message"), and I did eventually end up pursuing a career in communications. When I discovered my abilities as a channel, the memory of that Heritage Moment flooded back, and I realized the true meaning that it held (and continues to hold) for me.
Channeling is another word for mediumship, but it doesn't just mean talking to dead people (and in fact, different people have totally different ideas about what channeling actually means. But channeling, as I've come to know it - and at its most simple - is being a receiver of information, but not necessarily information from someplace 'out there.' You are accessing information that is already within, it just might seem out of reach to you (for reasons deep and varied but ultimately you are unable to see what you don't believe...you cannot perceive what you are not the frequency of).
Every human being on Earth is a natural channel, a conductor of electricity and messages. You are the medium AND the message, and this is the beauty of the practice - it engages the capability that you already have to help you grow, learn, and ultimately deepen the experience of this incarnation. Channeling can provide wisdom, insights, and knowledge beyond all rational explaination; it can attune you to the frequency necessary to allow for enhanced healing and connection with the divine (and other humans); it can heighten creativity and provide inspiration, and help you solve problems.
The only limitations are those which you place on yourself and the experience.
Channeling is flow. 
And once you've opened the door to the universe, get ready for a universe of limitless possibility.

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