The Start of My Breathwork Journey
Student Spotlight: Nicole Infanzon
How discovering conscious connected breathwork led me to the breathwork facilitator training.
Discovering Breathwork
My journey into breathwork began with two pivotal experiences that drew my attention to the importance of proper breathing techniques. In 2022, I participated in a local community theatre show. The musical director noticed I had shallow breathing patterns, which was hindering my vocal projection, so I tried just simple breathing deeper on my own. Six months later, I decided to try Reiki for the first time. Interestingly, the Reiki teacher also pointed out my shallow breathing and emphasized the benefits of deeper breathing techniques for both physical and emotional health.
Curious to improve my breathing, I found Insight Timer, an app that offered a treasure trove of breathwork exercises. At first, I focused on recordings that would help me hone in my vocal skills and learn calming techniques. Then I encountered conscious connected breathing in early 2023, and my perception of breathwork shifted dramatically.
The Turning Point: My First Conscious Connected Breathwork Session
After consistently practicing breathwork for about 10 minutes a day for a few months, one morning I decided to challenge myself with a longer session. I chose a 36-minute recording titled "Animal Magic- Conscious Breathwork Journey." I was a little hesitant because frankly it sounded odd, but I remained open-minded.
To tell you the truth, I hated the first 20 minutes. The new technique of continuous open-mouth breathing felt unfamiliar, and I struggled to adapt to it, experiencing dry throat, constant yawning, and lightheadedness that unnerved me. I considered giving up multiple times, yet despite the discomfort, I was determined to complete the session, even if imperfectly.
As the session progressed, something extraordinary happened. With only 10 minutes left, I encountered a strange yet exhilarating tingling sensation that began at the top of my head and spread to my toes. It was an intense physical release, which was both surprising and strangely comforting.
To my surprise, this physical sensation was followed by a huge emotional release. I found myself crying uncontrollably, in a way unlike anything I had experienced before. I tend to suppress my cries and hastily move past them, but this cry emerged from a different place, a deeper place. The cry flowed out of me effortlessly, carrying with it emotions that seemed to have been harbored since childhood. The sense of lightness I felt after was remarkable, and I found myself more connected to my body than ever before.
I actually happened to record my immediate reaction to that session.
Becoming a Breathwork Facilitator
A year ago, I had no idea of the emotional healing potential residing within my own breath. That first transformative breathwork session was a revelation, and it inspired me to integrate breathwork into my regular routine. I have experienced more profound breakthroughs since then, each one reinforcing my conviction in the power of this practice. That first session was led by Benedict Beaumont. I now am embarking on a breathwork facilitator training program under Benedict's mentorship. I am inspired by the prospect of sharing this transformative tool with others and helping them navigate their own healing journeys. Throughout this 10-month training, I will be chronicling my experiences and the insights they bring and sharing them on this platform. You are welcome to join and take some healing breaths with me!
About Nicole Infanzon
Nicole is training to be a breathwork facilitator and lives in Philadelphia, PA. She is passionate about interfaith work and personal growth. Follow her journey at sacreduncertainty.substack.com, where she shares her personal experiences and discoveries on the power of breathwork and its impact on our spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Follow her journey at: https://substack.com/@sacreduncertainty
