Breathwork Ceremony - Re.Connection, Release, Clarity & Transformation.

“Breathing is the first place, not the last, one should look when fatigue, disease, or other evidence of disordered energy presents itself.” — Sheldon Saul Hendler, MD, Ph.D.

About the experience:

Our breath is a powerful healing modality, which can help the release of stress and tension, repressed emotions, bring mental clarity and can support the mind to enter into an altered state of consciousness. Breathwork is an experiential practice and self-healing modality that uses conscious, connected breathing to access expanded states of consciousness while simultaneously unlocking repressed emotions and clearing stagnant energy from the mind, body and spirit. Through an intentional, safe and artful increase of oxygen levels, we activate different areas of the brain to create new neural pathways for deeper insights and heightened clarity, while meeting the sacred root of unresolved emotional imprints. It is powerful, life-changing work and it is only for those ready and willing to venture deep into the most intimate spaces of themselves — especially into one’s emotional and pain body to gracefully connect with repressed or fragmented textures of their being yearning for awareness. The journey of breath is a journey of self-intimacy, unconditional love, profound compassion and multifaceted awareness.

What to expect:

A powerful evening that will help you to drop deeply into your body. Re-connecting with yourself and others while nourishing your body & soul. We will be using a CONSCIOUS CONNECTED (circular) breathing technique according to the Sacred Breath Method.

Structure:

• Drop-in and meditation
• Intention setting/ Group exercise
• The WHY and HOW behind Breathwork
• Embodiment practice
• Breathwork Journey: accompanied by evocative and stimulating music, you'll be taken on a powerful journey into the depths of your inner world to explore what's surfacing for healing
• Sharing circle (optional/ for those who feel called)

About your facilitator: Katharina

Katharina is a certified Sacred Breath Academy Breathwork facilitator, a Yogalap Breathwork Coach and a Reiki practitioner. Her method is a unique blend of Breathwork, intuitive movement, sound and meditation. She has been holding Breathwork sessions since 2021 and focuses on a holistic Yin approach to Breathwork - with nose-inhales for the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, a safe space/container that allows permission to surrender and express your emotions fully as they arise, trauma-informed touch, longer Breathwork sessions, more time for integration and savasana.

With the focus on the breath during her sessions Katharina helps people improve their physical, mental & emotional well-being. She creates a safe space to guide people to re.connect with themselves. She is doing this by offering and applying knowledge and teachings that have served her along her own transformational journey.

How to prepare myself?

• No experience required
• Empty belly: Please don't eat anything heavy/big 2 hours prior to the session because we don't want to do Breathwork on a full belly (a light snack like banana, nuts etc. is really great for the inbetween here)
• Avoid coffee or other stimulating drinks (Cacao would be okay though)
• Read carefully through the CONTRAINDICATIONS* (below)

On the 'work':

The majority of breathers first experience deep (and at times, intense) emotional release or catharsis. It is possible to feel anything from grief/pain/discomfort to ecstasy/joy/bliss and anything in between. Again, these are parts of self that are not being met in waking life (even ecstasy and bliss can be energies that are being unconsciously repressed) and thus want the freedom to be completely and uninhibitedly expressed in a safe container of exploration, as we will create.

However, not everyone is ready for this kind of transformative dive, especially if they are new to inner work and self-awareness. And, as always, we honour where each person is on their path of healing and awakening. That said, *please have a self-check in and make sure you are fully ready for a deep and powerful journey into your being. This also includes a willingness to meet any discomfort, hurt, grief, pain or wounding that you are unknowingly holding onto.

*Contraindications

If you are on the contraindication list, you are *not* a candidate for the full breathwork technique, but I am happy to discuss modified, gentle breathwork with you for a later date. Please do not continue to book the session if you have any of the contraindications listed below.

You may email me at [email protected] to discuss a more gentle alternative.

• Pregnancy (at any stage)
• Severe PTSD or trauma
• Actively using recreational drugs
• Taking any Medic*tion that alters brain chemistry like anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, ADD, OCD medications, etc.
• Occular Issues: (detached retina/glaucoma)
• Kidney disease
• Unmedicated High Blood Pressure
• Cardiovascular disease (incl. angina, previous heart attack or stroke)
• Aneurysms
• Osteoporosis
• Uncontrolled thyroid conditions
• Diabetes (any type)
• Severe Asthma— for mild to moderate asthma, we can discuss but you must bring your inhaler to the session
• Epilepsy or history of Seizures
• Prior diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or previous psychiatric condition
• Complex PTSD
• Severe psychosomatic disorders
• Recent surgery, stitches or injury
• Hospitalisation for any psychiatric condition or emotional crisis within the last 10 years
• Any other medical, psychiatric or physical conditions which would impair or affect ability to engage in any activities that involve deep physical and/or emotional release
• Adverse reactions from recent C vaccination OR vaccination within the last 6 months

Things to note:

Centre of You has plenty of bolsters, blankets, and cushions for you to get cosy with. We recommend wearing comfortable, loose clothes to enable deep breathing and sitting/laying upon the floor with ease. Something to cover your eyes, if you wish to do so (eg. eye mask, scarf). A journal is recommended as are any familiar personal items that will aid you in feeling grounded (crystal, teddy, scarf, etc).

Personal responsibility: P lease make an assessment on whether you are feeling stable and resourced enough to explore the practices on offer in this event.

Arrival: Endeavour to arrive between 6:15pm - 6:30pm. To preserve the experience for all involved, doors will close at 6:45pm. Truly, it breaks our heart to have to turn latecomers away yet the disruption to the whole group experience by virtue of lateness does require management. We ask that you find understanding and consideration for the timebound nature of the container and make every effort to arrive on time.

Driving: Know Centre of You is on Chapel St and ample time to find a car spot is best to be factored into your plans. Park direct on Chapel St (spots unmetered after 5pm) or in Anchor Place, the open-air parking lot in the side street that runs opposite Centre of You (unmetered after 4pm).

Public transport - tram: Both the number 6 tram & 78 tram stop on the corner of High St/Chapel St. This is stop 31 on the number 6 tram (Moreland/Glen Iris) & stop 45 on the number 78 tram (North Richmond/Balaclava).

Public transport - train: Both Prahran & Windsor stations along the Sandringham Line will get you walking distance to Centre of You.

Finding Centre of You: Centre of You is nestled within the arcade that Chapel St Bazaar is in (217 Chapel St). It is up a flight of stairs with a wide landing at the half-way-point. Unfortunately, this current version of Centre of You does not have a wheelchair accessible lift. If you could use support in getting up the stairs or would like to discuss ways to make your experience at Centre of You more comfortable, please reach out via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram.

Accessibility: At COY we aim to ensure our community and events are inclusive and accessible while alongside upholding the needs and responsibilities of our business and the businesses of our collaborating facilitators. Should you be in a time of financial challenge and unable to pay the full ticket price comfortably, please reach out via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram

Ticketing T&Cs: We get it, life happens, therefore we will gladly refund you up until 24hrs before the event start time. After that, we have a strict no refund/no transfer to future events policy. If you are no longer able to attend and wish to pay forward your ticket to someone within the community, be in touch via [email protected] or via DM over on Centre of You Instagram.

Questions? Email [email protected] or reach out via Instagram DM.

Event Venue

Centre of You, Upstairs, 217 Chapel St, Melbourne, Australia