In breathwork, we train our students to observe and engage with the unique breathing patterns of their clients. Each individual possesses a distinct breathing pattern shaped not only by physiological and environmental factors but also by psychological influences—such as thoughts, beliefs, trauma, and personal narratives.

Recent scientific advancements have validated what we have long understood. A groundbreaking study from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, has confirmed that each person exhibits a unique breathing “fingerprint,” capable of identifying individuals with an impressive accuracy of 96.8%. By monitoring nasal airflow over a 24-hour period, researchers found that these distinct breathing styles correlate with various factors, including body mass index (BMI), anxiety levels, sleep cycles, and behavioral tendencies. This insight paves the way for utilising breath monitoring as a tool to assess and potentially enhance emotional and mental well-being.

This pioneering research reinforces our belief in the transformative power of understanding and connecting with our breath. Unlike a fingerprint, however, we possess the ability to modify our breathing patterns, thereby altering our life patterns. It serves as a reminder that while we carry the narratives of our past, we also hold the capacity to change our breath pattern and, in turn, reshape our physiology and psychology.

We enter this world with open, flowing breaths, but as we navigate life, we often begin to constrict parts of ourselves while allowing others to dominate. Our breath reflects our life story—our resistance, joy, control, capacity to love, past experiences, fears, and strengths. It reveals areas where we may feel stuck in our relationships with ourselves and others and highlights the difficulties we encounter in expressing ourselves or receiving love and support. Patterns of control, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and high achievement can all be mirrored in our breath.

Each breath is intrinsically linked to every moment, experience, and emotion. When we attempt to control our emotions or circumstances, our breath pattern shifts, and the tiny muscles in our respiratory system tighten, storing memories and transmitting information to and from our nervous system. Throughout my years of practice, I have observed thousands of breathing patterns, none of which are identical. Common types include chest breathers, belly breathers, breath holders, and shallow breathers. While these categories provide surface-level insights, deeper, more intricate patterns await discovery and understanding.

Your breath pattern narrates the story of your life, reflecting your experiences, emotions, and personal journey. Our breathing patterns are fundamentally intertwined with both our psychological and physiological performance, offering surface insights while concealing a complex tapestry of our life experiences. From expressions of resistance to manifestations of anxiety and depression, our breath reveals what we store within our bodies. It is indeed possible to change these patterns over time by consciously engaging with our breath and listening to what needs to be acknowledged and embraced.

When you approach breathwork in this manner—utilising various techniques—it becomes a form of therapy that transcends talk therapy, allowing you to delve deep into the subconscious and beyond the confines of your stories.

There is no one quite like you; while the narratives you carry may feel burdensome, the breath offers a pathway to transform them into wisdom and gold.