Transformational Breathing™ - "Printer Friendly Q & A Library"

Allergies, food intolerances and chemical sensitivities involve a factor of toxicity. When one becomes hypersensitive, the body is typically overloaded with toxins. Conscious breathing detoxifies and Transformational Breathing aids in cleansing the body tissues and modulates the immune system appropriately. The result over time can be reduced sensitization. This detoxifying effect can work simultaneously to clear the mental and emotional components. Many breathers have completely overcome their allergies and sensitivities by using Transformational Breathing for those symptoms.

Case Study notes: The side effects of client's medication have seriously imbalanced her health. After 5 minutes of breathing, she gets a headache and pain everywhere increases. She also cries throughout the entire session. Toning is very difficult and increases the headache but after 4 sessions the relaxation induced does momentarily release her pain.

When folks get headaches in a session it usually means that the energy is not flowing freely in the upper chest and so that pressure builds up and is not being released, thus creating a blockage of energy in the head area. Try sitting her up and work mostly on getting the exhale to relax and a freer energy flow in the upper body / head area. This should help alleviate the head pain during sessions.

Physician's opinion [Reinhilde Dillen - Belgium]: Rheumatoid arthritis comes with a variety of systemic manifestations. Regarding increased pain, this can occur in sessions early on because the activation of the breathing moves the energy flow where it is obstructed. (In TCM, it is Qi stagnation causing the pain). The articulations (joints) are locked and the muscles are contracted and stiff so we have to move much like an old rusty bicycle. Perhaps the toning is too hard for your client. The vibration can go through the bones and so trigger the contraction of muscles in the neck and cause headache. Ask client if there is vasculitis. If not, don't worry. Keep on breathing with her. It is very good to let her energy flow and release the emotional blockages behind her pain. Continue light sessions and build up over time.

Individuals experiencing the symptoms of asthma have a very conditioned breathing pattern that takes time and patience to restructure. The main problem is the tightening of the muscles in the "fear belt" or the solar plexus area, especially on the exhale. The most important thing to remember with asthmatics is that the problem is about being able to relax enough to let the air release on the exhale so there can be room for the next breath to enter the lungs. This can be challenging as asthmatics have a fear of "letting go" usually based on a time when they were unable to let go of their last breath because the next one did not come easily. They compensate by trying harder to breathe in more air which only aggravates the situation more and creates more tension in the solar plexus.

Good affirmations to work with are "I can get enough" and "It's safe and easy for me to breathe." The best approach is to have the asthmatic propped up while focusing on the solar plexus area and slowing the breath down until a relaxed exhale occurs. Progress may be slower with asthmatics as they have life-long issues with their breath. Often they are asked to complete the 100 Breaths exercise several times a day. During the session, we give them a sense of when they are relaxed versus when they are holding on to their breath. This will help them with their homework.

Propping the asthmatic up on at least a 45 to 90 degree angle helps them relax more, feel safer and makes exhaling a bit easier. Slowing the breathing down until they are able to relax is also a good technique to instill a more relaxed breath. Working with the affirmation "I let the breath come in and let it go out" can take away a lot of the effort. In some extreme situations, have them breath in and out through their nose. This is a way of breathing that supports a more relaxed state. It is helpful to address getting "enough" air, love and attention to address some of the major emotional components of asthma. Facilitators are guided in letting their intuition and experience guide them create a whole new relationship to breathing.

The Buteyko or Boutako Breathing Method essentially tries to heal the symptoms of asthma by shallow and slow breathing. This helps relax the muscles that control the pattern, but do not really integrate any of the mental and emotional aspects of this condition. It does not give the breather the oxygen needed for integration. Part of the problem for asthmatics is being a mouth breather. We do use the nose breathing as an option for working with asthmatics.

We understand that the breathing problem with asthmatics is more about exhale and holding on to it with the muscles in the solar plexus. We work directly with that tension and have effective techniques to assist those muscles to relax thereby allowing the old air to empty from the lungs and thus creating more room for the new air (inhale) to enter. We also work on the mental and emotional aspects of the asthmatic condition and find it is very helpful in assisting the individual to resolve the condition on deeper levels. We monitor the oxygen and CO2 balance by insisting on a shorter, relaxed exhale, which keeps the CO2 levels from dropping.

Most folks with asthma who practice Transformational Breathing in a committed way find their condition greatly improved or gone. For further information, read "Breath Deep" and come to a Transformational Breath session to find out how this process can support improved health in asthmatics.

Yes, the Buteyko Method is quite different than Transformational Breathing. They basically have you hold your breath out and minimize respiration so that when someone does breathe, it is from the need to breathe in and out in a more spontaneous way. This has been somewhat effective for individuals with the symptoms of asthma in helping them relax their strained breathing pattern. However, I do not believe it addresses any of the mental or emotional aspects connected with the restricted breathing problems. In general, my feelings are that the more oxygen in the system the better. Try both TB and Buteyko and see which process gives you the most.

Case Study: We use mouth-breathing in the very beginning of our journey with TB to allow us to access the lower parts of the respiratory system and lower chakras. As the breath opens and moves up we can switch to connected nose-breathing mixed with mouth breathing in sessions, or use nose-breathing to specifically work with the upper energy centers or the 3rd Spiritual Level.

In some cases with mouth-breathing clients with asthma I have actually coached them into nose-breathing early on in their sessions. Nose-breathing with them can allow them not to use the breathing pattern that is associated with their condition. Usually, when asthmatics have an "attack " they breath in forcefully with their mouth and then push the exhale while contracting the muscles in the diaphragm which does not allow the air to release and thus create any internal space for new air to come in. And then they try even harder to get air and the cycle gets worse. Sometimes nose-breathing will break this stressful breathing pattern and will allow the asthmatic to begin to breathe in a more relaxed manner.

I have worked with paraplegics and sometimes it is okay for them to breathe in their chairs, leaning back on a pillow against a wall. Some have even felt energy and movement in their legs. Always secure enough help at events to get them up and down stairs. For comfort, one man even brought a portable bed to breathe on during his Seminar so it would be easier for him to get on and off. I would just treat them like a regular client as their breathing is not impaired and TB can bring them a lot.

Transformational Breathing has proven to be a very effective practice for those individuals using drugs who are ready to recover from their addiction. It provides a direct connection with their "higher power" while healing the pain they have been trying to escape. People feel their innate wholeness with Transformational Breathing so the desire for external fulfillment is lessened or gone. Many have experienced a breakthrough with Transformational Breathing that eliminates their desire to escape or "get high".

There are some special things to watch for when working with older clients. One thing to be clear on is their intention to be being more alive as opposed to wanting to let go and leave. We are not agents of transition unless we do so with the proper conditions and arrangements. The process of death is the suppression of the spirit out of the body so many older folks have hard bellies and are unconsciously active in the process of pushing their Spirits out of their bodies. Once it is clear that their intention is "pro life" work a gentle fashion.

Spend as much time as needed to open the belly and begin to assist them in relaxing all the areas of chronic tension. This might take some time because of the many years of conditioned dysfunctional breathing. It would be good to get a health history so you are aware of any prior conditions. The most important factor is to support them in creating an open flowing breath so that the life force goes throughout the whole system and no areas get stressed or over-energized by breathing in just partial sections of the respiratory system. If done effectively, Transformational Breathing can greatly increase the quality of health and vitality in a senior's life. It takes patience and gentleness!

Judith and Ange answer: With all breathers, it is good to know some physical history, e.g. surgeries, medications, and general physical shape. Eighty-six can look very different for different people -- as can, of course, forty-six. So for elderly who aren't so strong, or those very unfamiliar with this kind of work, at least start with toning without pounding, mainly so as not to exhaust them. Also pay a lot of attention to making certain they are in a position that is physically comfortable.

I don't know why this would be preferred. First, I have learned never to preconceive about someone's breathing ability by their age, and have been quite surprised in the past by how open is the breathing of some seniors. Second, mouth breathing is fine and recommended during a session because it is easier to establish a connected breath and take in more healing oxygen, and in doing so, allows greater access to the lower parts of the body, and hence, lower chakras.

Judith and Ange answer: Because people at this age are closer to leaving their physical bodies, for a facilitator at least, it is important to be clear that we are breathing for life, not for transition, or escape. With clear positive intention, and solid guidance, it is truly remarkable how much quality is added to seniors lives, not only through facilitated sessions, but also by using TB themselves in their daily lives.

I have worked with individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and have gained some insights into that condition. CFS is a condition which keeps sufferers at a very low energy state, low activity level, and a need to sleep a lot. Medically, it is said to be a complex, involving such things as a virus (EBV), and other microbial factors such as Candida overgrowth, as well as nutritional deficiencies, high stress levels, and even known drug side effects. In my experience with CFS, most people with this condition have very restricted breathing patterns. So by opening their breath and bringing more life-force in, they experience more energy right away and are also supported by a strengthened immune system. One of the things I noticed with individuals with CFS is that there tends to be a strong association with this condition and sometimes a payoff in not having to do a lot. So it is important to work with developing positive benefits and images of how life would be without the CFS. Sometimes breathing sessions will bring up symptoms as they are integrating. This should not be confused with the condition getting worse as opposed to part of the healing process. All of this should be explained to clients before the initial session to keep them motivated.

Individuals with heart problems are can receive benefits from TB. We understand that many heart problems occur from strain created by a restricted breathing pattern. This limits the flow of oxygen and the life force to the heart area causing a build up of internal pressure due to improper energy flow. Initially, we work carefully with helping the client with cardiac problems to fully open their breathing to eliminate the pressure and strain acquired from their old breathing pattern. This lessens the efforts of the heart as well. They are also encouraged to open their emotional heart and feel freer in expressing their feelings and love.

There are dramatic studies from a hospital in London showing conclusive results about the benefits of full diaphragmatic breathing with pulmonary conditions.

We focus on opening and strengthening the entire respiration process. So that shallow or weak breathers expand their capacity and strengthen their breathing abilities. A weekend event would be very good and helpful for your husband. We have not had any problems in the past from participants with pacemakers or defibrillators. We work with folks with heart conditions in very specific ways, making sure there is a fully open breath that allows a balanced and even flow that permits energy to move freely through their field as opposed to restricted breathing that builds energy up internally thus causing stress and pressure.

I investigated this with a Medical Doctor / Facilitator of ours:

"Our own Nicole had an experience with a lung embolism when she was very ill. She was in intensive care and did the breathing and saw the parameters on the monitor increasing and improving. Now, each blood clot condition has to be treated with anticoagulants because they can move and cause infarction when they obstruct the blood vessel, but the idea that deep breathing can move a clot and cause infarction is only speculation. I have verified this with a lung specialist, and there is no known danger. I also have found nothing in the medical literature to support this fear. Also, when you have a narrowing of the blood vessel, good ventilation can stimulate the collateral circulation, so that region receives more blood again. Even after an infarction, by breathing well, the other parts of the lung can compensate for the condition. So my conclusion is: keep on breathing but treat the blood clots! A pulmonary specialist I know in fact finds deep breathing is appropriate for all lung conditions except pneumothorax.

"Also, when you have a narrowing of the blood vessel, good ventilation can stimulate the collateral circulation, so that region receives more blood again. Even after an infarction, by breathing well, the other parts of the lung can compensate for the condition. So my conclusion is: keep on breathing but treat the blood clots! A pulmonary specialist I know in fact finds deep breathing is appropriate for all lung conditions except pneumothorax."

TB has been very effective in lowering high blood pressure, and also is a wonderful way to create energetic balance and relieve internal pressure, which is a component of the two basic types of strokes (ischemic and hemorrhagic). The way I approach TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks) is to make sure the client has an open flowing breath as our top priority, even if we have to slow the breathing down or keep repositioning them until their breath has an open flow. This keeps the energy in the system flowing and does not allow internal pressure to build up. So I would welcome working with someone who has these conditions and would always make sure their breath was open enough to keep their energy flowing, especially when the breathing brings in so much energy into their system.

There are no contraindications here – when working with someone with heart conditions, just proceed with due attention. If anyone has medical concerns I suggest they consult their own doctor regarding breathwork. Get as much information as possible beforehand and spend time finding out what makes them feel at ease. If clients are dependent on medication, have that on hand. Such clients are unlikely to have much, if any, breath in the chest and so will almost certainly need to be propped up and made comfortable; give adequate head and neck support, especially if elderly. The session would typically focus on getting a gentle, connected breath through the whole respiratory system and beginning to open up the chest or other closed areas. Offer encouragement and affirmations, but keep pounding and toning toward a minimum - although sometimes elderly and fairly infirm clients enjoy the toning especially and may find it beneficial to move too. Initially, I would not recommend our Kundalini movement before sessions until improvement is noted.

There has been great success in breathing newborns. The technique we use for working with babies is as follows. First we contact the soul or Spirit of the baby and ask permission to work with them. We then invoke the perfect session and ask for spiritual support. We hold the baby so that we can put a finger or two on each side of their abdomen. This creates an electrical circuit that brings the breath into the lower part of the respiratory system. Their belly begins to rise when they breathe in and fall when they exhale. The baby's breathing rate is faster than ours so we need to entrain with their rhythm. Before long their breath will activate allowing the birth and other repressed traumas to resolve and integrate. Many newborns after opening the lower respiratory system have better digestion, more peace and sleep better.

Unfelt or unexpressed feelings can do a lot of internal damage which only results in external problems or illnesses. In Transformational Breathing, we encourage individuals young and old to fully feel and express their feelings as they come up in their sessions or in their lives. When the feelings arise we show them how to breathe or sound through them so that they are able to resolve them by changing the energy pattern.

In working with children, validate how they feel and let them know we understand how they feel and that it is okay to express those feelings. The other option would be to make those feelings not okay and have them suppress them. This causes these feelings to be buried in the unconscious and cause possible problems or dis-ease in the future. Tell children, "It's okay to feel your feelings", "Make the sounds of your pain", "It's good to express". In those situations, it can be very healing to process the feelings on the spot as opposed to trying to squelch them inside. Sometimes healing is not all neat and quiet but consists of deep feelings needing to be expressed. Toning and breathing can assist in transforming the energy of those emotions.

In Transformational Breathing, we prefer emotional integration instead of emotional release, because we are essentially not releasing anything , nothing jumps off us like little fleas. In Transformational Breathing, we are permanently transforming lower vibrational energy patterns into higher ones, which is a form of integration. When someone in a session is experiencing strong emotions brought on through a memory or painful thought, we encourage them to continue to breathe and if that is difficult to make loud clear sounds to complete the transformational journey they have begun. When they are re-experiencing these emotions, they are in the process of integrating their feelings. Breathing or toning will take it to completion. No matter how intense the feelings are, they are just in a process of remembering. The most difficult part was the real experience itself and it has already happened so the breather is merely healing that memory.

It is unusual when the mind chatter continues in a session. There are several possibilities why this may be occurring. One is that the individual is not activating and their mind is still engaged. In this case, work on eliminating pauses in breathing and releasing muscles that appear tight on the exhale. It is possible to be fully activated and have thoughts which are integrating while the individual is aware of the "chatter". Letting go of any judgments about one's mental activity is also helpful. Physical stimulation of through Kundalini (breathing and moving), pounding and kicking, arm and leg compression will activate the breath even more and help resolve this type of situation.

Case Study: After 3 sessions, a 12 year-old boy has trouble staying focused. Since age 7 1/2, he has multiple daily thoughts of throwing up. Almost any physical sensation or stressful situation is interpreted as a sign of imminent vomiting, though he has not thrown up again. His mother is now considering a psychiatric evaluation and further counseling.

I would be encouraged to work with him on a one-on-one basis as I feel there is definitely some emotional issues going on and the breath to me is the fastest route to resolving them. I would ask both he and his mother for a commitment of three more sessions to be able to get to the root cause and then re-evaluate at that time. I would also give him some homework of 100 Breaths, especially when the feelings of throwing up arises, and to be prepared to go through some gagging reflexes as well to integrate that piece.

I would also do Byron Katie's "The Work " with both to look at the story and see how much they were invested into it and help them investigate the reality of their thoughts. I sincerely think the breathing would be effective if he was motivated in some way to commit to it.

What you are going through is not uncommon and my experience has shown me that if folks stick with the breath and the other tools that we have that sooner (we hope) or later they get to the other side. What I have noticed over the years is that the more light someone has the bigger the pieces of darkness they have chosen to overcome ... so know that someday all that "stuff" will serve you. Just know that the suppressed past is just that and the authentic self and energy is what is real.

I believe with all my heart that I or someone representing Transformational Breathing will be on Oprah. But timing is everything; we need to have so much in place before we meet such great opportunities, or the benefits would be lost. This is why I work so diligently to build a worldwide training organization; so it can deal with the influx that would come from that exposure. For everyone else it would be great to employ the tools from "The Secret" and see us telling and showing the world about TB on Oprah's show and any other great stage which is offered ... and for us to really get into the feeling that creates ... tune in!

We currently do not have any guided sessions without the music. We have music without the words. The 100 Breaths to Joy is a five-minute exercise without music that could be repeated. I recommend that you work with a certified facilitator or attend one of our programs as soon as you can so that you do not pattern any unproductive breathing patterns into your practicing.

Yes, many women who learn standard methods find more comfort from using the full diaphragmatic breath of Transformational Breathing during most of the birth process. The benefits of Transformational Breathing go far beyond the relief of pain and fear during the birth. It helps integrate the intensity of the contractions and allows the mother to work more consciously with the energies of labor instead of pushing the breath and tightening up.

Transformational Breathing is a must for pregnant women who want to give themselves and their babies the most loving and enjoyable birthing experience possible. Many feel their babies are healthier since they have been receiving greater levels of oxygen. Women often report a greater sense of connection and communication with the unborn child. Others believe their ability to be fully conscious in welcoming their newborn child into the world has been improved. The major transition into parenting is often less stressful and parents have a powerful tool for managing the intense demands of parenthood in ways that are balanced and loving.

Rebirthing is similar in that it uses a connected "circular" breathing pattern in sessions where the client is laying down comfortably. However, Transformational Breathing teaches a full diaphragmatic "belly" breath, while rebirthing stresses upper chest breathing. This involvement of the diaphragm supports the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the abdominal organs as well as clearing out the fear-driven emotional "baggage" that is stored primarily in the belly, bowels, kidneys, and sexual organs. The intention of Transformational Breathing is to clear trauma from all incarnations and Rebirthing's stated intention is to clear birth trauma. Transformational Breathing focuses and aligns the breather with the presence of God.

Holotrophic breathing is focused on investigating and healing the mental aspect of the individual. Transformational Breathing is a spiritual self-healing modality, allowing individuals to go far beyond mental healing. Transformational Breathing was developed in part after exploring "Holotrophic Breath" along with many other breathing and healing modalities. Unlike the other modalities mentioned, Transformational Breathing works with sound, hands on techniques, invocations and positive intentions.

The Buteyko or Boutako Breathing Method essentially tries to heal the symptoms of asthma by shallow and slow breathing. This helps relax the muscles that control the pattern, but do not really integrate any of the mental and emotional aspects of this condition. It does not give the breather the oxygen needed for integration. Part of the problem for asthmatics is being a mouth breather. We do use the nose breathing as an option for working with asthmatics.

We understand that the breathing problem with asthmatics is more about exhale and holding on to it with the muscles in the solar plexus. We work directly with that tension and have effective techniques to assist those muscles to relax thereby allowing the old air to empty from the lungs and thus creating more room for the new air (inhale) to enter. We also work on the mental and emotional aspects of the asthmatic condition and find it is very helpful in assisting the individual to resolve the condition on deeper levels. We monitor the oxygen and CO2 balance by insisting on a shorter, relaxed exhale, which keeps the CO2 levels from dropping.

Most folks with asthma who practice Transformational Breathing in a committed way find their condition greatly improved or gone. For further information, read "Breath Deep" and come to a Transformational Breath session to find out how this process can support improved health in asthmatics.

Yes, the Buteyko Method is quite different than Transformational Breathing. They basically have you hold your breath out and minimize respiration so that when someone does breathe, it is from the need to breathe in and out in a more spontaneous way. This has been somewhat effective for individuals with the symptoms of asthma in helping them relax their strained breathing pattern. However, I do not believe it addresses any of the mental or emotional aspects connected with the restricted breathing problems. In general, my feelings are that the more oxygen in the system the better. Try both TB and Buteyko and see which process gives you the most.

When one feels the lightheadedness that the increased oxygen brings they may think they are hyperventilating. In Transformational Breath, we are very careful not to create the stress and anxiety related to hyperventilation. The most important difference to remember is that the inhale is longer than the exhale and the exhale is as relaxed as possible in Transformational Breathing.

Typical hyperventilation is when someone blows or pushes the exhale and lowers the CO2 levels, which creates an alkaline condition in the blood, commonly known as alkalosis. This is undesirable and unhealthy. Because we emphasize a longer inhale and relaxed exhale in Transformational Breathing the oxygen levels increase and the CO2 levels stay high as well. Instead of hyperventilating we are super-oxygenating, which creates a desirable and blissful state.

There appears to be a direct relationship between a lack of cellular oxygen and a state of disease within the cell. Cancer is along a number of diseases that are classified as anaerobic diseases. The term anaerobic means "without oxygen" and when the diseased cells are infused with oxygen, the cells will stop dividing and die. There are many people receiving "oxygen therapy" with ozone, hyperbaric oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The most convenient and efficient way of receiving oxygen is by increasing and improving our own breathing. One of the greatest benefits of Transformational Breathing is providing an abundance of oxygen to the cells.

When we breathe, oxygen is taken in through the lungs into air sacs called alveoli, and from there "diffuses" into poorly oxygenated blood due to differences in oxygen concentration. The oxygen then binds to hemoglobin to be carried to cells. Very little free oxygen remains in plasma at normal atmospheric condition. This medical fact shows there is a maximum or "saturation point" to the amount of oxygen we can absorb and transport at one time.

Both Transformational Breathing and HBOT can achieve a super-oxygenated state. With HBOT, there may be even a slight advantage, due to the speed and pressure under which you bring the volume of oxygen into the blood. This is because HBOT actually increases the plasma levels of oxygen. But the minor advantage ends there. There are conditions where HBOT is not appropriate such as emphysema, certain ear dysfunction, spontaneous pneumothorax, etc.). With Transformational Breathing there are NO recognized contraindications. It is conscious breathing after all!

The greatest difference and the biggest payoff is that Transformational Breathing heals by creating a high vibrational energetic field through which we receive our prana, also known as our chi or life-force. This allows us to raise our vibration and also consciously recondition any dysfunctional breathing patterns. We can clear emotional, mental and spiritual blocks which manifest as dis-ease. HBOT is not capable of such healing and it is not inherently holistic.

It is best to use HBOT only for those who need it such as burn victims, stroke and spinal cord trauma patients, individuals with carbon monoxide poisoning and those too physically weak to take part in a conscious breathing practice. Proponents of HBOT recognize that it is merely a temporary medical measure. Transformational Breathing is a permanent deep healing modality. And it is far less expensive too!

Yes, there have been individuals who have the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and have achieved good results with Transformational Breathing. It seems like the disease creates an imbalance in the nervous system that gets calmer and more balanced as a result of opening the flow of the breath and relaxing the exhale. Good pre-session coaching can help them get clear on how the condition has served them in the past and what they would like to create for themselves now. Sometimes individuals associate so strongly with their symptoms they are unable to see who they are. Toning will also help relax the nervous system. Turning a client with Parkinson's on their stomach may help their body unwind. Transformational Breathing can be physically, emotionally and spiritually beneficial for an individual with the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

I have known individuals who when they breathe actually feel vertebrae move. However, a whiplash is a serious misalignment of the cervical spine. I would go to a professional who works with the spinal structure to help realign the vertebrae that have been forced out of alignment. But as far as breathing someone with whiplash it will help with the muscle tension that develops in such cases and will alleviate some of the discomfort and provide more blood and oxygen supply to the brain, which is compromised with a whiplash. I would make sure the neck is supported during the session and not do any leg or arm compression. If you had them pound and kick, do so with less vigor. I know transformational breathing will assist them in feeling better.

Yes, many women who learn standard methods find more comfort from using the full diaphragmatic breath of Transformational Breathing during most of the birth process. The benefits of Transformational Breathing go far beyond the relief of pain and fear during the birth. It helps integrate the intensity of the contractions and allows the mother to work more consciously with the energies of labor instead of pushing the breath and tightening up.

Transformational Breathing is a must for pregnant women who want to give themselves and their babies the most loving and enjoyable birthing experience possible. Many feel their babies are healthier since they have been receiving greater levels of oxygen. Women often report a greater sense of connection and communication with the unborn child. Others believe their ability to be fully conscious in welcoming their newborn child into the world has been improved. The major transition into parenting is often less stressful and parents have a powerful tool for managing the intense demands of parenthood in ways that are balanced and loving.

At three months pregnant the baby is smaller than a peach and would not cut off blood supply. From five months on that would be a consideration. The best position then for pregnant women is propped up, both for comfort and to not put pressure on an artery. But even if there were pressure that would not cause spotting. I believe it was a detox; a cleansing of old blood and nothing to be concerned about. The breathing would not hurt the baby or her in any way. If someone aborted after a session it would be the body releasing something that was not okay to begin with and to trust that. So far to my knowledge, that has never happened. I feel for many reasons it is good for pregnant women to do TB, release their birth trauma, give the baby more oxygen, and better energy flow and nutrients. So I am sorry the doctor was so poorly informed.

There is no problem breathing an 8 month pregnant woman. But I would make sure there is no history of heavy drug use or those toxins could be released into the baby during a session. Also, please make sure she is propped up (at least a 60 degree angle), so that the weight of the baby is not on an artery. Also, no body-mapping the belly and abdomen, although slight pressure is fine in those areas. It is fine for them to tone and move and yet not too wildly. Do not body-map the shoulder points or the inner lower legs as both these spots stimulate contractions. Breathing that far into a pregnancy is a wonderful way to bond with the child and integrate any fears around the delivery and pending parenthood.

Transformational Breathing is very good for sleep apnea. It helps integrate the unconscious death urge or the return to source urge. When individuals stop breathing and leave their bodies, they are responding to their desire (conscious or unconscious) to return to source. When they are able to leave briefly during a session, this desire is satisfied. Drugs will not really resolve that condition as it is an unfulfilled desire trying to complete. Facilitators allow space in sessions to facilitate this leaving of the body to integrate this pattern. They know that deep healing is taking place. Eventually they will encourage individuals to continue breathing and reaffirm the client's acceptance of being in a physical body experience.

This is really the integration of a pattern called "the unconscious source or death urge". This is when the breather stops breathing for a while and their awareness goes to a higher dimension. This is the healing of ones desire to go back into spirit. The leaving and coming back lessens the desire to leave until that desire is cleared. This is a relatively pleasant experience. Most do not remember their leaving, but have a recollection of coming back and feeling like they went somewhere with no memories of what happened. Eventually the pattern integrates and then as the process evolves, we leave the body awareness to access higher states of consciousness and establish pathways to those states. Since we are pioneering the understanding of integrating this type of experience, there is little known or written about it. There is more information in Judith's book "Breathe Deep, Laugh Loudly" explaining the process a bit more.

Experiencing Kundalini energy is not unusual in TB. As a matter of fact, the movement of the Kundalini energy is one of the main activities that happens in a TB session. As the breath opens up from the bottom of the respiratory system to the top, it activates the movement of the life-force, i.e. Kundalini energy. In times past, people have been warned about the dangers of the Kundalini energy opening too fast. I can understand that concern. However, when the raising of this energy happens from bottom up, coordinated with the movement of their breath, it happens in a safe and integrated way.

The raising of this energy represents the raising of one's consciousness and the opening of the corresponding chakras. If it were my client I would let them know that in TB sessions it is a safe and regulated way to raise the Kundalini. It is guided and supported by our higher selves and Beings of Light that have been invoked. Part of our enlightenment process is the raising of this energy and using it wisely in our lives.

I have worked with a number of people who have had NDEs and have found those experiences to be part of the Unconscious Death or "Source" Urge trying to integrate. It can be scary to leave your body if you do not know what is happening and yet it is quite a valuable piece to integrate, and breathing through it is not only efficient but a very effective way to clear that pattern. Regarding such clients discontinuing TB, there seems to be a big issue of losing control involved and understandably so. By continuing to breathe, the folks have the opportunity to integrate the unconscious desire to leave the physical, by leaving for a while and coming back, until the pattern has fully integrated. If that pattern is not taken care of it can create accidents, life threatening disease, and lack of energy to be in this world. It is important to work with it consciously then have it surface in one's life spontaneously at any time.

Breathing through one's mouth allows more oxygen to quickly permeate the body. It is also easier to achieve a full connected circular breathing pattern established with the open mouth technique. It is important in Transformational Breathing to breathe in and out with the same opening, either the nose or the mouth. This is because in Transformational Breathing we create an energy circuit by breathing in and out from the same place. This energy circuit is essential in the vibratory changes that take place as a result of our breathing in this way. Breathing in and out the connected way through the mouth also accesses the lower parts of the body and its energy centers, clearing and integrating any issues. In advanced levels of Transformational Breathing, we use nose connected breathing to open and access the higher energy centers. There have been no reports of problems by breathing this way during sessions and it allows many wonderful benefits to occur.

Not seeing your client breathe I can only go by what you have observed which to me sounds like a classic split between the heart and will, and which sometimes shows up in people's lives in different ways. Mostly, a split between someone's heart and ego ... it could be work, relationship, life purpose. It is not so important that the client "cop" to their breathing pattern, but for us to help them integrate that split. I bet if you talked to her more you would find the area of her life where that lack of integration existed. Sometimes turning them on their stomach helps break down that tension in the solar plexus, or pushing on the sides of the ribs also reduces the tension on the diaphragm.

Muscle cramping is called "tetany". It has a physical explanation specifically related to Transformational Breath and the integration of a certain energy pattern. When someone is in a Transformational Breathing session and a part of their body gets frozen or stiff, it represents a pattern of tension that is integrating. Emotionally it represents their fear response pattern that has surfaced. It clears with continued breathing and toning.

Tetany has to do with the way we have suppressed fear and tension throughout our lives. The important thing to remember is not to push or blow our exhale and to try to relax as much as possible especially on the exhale. Sometimes when this is happening it can feel painful or uncomfortable. If this happens, we encourage folks to tone, or make loud clear sounds. This causes the energy to move and the pattern to integrate more quickly. This is a unique aspect of TB in using sound to integrate tetany or any other type of pain. By fighting or resisting, the tetany only reinforces the pattern since it is really represents our resistance in the first place. Each time tetany happens it will diminish in intensity and eventually it will disappear.

Medical dictionaries state that tetany is due to hypocalcemia or low cellular calcium. We have a different perspective of tetany than this medical explanation. We see tetany as part of a fear response pattern that begins to clear while doing the connected breathing. If one can fully relax on the exhale with a clear letting go it will assist in allowing the pattern to integrate more easily. One of the keys is just accepting it as something interesting passing through as opposed to something negative we need to get rid of.

When this happens, the individual is often integrating all the past traumas and desires to leave and disassociate. Working with affirmations that set up more willingness and joy to be here is a good idea. The individual may have left their body and returned quickly, not remembering what to do or where they are. It could also be the memory of first coming into their body at birth and feeling the panic of being in a body. By assuring the individual that they can breathe and it is safe to be in their body, the pattern will integrate. There are some points on the body that are used to help create more grounding after a session.

It is not unusual for someone to have a very tight jaw. It is one of the primary spots for holding on to emotions, especially anger. If you tried using a mouthpiece (cut off top to a plastic water bottle) and that was not successful, apply firm and steady pressure along the jaw line. Toning and massaging the jaw bone on the cheek is also a good way to begin to relax the jaw. If you are not sure about pressure or places, try it on yourself first to get a sense of how firmly and the exact spots to help release the tension.

Shaking during sessions is fairly common. It is usually caused by a holding on during the exhale. Energy builds up and the body deals with the excessive energy by shaking. The best way to work with shaking is to relax more and look for the muscles that are tightening up on the exhale. Ideally the whole body is relaxed on the exhale, so any tension on the exhale is a form of holding on. Putting pressure on those muscles and holding firmly on both the inhale and exhale will cause those muscles to relax and the energy to flow more freely. Start putting pressure on the solar plexus area, belly and lower back then search for any other places of tension. This will eventually retrain those muscles to relax naturally. Affirmations of trust and letting go are helpful too. If the shaking gets overwhelming, then toning would be beneficial.

The movement of the diaphragm should stretch down on the inhalation. To really use the respiratory system correctly, bring the diaphragm down as deeply as possible into the abdominal cavity. It will almost seem as though you are touching the pelvic floor with your diaphragm when you maximize this movement. The further you bring it down the more space and internal opening you create so that a greater volume of air can enter the respiratory system. This also helps the exhale be more effective. As when the diaphragm is released on the exhale, the air is forced out with the change of space and internal pressure. It is similar to a rubber band being pulled and released. So the stronger the pulling down effort is on the inhale, the easier and more effective the exhale becomes.

In Transformational Breathing, the breath becomes activated as the pattern of a connected circular breath is established. When one's breath opens up, the circular breath becomes automatic or semi-automatic. This is a magical time in the session wherein one feels like they are "being breathed". Many experience tingling in different parts of the body and feel a shift in their consciousness. While activated one moves through the perfect process needed at that time to improve their state of being and raise their energy level. The more one is able to relax and surrender during the activated state, the more they are able to receive greater depth and integration. In essence, activation is one's ability to surrender to the flow of the life force through their system.

Case Study: We use mouth-breathing in the very beginning of our journey with TB to allow us to access the lower parts of the respiratory system and lower chakras. As the breath opens and moves up we can switch to connected nose-breathing mixed with mouth breathing in sessions, or use nose-breathing to specifically work with the upper energy centers or the 3rd Spiritual Level.

In some cases with mouth-breathing clients with asthma I have actually coached them into nose-breathing early on in their sessions. Nose-breathing with them can allow them not to use the breathing pattern that is associated with their condition. Usually, when asthmatics have an "attack " they breath in forcefully with their mouth and then push the exhale while contracting the muscles in the diaphragm which does not allow the air to release and thus create any internal space for new air to come in. And then they try even harder to get air and the cycle gets worse. Sometimes nose-breathing will break this stressful breathing pattern and will allow the asthmatic to begin to breathe in a more relaxed manner.

After working with a certified facilitator, there is really no problem in breathing more than once a day.

Experiencing Kundalini energy is not unusual in TB. As a matter of fact, the movement of the Kundalini energy is one of the main activities that happens in a TB session. As the breath opens up from the bottom of the respiratory system to the top, it activates the movement of the life-force, i.e. Kundalini energy. In times past, people have been warned about the dangers of the Kundalini energy opening too fast. I can understand that concern. However, when the raising of this energy happens from bottom up, coordinated with the movement of their breath, it happens in a safe and integrated way.

The raising of this energy represents the raising of one's consciousness and the opening of the corresponding chakras. If it were my client I would let them know that in TB sessions it is a safe and regulated way to raise the Kundalini. It is guided and supported by our higher selves and Beings of Light that have been invoked. Part of our enlightenment process is the raising of this energy and using it wisely in our lives.

It is probably true in your everyday breathing that you can breathe more deeply and yet in TB we consider flow more important than volume. It is not as important to get as full a breath as possible as it is to keep the breath flowing without any pauses. The emphasis is on the inhale so that tends make the inhale big enough for the purposes of TB. We also do not need to have all the air leave the lungs on the exhale, just a gentle letting go and relaxation of the diaphragm is sufficient to accomplish the energy needed for the integration that happens in TB.

Yes. The reason for the breathing without any pauses during TB has to do with the electromagnetic circuit that is being created by that particular breathing pattern. If one pauses between the inhale / exhale or the exhale / inhale it breaks that circuit. It is that high energy that produces the permanent energetic changes that one experiences in the TB sessions.

There is no real significance. It represents a number of breaths that one can do on their own without going too deeply into the process and yet by doing the 100 breaths, one can begin to feel the many gifts that lie within the experience of Transformational Breathing.

Case Study notes: Client reports that conventional doctors have turned up nothing. She has had pulmonary function tests, a CT scan of the lungs to look for clots, an ultrasound of the heart, an EKG, a check for a PFO (hole in the heart), and for hypoglycemia. Client has anxiety but reports that this happens even at times when completely relaxed. Hunger seems to bring it on more.

It sounds as if you are simply not using your respiratory system effectively. None of the medical experts you have consulted are proficient in that information. If you were trained to breathe more optimally (i.e. full diaphragmatic breaths), you would get all the oxygen your system needs and more. The fact that you are feeling anxiety shows me your are not breathing the most effective way. Transformational Breathing would not only give you better oxygen supply but would also be able to resolve those emotions as well. I would suggest attending a week Seminar or a series of 5 or 6 sessions so that you would be able to do TB on your own after that.

Nausea and even vomiting are seen occasionally in TB sessions. Usually it represents emotions that have been "gagged" down and the vomiting reflex is a way of allowing these emotions to come up. It is perfectly acceptable and no cause for concern.

Case study notes: Male client, 35 minutes into a gentle session tetany became excruciating pain (his words) throughout his body. Belly was very tight and he wanted to quit, but kept breathing. The tetany subsided only after 1 3/4 hours. His breath was quite open, but with forced exhale in the belly and pronounced pauses at both ends.

Let the client know that the tetany represents a fear response pattern and also one of holding on. The best thing is to focus on relaxing his exhale and not in a controlled way. If energy and tension build up in the session then tone until they release. Try to find the muscles that are tightening up and work on relaxing them (e.g. placing pressure on the restricted area during inhale and exhale). A good way to start in a gentler fashion is to have them yawn and then sigh, this opens the breath up slowly and from there you can connect the breath in a gentler pace. The tetany, no matter how pronounced, is not a cause for concern.

Transformational Breathing can be a very powerful tool when someone is going through their transition. The best way is to connect with the spirit of the person and work from that level. Most folks getting ready to leave have a lot of tension and fear of letting go stored in the solar plexus so gently putting your hand there will help relax it. The most important part is to coach them to surrender and relax the exhale. They can mimic your relaxed breath and you can assist them by affirming it is safe to let go and trust. At some point the client will begin to relax and let go. This represents their ability to let go of the body and go to a higher level. Sometimes saying "Ahhh" on the exhale helps create the relaxation response that will help them finally let go. Be sure and call on their Spirit and the angels to guide them in their process of letting go. It is a beautiful experience to support someone going through their transition. It is important that everyone involved in the situation is aligned with the intention to let go of physical life.