What is BreathPlay? (And why it’s different from traditional Breathwork)
What is BreathPlay (sometimes known as BreathPray) ?
It’s a play on words from traditional Breathwork. I first heard the term from my own teacher, Johann Urb, who I trained with in the Pyramid Breath Method. I loved the reframe and started adopting it because it challenges our brain’s association of this wonderful modality with “work.” And also because there are some core differences between this method and traditional Breathwork, which I’ll share below.
Expressive Breathwork
I often introduce BreathPlay as a playful breath practice for embodiment and expression. In many of the spaces I hold, it’s also a powerful practice for emotional release. There are a few key elements that make this practice unique:
We are seated instead of lying down
We include movement
We use A LOT of sounds
Staying IN the body
The reason we are seated, instead of lying down like in many traditional Breathwork modalities, is because we really want you to stay in your body. There’s medicine in having an out-of-body experience through breath, but that’s not what we’re doing here. To access embodiment and dial up the senses, we move the spine the whole time (think: cat-cow movements in your yoga class).
Apart from undulating the spine, we also encourage primal movements…. like shaking the body! Because we now know so much of the “stuff” we want to release is stored in the body: in our cells, our fascia, also our energetic field. And by moving with the energy, we return to the body’s primal wisdom of purging and releasing.
We also use a lot, and I mean a lottttttttt of sounds. From screaming, speaking gibberish, and moaning, to loud sighs… whatever the body is carrying, we create a safe space for our voice to be the messenger. Not just to release stuck energy, but also to signal safety to the nervous system.
Think: when does your body naturally moan? It’s when it feels really good and safe! In these spaces, we are retraining the body to feel safe again in expressing ourselves.
This can feel really intimidating before it feels really good
Not gonna lie, a lot of people feel intimidated when they first encounter BreathPlay because it’s SO expressive. And one thing society does very well is limiting our expression.
If you’re crying → “Aw, don’t cry!”
If you’re angry → people get scared and label you as an “angry person.”
If you’re so happy you start dancing & singing → you’re a weirdo.
The. List. Goes. On.
BreathPlay invites alllllll of your expressions back, to have a seat at the table. To laugh, moan, cry, scream, be silly, without labels & judgement. I truly believe that to be human is to feel the full spectrum of emotions. And when we have a space to express and clear what was previously shamed or suppressed? Ohlala… it’s freedom like you’ve never felt before.
Let’s do a 6-minute practice together!
Ok, there’s only so much words can paint. This truly is a practice that needs to be felt and experienced. Of course, I’d love for you to receive the full session of at least 30 minutes. But I know a lot of us have really busy schedules. So! Here’s a short and sweet practice I included as part of the free guide to my Emotional Era Quiz 🤍
This short quiz identifies people in 6 different emotional eras + archetypes. And this practice was recorded specifically for “The Alchemist” archetype :)
Enjoy!!
NOTE: BreathPlay is not recommended for those who are currently pregnant, or navigating any medical / psychiatric conditions such as (but not limited to) cardiovascular Issues, heart or respiratory issues, epilepsy, mental health challenges, trauma history, panic attacks or psychosis. Otherwise, experiences such as lightheadedness, tingling sensations or emotional release are considered normal, especially during the faster breaths. If you have any concerns, please consult a medical professional before entering the practice.
How was your practice? 🪄
I’d love to hear about your experience, feel free to send me a message on Instagram or directly to my inbox casey@caseyblossoms.com 💌