About Breath Matters

---

Our breath is the only tool we have as humans that we can consciously use to influence and regulate our autonomic nervous system. It is a free and invaluable way to support our body managing its biochemistry, which in turn regulates how we think, feel and act.

At Breath Matters, we believe in the science-backed principles of focusing on nasal breathing and breathing light, low and slow. 

A common misconception is that the primary stimulus to breathing comes from our need for oxygen. In fact, it is our body's desire to regulate carbon dioxide levels that stimulates our breathing pattern. In turn, optimal levels of carbon dioxide in our respiratory system, promote optimal levels of carbon dioxide in our blood. This helps to regulate our blood's PH and supports the release of oxygen from our blood into our tissues so every cell in our body can perform optimally. See how brilliant our breath is! Then, we can consider the breath's impact on chemoreceptors and hormones and it is clear how vital our breathing pattern is to regulate our physiological and psychological wellbeing.

While coaching clients on how to breathe functionally to support the body's biochemistry, we also consider the mechanics of breathing to ensure we are breathing optimally.

Our breathing pattern during the day affects our breathing pattern at night. Learning to breathe through our noses at night can also help to reduce a dry mouth in the morning, snoring and sleep apnea, while promoting a more restful night's sleep.

Sessions take place at 15 Townsend Road, Harpenden, AL5 4BQ, where a quiet space is available in which to practice breathwork under Rebecca's guidance. Alternatively, sessions can take place at your home, if within AL5, and you have a quiet space in which we can work together without distraction. 

It is fundamental that your child or young person is willing to practice breathing techniques between sessions in order to improve  their functional breathing pattern over time. Improving functional breathing patterns takes time, effort, patience and self-awareness. 

Sessions for children require the presence of a parent or carer so that you can also learn the exercises to be practised daily at home, model these when at home and support your child in their daily breathwork practice. Sessions for those aged 14-18 can be taught without an adult or guardian present as long as express parental or carer permission is received in writing in advance.

Sessions are one hour in duration and cost £75 for a single session.  Generally, three sessions is the minimum number to cover all breathing techniques. A block of three sessions costs £215. Five sessions would be typical to improve accountability and ensure your child or young person is able to continue independently in your breathwork practice. A block of five sessions costs £345.