Back To Breath With Block Therapy

Our quality of life is determined by the way we breathe. Even though oxygen is our most basic human need, most of us aren’t aware of how important proper breathing is for our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. It seems the majority of today’s population is living with pain, anxiety, and depression. Prescribing pills to ease the symptoms is the first reaction of many doctors, as they overlook the main cause of our global health crisis.

Have you ever had a doctor just watch you breathe, and quietly observe? Recent studies show that breathing pattern disorders are the underlying cause of most modern-day health issues. It’s time to get back to basics and focus on the breath. Recognizing and treating breathing pattern disorders would drastically improve overall health. The breath should be the first thing a doctor checks with each patient, on every visit, as current research links disordered breathing patterns with perceived pain levels, fatigue, anxiety, and stress.

Obviously you are getting enough oxygen to survive, but are you getting enough to thrive? How often do you observe your breath, slow it down, and take it deep into the abdomen? Many of us lead stressful lives, and our breath is fast and shallow. As a result, there isn’t enough time for the chemical reactions needed for homeostasis and optimal oxygen delivery. When we rush around with a shallow, “fight or flight” breath, the oxygen doesn’t make it to the muscles, organs, tissues efficiently. This results in low energy, constricted blood vessels, shortness of breath, weak immune systems, and mental instability.

It is a well-known fact that over time, stress can kill. It changes breathing patterns, which in turn feeds back into stress like a vicious circle. Stress and breath are intricately linked. Fast, shallow, mouth breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system, puts stress on the ribs and lungs, and inhibits oxygen absorption, which leads to conditions like sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, fibromyalgia. Dry mouth, chronic fatigue, cold hands and feet due to restricted blood vessels are also signs of stress, which can be reduced partly by breathing slowly through the nose, deep into the belly.

Slow nasal breathing warms, filters, and humidifies the air. It quiets the mind and increases blood flow throughout the body. Slow breathing gives the body time to reset in the pause between each breath, allowing vital chemical reactions and gas exchange needed to deliver oxygen to muscles, organs, brain, etc. Nitric oxide is produced in the nasal cavity, a compound that has anti-inflammatory effects and helps dilate the blood vessels to increase blood flow. Slow, deep nasal breathing activates the diaphragm and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the effects of stress on the body. Prana receptors are also located in the nasal passage, playing a huge role in calming the mind and organs.

How can something so simple be overlooked and ignored? We are in a global health crisis, and the main culprit is improper breathing. Shallow breathing, combined with sedentary lifestyles, stored emotions, and trauma “text neck” posture, is causing us to spiral downward into pain, disease, low vibrational existence, and rapid aging. As we fall out of alignment, the rib cage collapses into the core, compressing the lungs and heart towards the back of the chest. The fascia, (recently named the organ of emotions and proprioception) becomes dehydrated, trapping cells in a toxic environment with limited space and limited oxygen.

The state of our fascia is deeply connected to our breath and overall health. Healthy fascia is hydrated, flexible, and resilient. Brittle, dehydrated fascia results in compressed, toxic tissue - a breeding ground for pain and disease.

There are many different types of breath-work and fascia release techniques. However, when tissue is compressed with a force of up to 2,000 lbs. per square inch and it is not addressed using the breath, it can be ineffective. Athletic Therapist and Fluid Isometrics founder Deanna Hansen realized the importance of breath and the need to decompress fascia in her own body. She created the ground-breaking, state of the art self-care body and breath-work combination called Block Therapy, successfully healing her SELF and assisting many others.

Block Therapy decompresses and realigns the body to bring it back into proper flow. It slows the breath down and strengthens the diaphragm. It creates space for oxygen-rich blood flow, inflates the space with the breath, and maintains that space with proper alignment and core strengthening. It is a meditation, therapy, and exercise all in one practice, which literally strengthens the immune system and trains the brain to maintain a slow, healthy breathing pattern. Block Therapy decompresses, hydrates and cleans the body on the cellular level. It moves into the spirals to release adhesions, awakening the cells previously blocked from flow, changing every aspect of your being. “When you learn how to support your fascia, your body becomes more than just a physical container for survival. It becomes your means to thrive.” - Deanna Hansen

Nobody likes pain, and we have been programmed to run away from it. Block Therapy teaches us to embrace pain in the body. Deanna realized that pain is the body’s language, meaning our cells need food, space, flow, and a clean environment. Pain is caused by fascial grips that block blood and energy flow and hold the body out of alignment. Block Therapy uses a wooden block to find pain (restrictions) and a slow, deep, controlled breath to warm the tissue enough to release them, opening up the flood gates for blood flow. Block Therapy turns the fear of pain into understanding and compassion, and it is the missing link in self-care. Deanna’s book, “Decompressing Fascia - The Missing Link In Self - Care”, tells the story of her journey that led to the creation of Block Therapy and Fluid Isometrics, and includes mind-blowing testimonials.

Take your health into your own hands, move forward in a healthy, peaceful way, and look forward to every day with less pain, anxiety, depression, and less stress.

Stay informed of the latest Block Therapy developments and class options with the monthly newsletter and receive a free copy of Deanna’s book https://kd167.isrefer.com/go/newsletter/radiorach/

For more information on Block Therapy, see www.iloveblocktherapy.com