Health Update: How breathwork can help people thrive in wellness journey – What Experts Say

“Trust the process,” says Jemma Carson as she gently taps out a rhythm on her drum.

“Breathe in time with the beat.”

While breathing is something we do automatically, many of us are doing it wrong, explains the founder of Thrive Wellness, a holistic health business specialising in breathwork.

After experiencing the benefits of breathwork first-hand, Jemma set up Thrive Wellness to help others learn the life-changing impact of “breathing properly”.

“Most people breathe too fast and too shallow,” says Jemma.

“This signals to the body that it is in a state of stress and continues to compound any anxiety that they are already feeling.

“Low, slow through the nose, that’s how we should all breathe, we need to train ourselves to relax more.”

That’s exactly what Jemma did five years ago after a series of life hurdles, including a relationship breakdown, left her anxious and stressed.

“I had been dealing with a lot so I began exploring meditation and ways to calm my nervous system,” she explains.

“I came across breathwork and started exploring wellness practices and I immediately felt more connected to myself, more grounded and calm.”

Learning to breathe properly was so life changing that Jemma began studying the art of breathwork.

After completing her masters in the skill she started her own business to help others learn how to breathe.

“It has helped me so much I wanted to share it with others,” explains Jemma.

“I loved seeing the transformation in other people as well as myself.”

A study of more than 11,500 people who practised breathwork for nine weeks showed improvements in mental and emotional well-being, with a more than 20 per cent increase in focus, sleep and calmness and a 40 per cent or more drop in anxiety, fatigue and depression.

“People say take a deep breath for a reason,” explains Jemma.

“It is an expression that is thousands of years old because taking a deep breath really works, it resets our nervous system.”

Jemma says one of her biggest challenges in explaining healing breathwork is that it’s experiential.

“It’s difficult to fully articulate how it feels,” she says.

“It’s something that truly needs to be practiced to understand its depth and impact.”

Jemma practises what she preaches and now, after years of study, spends just five minutes everyday gaining the benefits of breathwork.

“In today’s world, most of us are constantly caught up in our day-to-day lives and rarely allow ourselves time to be still,” says Jemma.

“When we finally create space to slow down and breathe intentionally, we often realise just how much we’ve been holding onto beneath the surface.

“Breathwork is especially powerful for people who struggle with traditional meditation, as it gives busy minds something active to focus on rather than sitting and trying not to think.

“Breathwork helps people drop into a grounded, meditative state much more quickly and naturally.”

Along with being a qualified breathwork instructor, Jemma is also an integrated neuro linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner.

Using NLP, Jemma teaches clients how to make positive changes in attitude, emotional responses, communication and relationships.

“I am dedicated to helping people achieve profound transformation and personal growth,” says Jemma.

“I also provide one-on-one life coaching, ice bath sessions, and wellness retreats and workshops for private and corporate events.”

For more information visit the Thrive Wellness website at thrivewellness.net.au.