In the midst of our busy lives, in the hustle and bustle of modern society, there lies a simple yet profound truth that for some has been forgotten—breath is power.

The journey, for all of us, begins with the instinctive inhalations of infancy. When we are born, we often know how to breathe. We send the breath deep into the belly and it calms the little body. Yet, for me, as a girl who grew up in the United States, society's expectations weighed upon me, and I found myself entangled in a web of misconceptions about beauty and body image. The shallow breaths of conformity replaced the deep, nourishing breaths of my childhood. I wanted to look thin, skinny. I learned to suck in my stomach at all times.

​Reflecting on my journey, I recall the pivotal moments that shaped my relationship with breath. In the throes of adolescence, my mom got me into therapy. The therapist Nicole would say to breathe when I would get upset or agitated, but she didn’t teach me how. The guidance I received merely scratched the surface.

It wasn't until my early 20’s as started practicing asana, and mindfulness meditation that I unearthed the transformative power of my own breath. With each mindful inhalation, I reclaimed a piece of myself—a sense of presence, of groundedness in the groundlessness of life. The practice of breathing fully into my belly became a cornerstone of my healing journey, a catalyst for channeling chaotic energy into creative expression. But I was still sucking in my stomach.

In early 2023, when one of my best friends became pregnant, she asked me and our “Soul Sister Circle,” a group of our closest friends, “Do you all notice that you suck in your stomachs? Now that I am pregnant, I realized how much freedom I give myself to let me stomach be just as it is, and I am no longer sucking in.” Among my girlfriends, it was a resounding, “Yes, we suck in too.” It was then that I realized that my friends and I were all holding in our stomachs and the simple act of breathing had been distorted by external influences, veiling the innate wisdom of our bodies most fundamental bridge to life; the breath.

I myself, now am a formally trained holistic therapist and the founder of The Makaranda Method, where we teach our clients HOW to breathe. I am privileged to pass on this gift of breath as power to fellow women—a beacon of empowerment amidst life's challenges. We recorded a meditation where we lead you through this process of how to breathe deeply on our Makaranda Method podcast called Breath is Power.

The essence of our practice lies in the simplicity of breath—connecting mind, body, soul, spirit and nature in a harmonious dance of awareness. Placing our hands gently on our bellies, we surrender to the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation—a sacred ritual of expansion and contraction. The word for this is spanda in Sanscrit. In each breath, we cultivate space within ourselves, nurturing the strength and resilience needed to navigate life's ebb and flow.

Scientifically, studies have shown that deep diaphragmatic breathing promotes relaxation and enhances the body's natural healing mechanisms. By engaging the diaphragm, we stimulate the vagus nerve—a key player in the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for inducing a state of calm and relaxation. Thus, the simple act of breathing becomes a potent tool for holistic wellness, fostering a sense of balance and vitality.

In our journey towards empowerment, we embrace the mantra: "Breath is Power." It is a reminder of our inherent strength, our capacity to rise above adversity with grace and resilience. Through the transformative power of breath, we reclaim our voice, our agency, our essence as women.

As I continue on this path of self-discovery, I am reminded of the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness and I will keep sharing what I am learning with you here on this blog. Be well friends.

To listen to our meditation, click the links below:
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​Spotify | Breath is Power
​Buzzsprout | Breath is Power