Are you breathing correctly? 

Did you know that some of us are reverse breathers?

I want to help you incorporate more intentional focused breathing in your days so you can slowly carve out moments of peace in your day. Moments when you are simple you, checking in with yourself, caring for yourself.

Take a moment and breathe with me.

The video shows my body today, and out of respect for it and as someone who wants to change her relationship with the aesthetics of the physical form, I am sharing all of my shape in this reel.

It's not an easy thing to do because I grew up in a world where a body like this was unacceptable, undesirable, and something that should be hidden.

I have spent so many years trying to hide my perceived physical imperfections. I look back on pictures I didn't share because I thought my stomach looked too big, and I envy that body now. I feel sad that I couldn't see it for how healthy, strong, and beautiful it was.

As someone who lives with illness and has a father who has lost both legs, I want to show gratitude and celebrate what my body can still do for me

I use mantras to override my dysfunctional thinking.

I grew up in a dysfunctional home.

The reality is when you grow up in a dysfunctional environment your brain wires dysfunctionally because you learn from the adults around you and if they're dysfunctional your little brain doesn't know any different. It learns for the ones you love, it trust them completely to show them how to live and love.

And so my job as an adult is to rewire the different parts of my brain so that instead of falling into dysfunctional patterns of thinking, behaving and over exaggerated feelings, I am consciously and actively teaching it healthy ways of being and functioning.

I use mantras as a tool to help rewire my brain.

If you experience five or more of these symptoms, lasting for two weeks or more, you should speak with your GP.

Feeling sad, anxious, hopeless or worthless, lonely, isolated

Low energy, feeling tired

Under or oversleeping, waking frequently during the night or having difficulty getting to sleep

Poor concentration and thinking slowed down

Loss of interest in hobbies, family or social life

Low self-esteem, and feelings of guilt

Aches and pains with no physical basis, e.g. chest, head or tummy pain associated with anxiety or stress

Loss of interest in living, thinking about death, suicidal thoughts

Sometimes symptoms of depression or anxiety may share similar symptoms to other conditions which are why speaking with your GP can be a really good first step.