Body & Breath

Breathwork

Simple breathwork techniques can offer gentle support when energy is low and the body feels overwhelmed. By bringing attention to the breath, even in small, natural ways, it can help ease the experience of fatigue, reducing the effort and allowing more restfulness to emerge. Soft, steady breathing can also help calm the nervous system, which may lessen the intensity of pain or the distress that often accompanies it. In this way, the breath becomes a quiet anchor, offering moments of comfort, steadiness, and relief.

The video belows gives a summary of the benefits and science behind Breathwork, particularly for those with chronic disease, fatigue, pain and end of life diagnosis.

Stage 1 Breathwork practice, 10minutes

This practice is best done upright in a chair or propped up in bed with cushions. If you are not sure if this breathwork is for you please consult your GP first. This video is designed for those completely new to breathwork who also have health issues including chronic illness or pain. If you feel unwell at any point during participating in the breathwork please stop immeadiately. If you are on oxygen it is advised to do all of the exercises through your mouth.

Exercises covered in this video:

Pursued lip breathing
Blowing out candle
Whistle breath
Belly breathing

Stage 2 Breathwork practice, 15 minutes

Please do ensure you feel competent at the stage 1 breathwork video before trying this video. This practice is best done upright in a chair or propped up in bed with cushions. If you are not sure if this breathwork is for you please consult your GP first. This video is designed for those completely new to breathwork who also have health issues including chronic illness or pain. If you feel unwell at any point during participating in the breathwork please stop immeadiately. If you are on oxygen it is advised to do all of the exercises through your mouth.

Exercises covered in this video:

Fierce breath (bad smell breath)
Belly breathing
Coherent breath
Triangle breath - gentle pause on inhale

Stage 3 Breath work, 15 minutes

Please ensure you have feel competent in the stage 1 and stage 2 breathwork videos before trying this one. This practice is best done upright in a chair or propped up in bed with cushions. If you are not sure if this breathwork is for you please consult your GP first. This video is designed for those completely new to breathwork who also have health issues including chronic illness or pain. If you feel unwell at any point during participating in the breathwork please stop immeadiately. If you are on oxygen it is advised to do all of the exercises through your mouth.

Exercises covered in this video:

Blow as you go
Triangle breath - soft hold on the inhale
Box breathing - soft holds, inhale and exhale

Meditation

A gentle introduction to meditation, especially suitable for those who are new or unsure where to begin. These simple, guided practices invite you to rest your attention and there is no way to 'do it wrong'. Even a few moments of quiet awareness can potentially bring a sense of ease, steadiness, and support.

Meditation 1, body scan, 10 mins

Set the scene, take just 10 minutes for yourself and this practice. You can be seated or lying down (more likely to fall asleep but that is ok).

Set up a relaxing environment with few distractions (where possible). This practice is a body scan where you are guided through the body to feel into different areas. Ideal for those who have not tried meditation or mindfulness before and would like to give it a go - you cannot do it wrong. Just taking this small amount of time out from your day can have a profound impact on your wellbeing.

Ideal to practice daily. If you like this approach there are two more meditaiton videos in this series on the breath and a visualisation.

Meditation 2, visualisation,10 mins

Set the scene, take just 10 minutes for yourself and this practice. You can be seated or lying down (more likely to fall asleep but that is ok).

Set up a relaxing environment with few distractions (where possible). This practice is a visualisation where you are guided through a walk in an English meadow on a spring day. Ideal for those who have not tried meditation or mindfulness before and would like to give it a go - you cannot do it wrong. Just taking this small amount of time out from your day can have a profound impact on your wellbeing.

Ideal to practice daily. If you like this approach there are two more meditaiton videos in this series on the breath and a body scan

Meditation 3, breath, 10 mins

Set the scene, take just 10 minutes for yourself and this practice. You can be seated or lying down (more likely to fall asleep but that is ok).

Set up a relaxing environment with few distractions (where possible). This practice is a guided focused practice on the breath and labelling. Ideal for those who have not tried meditation or mindfulness before and would like to give it a go - you cannot do it wrong. Just taking this small amount of time out from your day can have a profound impact on your wellbeing.

Ideal to practice daily. If you like this approach there are two more meditaiton videos in this series on a body scan and a visualisation.

Other Meditation offerings

For those who would like to explore meditation further or already have an established meditation practice. Here are some incredible resources. Gaia House is a wonderful retreat centre just north of Dartmoor and hosts retreats on the topic of death and dying. Will and Mattie are both dear friends who are incredible meditation teachers.

Gaia House

Host a monthly gathering online for those who are currently living with ongoing illness, dying, or bereavement. Gaia House is a beautiful retreat centre just north of Dartmoor in Devon.

Gaia House

Will Evans

Will has a rich offering of different meditations on his website and there is a key to see which ones are best for you. Will also offers retreats and online offerings.

Will Evans

Mattie Albury

Many different meditations from Bristolian Mattie on Insight timer. All of which are suitable for beginners. Mattie is also a chaplain and teaches yoga and meditation in prisons.

Mattie Albury

Henry Shukman

Zen meditation teacher, author and poet. The Way app is an excellent resource for those wanting to regularly meditate with a guided path to follow. Henry also runs retreats.

Henry Shukman

Movement

Gentle, accessible breath-based movement to support the body with care and ease. These simple chair-based practices are designed to be done at your own pace, helping to release tension, support circulation, and create a little more space in the body. Even small, mindful movements can bring comfort, connection, and a sense of lightness.

Movement, level 1,10 minutes

This chair based exercise practice may be suitable for those with very limited mobility, significant illness or chronic pain. This is the first level in a series of three videos of chair based exercise.

For level 1 you would need to be able to sit upright in a chair. Please ensure you complete this video before progressing to stage 2 and 3. Using a upright, dining room chair is ideal that has arm supports and take some time to create a relaxing enviroment with few distractions.

If you are unsure if this video is for you do check with your GP or relevant healthcare practitioner first. If any of the exercises do not feel good in your body then please stop and rest.

Movement, level 2, 10 minutes

This chair based exercise practice may be suitable for those with very limited mobility, significant illness or chronic pain. This is the second level in a series of three videos of chair based exercise.

For level 2 you would need to be able to sit upright in a chair, to stand up with support and stand upright with support. Please ensure you complete level 1 before doing this video. Using a upright, dining room chair is ideal that has arm supports and take some time to create a relaxing enviroment with few distractions.

If you are unsure if this video is for you do check with your GP or relevant healthcare practitioner first. If any of the exercises do not feel good in your body then please stop and rest.

Movement, level 3, 10 minutes

This chair based exercise practice may be suitable for those with very limited mobility, significant illness or chronic pain. This is the third level in a series of three videos of chair based exercise.

For level 3 you would need to be able to stand with support and stand on one leg with support. Please ensure you have completed levels 1 and 2 before trying level 3. Using a upright, dining room chair is ideal that has arm supports and take some time to create a relaxing enviroment with few distractions.

If you are unsure if this video is for you do check with your GP or relevant healthcare practitioner first. If any of the exercises do not feel good in your body then please stop and rest.