An Appointment with Yourself
Introduction
“An Appointment with Yourself” is the second class in a five part series on the Breath hosted by Pernilla Burke and Abdi Assadi.
There was a time when I did not think about my breath. It was simply something happening in the background, unnoticed and unappreciated. I lived mostly in my mind, absorbed in thoughts, emotions, and distractions. Like many people, I did not realize that the way I was breathing was quietly shaping my experience of the world. It was only when I began paying attention that I understood the subtle power of the breath. It became a bridge between my thoughts and my body, between anxiety and ease, and between unconsciousness and awareness. Once I noticed it, I could not unsee it.
Breath is the foundation of so much. It influences our nervous system, our emotions, and our sense of presence. Yet many of us breathe in ways that keep us locked in stress and disconnection. In this class, Abdi and I explore the simple yet profound ways breath can shift our state of being. We talk about why breath matters, how many of us have lost touch with natural breathing patterns, and how gentle practices can guide us back to calm, clarity, and connection.
This is not about advanced techniques or rigid practices. It’s about something much deeper: an invitation to make an appointment with yourself, to show up, to breathe, and to be present in your own life.
The Importance of Breath for Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation
When was the last time you truly noticed your breath? Not just an inhale or an exhale, but the full experience of breathing; the way your body expands, the way the air moves, the way your nervous system responds? Breath is more than a biological function. It is a tool for presence, a doorway into mindfulness, a rhythm that brings us home to ourselves. When we breathe unconsciously, we are at the mercy of our emotions. But when we become aware of our breath, we become aware of everything. Most of us are locked in a cycle of shallow, unconscious breathing that reinforces stress, anxiety, and disconnection. But mindful breathing allows us to create space. It gives us the pause we need before reacting, the awareness we need to shift our emotions, and the stillness we need to hear ourselves again. When we breathe deeply, we tell our bodies that we are safe. We activate the parasympathetic nervous system, sending signals of calm and ease. This is why breathwork is so powerful: it doesn’t just change how we feel, it changes how we experience life.
Shallow Breathing vs. Belly Breathing
If you watch a newborn baby breathe, you’ll notice something: their belly rises and falls effortlessly. They breathe fully, naturally. But somewhere along the way, we unlearn this. We start breathing high in our chest, holding tension, taking in less air than we need. Shallow breathing keeps us in survival mode. It reinforces stress, keeping us in a loop of reactivity. Belly breathing, on the other hand, is a return to our body’s natural wisdom. It grounds us, calms us, and reconnects us to ourselves. When we breathe deeply into our belly, we send oxygen-rich blood to the brain, improving clarity and focus. We release tension that has been stored in the body. We make space for emotions to flow rather than be suppressed. Relearning how to breathe isn’t about doing something new, it’s about undoing the conditioning that took us away from our breath in the first place.
Practical Breathing Techniques for Daily Life
It is easy to talk about breathwork. Bringing it into daily life is something else entirely. This is where real transformation happens, not in theory, but in practice. The beauty of the breath is that it asks for nothing special. No equipment. No perfect setting. It meets us exactly where we are.
In this episode, we explore simple and effective breathing practices that can be woven into even the busiest days. The 4 7 8 breath helps slow the heart rate and calm the nervous system. Box breathing supports focus and mental clarity. Small pauses for conscious breathing throughout the day create space for stillness. One of my favorite practices is simply taking a full breath before responding, whether to stress, an overwhelming thought, or even a moment of joy. Breath allows us to experience life rather than react to it. We often imagine transformation as something grand or difficult. Yet sometimes the smallest shift, like one deep and intentional breath, has the power to change everything.
Conclusion
Breath is the simplest, most accessible tool for transformation. It costs nothing, requires no training, and is available in every moment. And yet, it is often the thing we neglect the most. This class is a a reminder to pause, to notice, to breathe. Because when we do, we return to something profound: ourselves. This is the appointment we must keep.
The appointment with ourselves.
