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 didn’t think about my breath. It was just something that happened in the background, unnoticed and unappreciated. I lived in my mind, lost in thoughts, emotions, and distractions. And like most people, I didn’t realize that the way I was breathing was shaping my experience of the world. It wasn’t until I started paying attention that I understood the breath’s quiet power. It became a bridge—between my thoughts and my body, between anxiety and ease, between unconsciousness and awareness. And once I noticed it, I couldn’t unsee it. Breath is the foundation of everything—our nervous system, our emotions, our sense of presence. Yet, so many of us breathe in a way that keeps us stuck in stress and disconnection. In this class, Abdi and I explore the simple but profound ways breath can transform our state of being. We talk about why breath matters, how most of us are breathing incorrectly, and how simple practices can bring us back to a place of calm and clarity.
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’s easy to talk about breathwork. It’s another thing entirely to bring it into our daily lives. This is where the real transformation happens—not in theory, but in practice. And the beauty of breath is that it requires no special equipment, no specific setting. It meets us exactly where we are.
In this episode, we explore simple, effective breathing techniques that can be integrated into even the busiest of days. The 4-7-8 breath slows the heart rate and calms the nervous system. Box breathing enhances focus and clarity. Conscious breathing pauses throughout the day create space for stillness. One of my favorite practices is simply taking a deep breath before responding—whether to a stressful situation, an overwhelming thought, or even a moment of joy. Breath allows us to experience life instead of reacting to it. We often think of transformation as something grand and difficult. But sometimes, the smallest shifts—like taking one deep, intentional breath—have 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 reminder—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.
