Meet The Practitioner – Corporate Breathwork Workshops
Today we welcome Alan Ball to the Careys Manor blog! Alan has kindly taken the time to answer some questions for us about his Breathwork career and the workshop available to our Corporate Wellness conference package guests.
1. First, for those who might not be familiar with your practice, can you briefly explain what it is and what your session involves?
Conscious connected Breathwork is a gentle breath practise, focusing on your own rhythm, connecting the breath; i.e. deleting any pauses, extending the inhale and then simply letting go of the exhale, creating a slow, connected rhythmical breath pattern. During my sessions, you will be shown the 5 simple techniques of this style of breathwork before a brief demonstration, and then get a chance to practise with an opportunity to ask any questions. We’ll then move into an extended breath, followed by a final opportunity to a ask any questions.
2. We’d love to know how you got started in what is quite a unique career path… is it something you always dreamed of doing?
It was simply the effect my first breath workshop had on me. Unknowingly, it had allowed me to begin to become myself; my true self. I was more aware of my feelings and emotions and as a result knew that I needed more in my life and that breathwork would be the mechanism to help me. By becoming a practitioner, I now have the perfect balance between a corporate life and my wellbeing life… my service and my purpose both as important as each other.
3. How long have you been practicing for now, and did you undergo lots of training?
I’ve been practising now for around 4 years and my training lasted just over 12 months. It was a combination of online and face-to-face learning so was easy to fit into my lifestyle.
4. What do you enjoy most about your work, and leading the sessions?
I really enjoy the fact that my work and sessions are non-specific, so we never know what’s going to happen! That in itself is so enjoyable, however showing an individual or a group for the first time how they can change their lives and remove all sorts of trauma, anxiety, stress, or even improve their own health just by focussing on their breath is always such an amazing experience.
5. What would you say are the top 3 benefits of your sessions?
Physical –
- Moves from a chest breath to an abdominal breath, reducing heart rate
- Aids muscle growth and removes muscle tension to help prevent injury
- Increases energy levels
- Helps you access more of your lung capacity to achieve optimum health
Mental –
- Quiets the mind to give you clarity
- Removes negative, unprocessed energy to help with stress and anxiety
- Improves sleep
Spiritual –
- Enriches your life
- Gives you the confidence to live the life you want
- Helps you experience a sense of enlightenment and spirituality
6. Who would benefit most from a session with you?
We all need to take more responsibility for our own health. Anyone who attends will at the very least leave with a greater understanding of how their breathing can affect their health and, in turn, their life. So, I’d say everyone would benefit, but then I am biased as I think this technique is a real super power!
7. What are your personal favourite treatments or activities to keep your body healthy and happy?
I really enjoy practicing yoga, and am also a big fan of skiing and cycling, which all help me stay fit, flexible and active.
8. Alongside the physical, nutrition can play a huge role in wellness – what’s your favourite food?
I’ve been plant-based for over 4 years now, so I love eating anything with beans and pulses – especially Asian food!
9. If you could practice anything else, or start again in your career, what would you choose?
I would have to choose something ski-related, so I could live up in the mountains.
10. Do you have any exciting wellness projects you would like to share with our readers?
I’m just about to start to work with the Royal Surrey Hospital’s mental health team to offer sessions to their team of over 5,000 members of staff and also have an opportunity to work on the physical benefits of breathwork within a sporting environment. Both are very exciting projects! Of course the launch of Careys Manor’s new Corporate Wellness Packages is an exciting new venture, and I hope to lead sessions with many teams as a result.
Are you looking for a corporate away day venue in the New Forest? Join us at Careys Manor for your next corporate event, and surround yourself with nature, fresh air and quiet – the most productive space to work, and a relaxing place to reset. Discover our new Corporate Wellness Packages today, which can include events mentioned in today’s blog from our partner Alan Ball.
For more information on Alan Ball and his work see here.
