This clinical group series offers an engaging introduction to the profound impact of breath on your overall health. Through interactive sessions, you'll discover practical skills to harness your breath for calming the mind, revitalizing the body, and fostering a deeper connection with your health. The curriculum progressively builds each week, equipping you with a tailored set of breathing techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily life, regardless of your prior experience.
This experiential learning environment incorporates focused breathing exercises, guided relaxation, mindful movement, and weekly check-ins to support your home practice. By actively participating, you'll develop personalized techniques to address specific needs such as anxiety, sleep issues, and nervous system regulation. The main goal is to empower you with a sustainable breathing practice that extends beyond the group sessions, establishing a new pattern of care for both your body and mind.
Key Features:
- Experiential Focus: Emphasizes practical application through focused breathing, guided exercises, mindful movement, and relaxation techniques.
- Personalized Techniques: Learn individual techniques tailored to address your specific needs, such as anxiety and sleep.
- Focus on Mind-Body Connection: Aims to establish a new pattern of care for both physical and mental well-being.
- Shared Learning and Support: Group participants benefit from shared experiences, diverse perspectives, and mutual encouragement, fostering a supportive environment for learning and integrating breathing practices into their lives.
Experiential Exercises:
- Focused Breathing: Engaging in specific techniques that direct attention to the breath, exploring its rhythm, depth, and quality.
- Guided Exercises: Following verbal instructions to practice particular breathing patterns and techniques designed for specific outcomes like relaxation or energy.
- Mindful Movement: Integrating gentle physical movements with the breath to enhance body awareness and promote a sense of calm and connection.
- Relaxation Techniques: Utilizing breathing as a tool to induce a state of relaxation, reducing tension and promoting mental tranquility.
- Weekly check-ins and discussion regarding home practice: Sharing experiences, challenges, and insights from practicing breathing exercises outside of the group sessions, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
| Type | Group Medical Visits |
| Format | In-Person (sometimes Telehealth) |
| Duration | 4 weeks (75-min sessions) |
| Facilitated by | Physician, co-facilitated by registered nurse |
| Home practice (time spent outside of group) | It is recommended to spend 10-20 minutes practicing the exercises from class at least 3 times between sessions to help integrate session material. |
| Insurance Based? | Yes |
| Referral | Osher Provider - as part of integrative health plan |
FAQs
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This group works by teaching a variety of breathing techniques during interactive sessions, with built-in practice time to ensure participants can apply them effectively. Each weekly session builds upon the previous one, progressively developing a personalized breathing practice that participants can use to address specific needs like anxiety and sleep, ultimately fostering better nervous system regulation and overall well-being.
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This group is a good fit for individuals seeking practical skills to manage stress, improve sleep, or regulate their nervous system through the power of breath. By participating, you will gain personalized breathing techniques tailored to your specific needs and abilities, and by the end of the 4-week series, you will have a tailored practice to integrate into your daily life for sustained well-being.
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This group can benefit anyone who is interested in learning how to use their breath to improve their overall health and well-being, including beginners and those with prior experience in practices like yoga. It's a particularly good fit for individuals looking for natural ways to address anxiety, sleep difficulties, and nervous system dysregulation. However, it may not be a helpful group for those who experience increased anxiety when their attention is focused on their breathing.
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No, this group is not physically demanding. One of its primary goals is to promote comfort, and if any breathing practice or associated gentle movement becomes uncomfortable or strenuous, it will be modified to suit your needs. Movements are adapted for each patient based on their ability and any pain or mobility limitations. You are also welcome to move freely during the class and can participate while sitting or lying down, with yoga mats and props available to enhance your comfort.
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Yes, this group fits well with other modalities and treatments you might be receiving. In particular, it complements other Osher Center offerings like yoga, Tai Chi, and physical therapy, as the focus on breath can enhance the benefits of these practices and support overall well-being in conjunction with your existing pain management strategies or medical care.
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To get the most out of this group, consistent daily practice of the breathing techniques learned in each session is highly recommended. The weekly assignments will provide specific exercises to focus on, and these will be tailored over the four weeks to meet your individual needs and progress. Regular practice helps to reinforce the techniques, integrate them into your daily life, and establish a lasting pattern of well-being for both your body and mind.
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No, there are no prerequisites or foundational skills needed to participate in this group. The breathing practice begins with general education each week and is then developed to suit each individual in the group, so you can join regardless of your prior experience.
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Patients, to learn more about Basics of Breathing, speak with your Osher medical provider.