Living through a spectrum of emotions has been challenging. Feelings of pessimism, aimlessness, thoughtlessness, mindlessness, and recklessness were prevalent. On the contrary, feelings of optimism, relentlessness, confidence, discipline, and fearlessness also prevailed.
Reflecting back on my early development, it becomes clear that many decisions & choices sprouted from ego, deeply rooted in various fears—fear of inadequacy, not meeting expectations, lacking attention, obscurity, misunderstanding, external judgments, rejection, disappointment, criticism, punishment, failure, and ostracization.
Sharing is found by actively engaging in the Breath Practice itself. The following words offer just a tiny glimpse into the fragmented pathway that led to my curiosity and the subsequent experimentation & exploration as to why I MUST breathe through my nose, how to do that more efficiently and how conscious and unconscious breathing regulate our health, mood, sleep, energy, vitality, and longevity.
While some of you may resonate with my journey, others might not; my life, perhaps akin to yours, has resembled an unplanned roller coaster ride. Experiencing a myriad of ailments, injuries, circumstances, and life situations to navigate through has been a significant part of my journey. There were times when the path was rough, painful, and arduous, while in contrast, certain moments were smooth, fun, and carefree. Moments of insight and transformation have been abundant, and yet there exist times the brain can’t recall, but the body remembers.
Confrontation was a fear of mine, though some from my younger years might dispute that; honestly, it was all a bluff. I dreaded humiliation, being wrong, making mistakes, and the loss of control. The list of fears was extensive. As a result of this fearful approach to life, I briefly became a “YES person” in my younger adult years, often seeking to please others. Blind belief and ignorant trust led me down a path where I became a programmed follower and borrower. I felt enslaved, not only to others but also to a corrupt system intent on depleting every last resource I had.
Stepping back twenty or so years, a simple yet profound message crossed my path: ‘Life happens FOR YOU, NOT to you!’. It rang loud and clear, and its subjective meaning & subsequent realization felt like a crisp slap and a timely wake-up call, prompting me to progressively do the following:
My focus shifted from the opinions of others, whether the dialogue was about me or the world around me. I began to question or intentionally overlook much of what the mainstream narrative, alleged experts, or the majority touted, conspired, or capitalized on.
For 20 years, I’ve practiced various disciplines daily, including an in-depth breath practice. I’ve researched many topics, familiarized myself with techniques, and sought knowledge in diverse areas. From ancient wisdom to new science-based techniques, my journey has been thorough.
I’ve ventured into mainstream and niche therapies. Through dedicated practice and reflection, I’ve crafted my own strategies for better living, with a special emphasis on the transformative power of breath practice. My interests span a vast spectrum: from Personal Growth, Health, Self-Care, and Anatomy to Movement. I’m profoundly drawn to Metaphysics, Physical & Mental Strength, Exercise, and Coaching. Alongside these, I’ve dedicated time to Rehabilitation, Recovery, Spirituality, and Language. The realms of Trauma, Addictions, and Ancient History have continually intrigued me. My passion lies in Natural Therapies, Neuroplasticity, Psychology, and the art of Self-healing through proper breath practice. The vastness of my curiosity extends to Relationships, Philosophy, Eastern Teachings, Epigenetics, Nutrition, Hydration, Immunity, Detoxification, Meditation, and beyond.
With each step and every inhale and exhale of my breath practice, I earned several qualifications and amassed a wealth of practical experience. This journey led me towards:
Currently, I am immersed in practicing, unlearning, and gaining deeper insights into the fields I mentioned. My journey has taken me into the depths of Conscious Rhythmic Nose Breathing. After much practice and adaptation, I’ve come to a realization. Without a doubt, it stands out as the most essential conscious action. We can integrate it habitually to influence our health, performance, mood, and energy. It also shapes our outlook on life. Breathing is instinctive, ensuring our survival. However, the method of Slow, Deep, Rhythmic Nose Breathing goes beyond the unconscious. It’s a habit we can consciously adopt. By doing so, we can heal, restore, and elevate our health.
Allow me to share the origin of how I unknowingly altered my respiration pattern and embarked on my breath practice journey. Interestingly, over the ensuing years, I unconsciously adopted a breathing habit that, I believe, diminished my vitality and jeopardized my health. My deep dive into this realization began with a pivotal moment.
Specifically, it was my first broken nose, a consequence of a head collision at age sixteen. Consequently, this became the first instance I vividly remember pondering over, noticing, and being cognizant of my breathing. This awareness grew as I grappled with the new restrictions and limitations stemming from the injury.
Shortly after, I came to understand how this temporary nasal blockage disrupted my daily routines, especially during movement, post-exercise recovery, relaxation, and mealtimes. The importance of a consistent breath practice became clear during this taxing period.
This physical setback inadvertently shaped my breathing patterns, steering them away from the body’s natural rhythm. In turn, my breathing became more rapid, surface-level, and primarily mouth-centric. The necessity for a proper breath practice was becoming more evident. Subsequently, I began to experience sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea and extended bouts of snoring.
Furthermore, these detrimental breathing habits intensified following my second broken nose at eighteen and were compounded by a third injury at nineteen. As time wore on, these habits, along with the absence of a structured breath practice, were exacerbated by disrupted sleep cycles, dietary missteps, and certain lifestyle choices, solidifying the unconscious mouth-breathing pattern.
Reminiscing back to around the age of 5, it’s probable that my initial introduction to and subsequent habit of unconscious mouth breathing began as a young boy.
For the most part, growing up was safe, fun, and generally positive. I grew up in a small, quiet rural community that was genuinely friendly and supportive. Life at home was also largely good, with regular meals, a warm bed, sports, toys, and pets. However, I did experience some very uncomfortable moments.
I didn’t recognize them for what they were at the time, but I now understand that such experiences are labelled as stress, or emotional trauma. At times, I was either exposed to, living in, or subjected to sporadic aggressive verbal tirades and emotional abuse. It was somewhat degrading, humiliating, and nearly impossible to prepare for or defend against.
The relationship—or dictatorship—I had with my father was somewhat toxic. There were times I felt unsafe, unsure, alienated, judged, criticized, shamed, worthless, intimidated, humiliated, dominated, controlled, and vulnerable. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, it was draining to be in his presence.
Feeling like I was constantly treading on eggshells is a clear memory. Consequently, I became highly vigilant, always tuned into my environment, surroundings, and the people within them. This heightened awareness made me protective, insecure, anxious, and nervous.
To cope with this tension, I subconsciously began breathing through my mouth—shallow, fast, and frequent. Notably, mouth breathing is our body’s automated response to a stressed fight or flight situation. Moreover, I unknowingly masked the discomfort and managed stress in other ways. For instance, when hiding wasn’t an option, I found myself either biting my fingernails, grinding my teeth, or stuffing my mouth full of food—all indicative reactions to my emotional state and inherent stress responses.
Life’s conditions and situations naturally shifted over time, reinforcing the idea that nothing is permanent. However, the continuous stress from ages 5 to 18 didn’t simply evaporate. Similarly, the subsequent unconscious reactions to that stress became deeply ingrained habits. These habits lingered, affecting my health, performance, and relationships profoundly. One primary automated reaction I wish to underscore is the detrimental habit of mouth breathing.
I do NOT possess a doctorate, nor are there special letters preceding my name. I am neither a research scientist nor a teacher or professor. Furthermore, I do NOT claim to be an expert.
Yet, I stand as someone with the courage to take risks. Having recovered from multiple broken bones and major surgeries, navigated past addictions and trauma, and experienced personal transformations, realizations, and altered states of being, I bring a unique perspective.
My approach is as follows:
I experiment, explore, and practice intentionally. By listening to my body and allowing it time to adapt, I reflect and make necessary adjustments. I prioritize relaxation and the art of letting go. Then, I return to the process. With consistent application of this adaptive and progressive method, and a motivation to optimize my health and spiritual growth, my curiosity flourished. This journey has gifted me with invaluable insights to share.
Recent global events and personal circumstances provided an opportunity for introspection. I took a deep dive into my core values, questioning who I was, what I stood for, and where I was heading. I pondered how my skills, knowledge, and experiences could benefit others and how I could constructively contribute to humanity.
This Breath Practice is the culmination of my personal experiences, observations, insights, and learnings on my journey to ascend. I offer it as a gift to you and to others. While I share more about my journey in the course content and workshops, remember, the essence of this sharing lies in embodying the practice itself, not just in my words. I’m deeply grateful for your time spent reading about my journey through the infinite now.
I wish you an eye-opening journey! May it enlighten your 3rd eye!
In Lak’ech!……….. Adam Baulch
