We’re constantly breathing, but most of the time, we’re not aware of it. In moments of stress, our breath becomes shallow. Our heart rate quickens. Shoulders tense. The nervous system takes its cue and prepares for fight or flight.
But what happens when we pause? When we notice the breath and start to work with it?
This is where the practice of yoga and breathwork begins. Not with perfection or performance, but with presence.
“Sometimes life runs ahead of you. You’re chasing the next thing and you forget to check in. You forget that you need space to feel, to regulate, to just be. We’re always breathing, but breathwork asks you to notice, to pause and refill, not just with air, but with presence. It’s a moment to meet yourself again.” – Chloe, from Ebb & Chlo Wellness.
Conscious breathing and movement reset the nervous system, improve mental and physical wellbeing.
What is breathwork?
Breathwork refers to the deliberate control and awareness of your breath to improve mental, emotional, and physical health. This can include techniques like:
- Diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing)
- Box breathing (inhale-hold-exhale-hold)
- Alternate nostril breathing
- Resonance breathing (5–6 breaths per minute)
Each of these activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for your body’s rest and recovery state. It has been found that paced breathing improved heart rate variability (HRV), reduced cortisol and enhanced cognitive function.
What happens in the body?
Your breath influences your physiology more than most people realise. When you slow your breathing and deepen your inhale, you’re not just calming your mind, you’re triggering a biological shift:
- Heart rate decreases
- Blood pressure lowers
- Muscle tension eases
- Stress hormone production decreases
This is why breathwork is used in clinical settings to treat anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and chronic pain.
“When I slow down and breathe with awareness, it’s like the noise softens and I can hear myself again. That always feels kind of magic to me.” – Chloe.
Yoga and breath: A holistic reset
Yoga is a physical practice, but at its core, it’s about breath. Every movement is linked to an inhale or exhale. This pairing enhances both the physical and mental benefits of the practice.
The mental & physical benefits
1. Regulates the nervous system
Breath-led yoga helps recalibrate your body’s stress response. In a world of constant stimulation, this is key.
Studies show that even short yoga sessions increase GABA levels in the brain, an important neurotransmitter that promotes calm and reduces anxiety.
Ground your practice with our cork yoga block, ideal for supported seated breathwork or restorative postures.
2. Improves focus and cognitive function
Breathing deeply increases oxygen flow to the brain and improves executive function, helping with clarity, memory, and decision-making. Movement sequences that focus on breath awareness also increase mindfulness, which is linked to better emotional regulation.
People who practice yoga regularly have been shown to have higher grey matter density in regions of the brain associated with attention, introspection, and sensory processing.
“When I start my day with yoga, I feel prepared for anything. It carries me through whatever comes up and reminds me that I’m in charge of how I move through the day.” – Chloe.
3. Builds strength and mobility
Physically, yoga is a full-body strength and mobility practice. Slow, controlled movement helps develop:
- Core strength
- Joint stability
- Balance and coordination
- Functional range of motion
This makes it not just great for flexibility, but for injury prevention and longevity.
4. Reduces inflammation
Chronic stress is a major driver of inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term health conditions. Yoga and breathwork help regulate the immune system and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body.
5. Enhances sleep quality
Breathwork before bed can reduce sleep latency (how long it takes to fall asleep) and improve overall sleep quality. Yoga nidra (a guided practice of yogic sleep) has been shown to increase melatonin and decrease beta brainwave activity.
Try a calming posture like legs-up-the-wall using our yoga mat and cork block to support your body and let go of the day.
6. Boosts mood and self-awareness
One of the lesser-discussed but most powerful effects of yoga and breathwork is the deepened connection to self. When you slow down, you notice how you feel. You become more aware of physical sensations, emotional patterns and mental chatter.
This body awareness is linked to improved self-regulation, compassion and emotional balance, all of which support mental wellbeing.
“It’s not about the pose. It’s about checking in with how I feel, meeting myself with kindness and acceptance and allowing space for change, for stillness, for whatever’s there. It’s about holding that space with love and letting that be enough.” – Chloe.
Creating a daily ritual
You don’t need to practice for an hour to feel the benefits. Just a few minutes of conscious movement and breath can create a shift.
Try this:
- Begin your day with 3 rounds of box breathing
- Flow through 3–5 sun salutations
- Rest in child’s pose or legs up the wall
- End with 5 deep belly breaths
It’s not about doing it all. It’s about finding a rhythm that works for you.
Create a ritual space with essential tools, your mat, a block and perhaps a warm drink nearby. Our yoga range is designed to support these simple, grounding practices.
Final thought
Yoga and breathwork are about connection, to yourself, your breath and your body. Whether you’re aiming for strength, softness, or stillness, having the right equipment can support your journey. At amp, we design tools that feel good to use, functional, elegant and minimal. Explore our weighted wrist bands, cork yoga blocks and soft-grip yoga mats, all created to bring balance, ease and intention to every breath and every pose.
We’ve teamed up with Chloe from Ebb & Chlo to create a 7-day yoga and breathwork series designed to help you build a daily rhythm. Just seven minutes a day—anytime, anywhere, to move, breathe, and reset. You’ll receive a short video and reflective journal prompt each day, delivered straight to your inbox. It’s a gentle way to create lasting routines that support your body and mind.
Sign up now to begin your free 7-minute reset on 18th September.