In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson speaks with Vanessa Dietzel, an executive team member of the International Breathwork Foundation and breathwork practitioner for over 15 years. Vanessa shares her personal journey with breathwork, starting from playing the bassoon as a teenager to finding conscious connected breathing in her late twenties. The discussion covers the science and various styles of breathwork, exploring how breath can be a bridge between our conscious and unconscious selves, and delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of breath. Vanessa also guides listeners through a short breathwork exercise and highlights the importance of presence and gentleness in breath practices. The episode emphasizes that how we breathe is deeply interconnected with how we live our lives.

00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast

02:28 Vanessa Dietzel's Journey with Breathwork

04:33 The Science and Philosophy of Breathwork

10:25 Experiencing Breathwork: A Guided Session

16:17 The Healing Power of Breath

22:52 Breathwork Practices and Their Impact

29:26 Training the Brain Through Breath Control

30:22 The Impact of Fast Breathing Practices

31:14 Rewiring Neural Pathways with Breathwork

32:47 Physical and Emotional Sensations in Breathwork

33:45 Expanding Sensory and Motor Ranges

35:10 The Role of Transformation in Breathwork

36:19 Exploring Different Types of Breathwork

36:50 The Importance of Presence in Breathwork

52:32 Navigating the World of Breathwork

55:21 Embracing Self-Love and Compassion