Breathing as a Tool for Self-Regulation and Self-Reflection

The approach of this book is a psychophysical one. This means an approach based on the mutual interaction between mind and body. In the book, a holistic theoretical description of breathing is complemented by the authors' extensive experience of working with people with breathing symptoms.The psychophysical breathing therapy described in the book involves numerous interwoven aspects. It is based on knowledge of how breathing is regulated and of the significance of balanced breathing for physical and mental wellbeing. This is linked with an understanding of the significance of early interaction and neurobiology for learning breathing patterns and for the development of the stress regulation system. The authors describe how they apply breathing therapy to help various groups of patients. The book also includes descriptions of breathing exercises based on theory and experience.The book is intended for basic and further training of professionals in health care and psychotherapy, in particular. Its main target group is people helping patients with functional breathing problems, social anxiety or stress symptoms. Practitioners treating patients with respiratory or other somatic diseases, as well as midwives and doctors helping women to give birth, may also learn new ways of thinking and acting from the book. Nearly everyone working in health care encounters patients filled with anxiety who need to undergo painful procedures. The book provides new aspects for calming down these patients. It can help physicians with the diagnosis of diseases, and other health care professionals will also benefit from psychophysiological knowledge related to imbalanced breathing. The book is suitable for people involved in interpersonal work, as well as for singing teachers and physical education instructors. In addition to these groups, the book may provide anyone interested in breathing or interaction with tools to help themselves.