Earlier this month, I attended the Global Inspiration Conference (GIC) in the Netherlands, a week-long event with breathwork practitioners from around the world. The experience was deeply transformative, filled with learning, connections, and healing. I presented The Embodied Breath, introduced next year's GIC in Australia, and led a morning meditation that deeply moved many participants.
This conference deepened my appreciation for the power of breathwork, which can lead to profound personal transformation. It reminded me of the importance of embracing change and growth through conscious breathwork.
So much gratitude to everyone who participated or contributed to the Breathwork for Palestine fundraiser. I wasn't entirely sure whether many people would join or contribute, but at the 11th hour, there was a surge of energy, resulting in us collectively raising $1329 (!!!) for Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders and its medical activities in Palestine.
In response to the recent surge in gender-based violence against women in Australia, a powerful movement has arisen, calling for an end to this pervasive culture of violence. Triggered by a series of unsettling murders, particularly by intimate partners, and highlighted by the deliberate targeting of women at Bondi Junction in Sydney, the urgency of the situation is clear. Despite previous declines, there has been a disturbing 30 percent increase in intimate partner killings of women over the past year, with Indigenous women bearing the brunt of these violent acts. The alarming statistics have prompted a record-breaking number of distress calls to Lifeline Australia, reflecting a collective outcry for change.
Amidst the darkness, there is hope—an invitation for men to confront the pain driving such behaviour. Recognising the unique struggles men face, this call to action urges individuals to seek support and embark on a journey of healing. By fostering vulnerability and introspection, men can contribute to a societal transformation toward a healthier, more empathetic future. It's time for dialogue, introspection, and above all, empathy.
The article recounts a personal struggle with masculinity in a rural 1990s setting, where societal norms enforced narrow definitions of manhood. I reflect on internalised beliefs and the resulting shame, yet find solace in the embrace of loving figures. This article advocates for reframing "toxic masculinity" as "dysfunctional masculinity," recognising broader societal dysfunction. Overcoming these challenges involves ongoing growth, vulnerability, and confronting inherited wounds. I share my journey towards healing and invite others to join in transformative spaces, exemplified by men's group breathwork sessions. It's a call for men to reclaim their identities and embrace a more holistic masculinity, free from soundings the past.
Anger at its most basic form is an energy. An emotional force that is fiery and intense, often likened to a volcanic eruption, compelling us towards action. For this reason, it is crucial to recognise that anger is not inherently wrong, nor something that is shamed or shunned. However, it is imperative that we comprehend anger thoroughly to express this emotion in a safe and effective manner.
How we breathe at work has real mental and physical implications for our health and productivity. Yet, our professional and personal engagement with modern technology adversely impacts how we breathe.
