Ed Harrold "Life With Breath" Podcast Series

In this episode of “Life with Breath Expert Series,” I’m sitting down with Danish breath expert Lotte Paarup, founder of 3D Breathing. Lotte shares her holistic approach to breathwork, emphasizing natural, three-dimensional breathing and the vital role of the diaphragm. She introduces her seven pillars of 3D Breathing, discusses the connection between breath, movement, and the nervous system, and offers practical tips for improving breath awareness. Our conversation highlights the importance of personalized breathwork and explores the emerging science of fascia, offering listeners accessible strategies for enhancing health, vitality, and well-being through conscious breathing. Episode Highlights: The Seven Pillars of 3D Breathing: A Deep Dive Lotte’s 3D Breathing method is structured around seven foundational pillars. Each pillar addresses a unique aspect of breathwork, creating a holistic framework for transformation. Consciousness Around Breath Key Insight:Awareness is the first step. Most people are unaware of their habitual breathing patterns, which are often shallow, restricted, or disconnected from movement. Actionable Advice: * Spend a few minutes each day simply observing your breath. * Notice the length, depth, and quality of your inhales and exhales. * Avoid judgment—there is no “wrong” way to breathe at this stage. Turning on the Diaphragm Key Insight:The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration, yet many people have a “sleeping” or restricted diaphragm due to stress, poor posture, or lack of movement. Actionable Advice: * Place your hands on your lower ribs and feel for movement as you inhale. * Use props like soft balls or rolled towels under your back to encourage diaphragm activation. * Practice gentle, deep belly breathing to wake up the diaphragm. Facial Tissue Reset Key Insight:Tension in the facial muscles and fascia can restrict airflow and limit breath control. Actionable Advice: * Gently massage your jaw, cheeks, and forehead before breathwork. * Use imagery (e.g., “softening the face like melting butter”) to release tension. * Practice nasal breathing to engage facial structures and improve airflow. Freeing Up the Airways Key Insight:Open, unobstructed airways are essential for smooth, efficient breathing. Actionable Advice: * Practice nasal exhalation, which naturally filters and humidifies the air. * Experiment with different head and neck positions to find what opens your airways. * Use gentle humming or throat vibration to stimulate airway openness and vagal tone. 3D Integration Key Insight:True breathwork involves the whole body, not just the lungs. The upper and lower body, rib cage, and diaphragm must move in harmony. Actionable Advice: * Try breathing exercises in various positions (lying down, sitting, standing). * Notice how your breath changes with different postures and movements. * Use hands-on techniques or props to guide your body into more expansive breathing. Core Integration Key Insight:The diaphragm is part of the core, working alongside the abs, pelvic floor, and back muscles to support posture and stability. Actionable Advice: * Engage your core gently during breathwork, especially on the exhale. * Visualize the diaphragm as a “floor” supporting your organs and spine. * Practice breathwork during core exercises (e.g., planks, bridges) to enhance integration. Movement Integration Key Insight:Breath should flow naturally with all movements, not just during exercise or meditation. Actionable Advice: * Bring conscious breathing into daily activities like walking, bending, or tying your shoes. * Notice when you hold your breath during stress or concentration, and gently release it. * Use breath as a cue to reset posture and movement throughout the day. The Diaphragm: The Unsung Hero of Breath and Core Stability Lotte describes the diaphragm as more than just a muscle—it’s a motor and a floor inside the body. In Danish, the word for diaphragm translates to “floor,” highlighting its role in separating and supporting the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Lotte’s Insights: * The diaphragm’s movement creates space for the heart and lungs, supporting circulation and body rhythm. * A stiff rib cage or restricted diaphragm leads to shallow, survival-mode breathing, which can tax the heart and reduce energy. * Diaphragm function is directly linked to core stability, posture, and even emotional regulation. Practical Tip:Spend time each day lying on your back with knees bent, hands on your lower ribs, and focus on feeling the diaphragm move down and out as you inhale. Breath and the Nervous System: Hacking Stress and Building Resilience One of the most powerful aspects of breathwork is its ability to regulate the nervous system. The conversation highlights: * The Vagus Nerve: The main nerve of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system, which thrives on movement and freedom in the thorax, spine, and rib cage. * Nasal Exhalation and Throat Vibration: These amplify vagal tone, supporting self-regulation and calm. * Personalized Breath Holds: Holding the breath after the exhale (rather than after the inhale) promotes relaxation and parasympathetic activation. Actionable Advice: * Practice slow, nasal exhalations with a gentle “humming” sound to stimulate the vagus nerve. * Use breath holds after the exhale to deepen relaxation, but always stay within your comfort zone. Fascia, Breath, and Emotional Release Fascia—the connective tissue that envelops muscles and organs—plays a crucial role in breathwork. Latte and Ed discuss: * Fascia’s Elasticity and Memory: Fascia is more aware and communicative than muscle tissue, and restrictions can limit breath and movement. * Emotional Release: Releasing fascial tension can free stored emotions and improve biomechanics. * Facial Fascia: Restrictions here can hinder nose breathing and breath control. Practical Tip:Incorporate gentle self-massage, stretching, or rolling (e.g., with a soft ball) into your breathwork routine to release fascial tension. To learn more about Lotte, click HERE So see us both on The Breath Source app, click HERE Get full access to Ed Harrold Breath AS Medicine at edharrold.substack.com/subscribe