“Breathing Through the Holidays” – Who’s That Phat Girl Podcast

Hey there, lovely Self-Care souls! 🌟

I invite you to join me on this heartfelt exploration into the realms of mindful eating and breathwork – two practices that have truly transformed my well-being. The holiday season often brings joy and festivities, but it can also come with its fair share of stress and pressure. In a recent episode of The Who’s Dat Phat Girl Podcast, I join the host Brooke Hoover to discuss the transformative power of breathwork in navigating the holiday chaos and beyond. Listen to the entire Episode #26, Season 2 on Who’s Dat Phat Girl? The Podcast titled “Breath Work for the Holidaze with Rita” here.

The following information are just a few of the golden nuggets from my insightful conversation where I summarize the key insights shared during the podcast and practical techniques in functional breathing specially to help with holiday madness ! Read on for my secret sauce for a happy life.

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Understanding Functional Breathing:

The importance of functional breathing is highlighted in how our bodies can naturally heal when we remove interferences like toxins, both in our environment and relationships. I introduce a simple breath assessment, allowing listeners to gauge their breathing habits. A 2017 study correlating breath tolerance and optimal breathing habits, offers insights into how most people may not be breathing as effectively as they could be. The prevalent mistakes in breathing habits, such as mouth breathing, chest breathing, and fast, noisy breathing must be identified and addressed. It is a myth that deep breaths are always beneficial, remember that deep diaphragmatic breathing is the key. Breath has strong connections to stress, snoring, and even weight management so never underestimate the impact of proper breathing on our overall health. Breathing isn’t just inhaling and exhaling; it’s a dance with our belly! Picture this: as you breathe in, stick that belly out like you mean it. And when you exhale, pull that belly button in, as if you’re bidding farewell to some stubborn snot. I want you to breathe like you’re on a mission – with a focus on exhale. Imagine that you are building a bonfire in your belly!

I invite you to join the monthly online New Moon Breathwork Experience. Purchase your online tickets here.

LSD Breathing

On the podcast I also talk about the concept of Light, Slow, and Deep (LSD) breathing. Contrary to popular belief, breathing lightly is the key to optimal well-being. Slow, deep breaths that engage the diaphragm, promoting detoxification and better oxygenation. Nasal breathing that enables the production of nitric oxide which is a powerful molecule with numerous health benefits is mandatory. Like I always say the nose is for breathing and mouth is for kissing! I also share and demonstratethese practical breathing techniques for handling holiday stress.

  • The “Psychological Sigh” technique is a quick way to signal the parasympathetic nervous system for relaxation.
  • Box Breathing
  • Alternate Nostril Breathing &
  • The Breath of Fire, are all helpful for concentration, energy, and digestion support.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for video demonstrations on how to do these breathwork practices.

Gratitude, Mindful Eating & Memories:

Before every meal, taking just a couple of minutes to thank the universe for the deliciousness in front of you can work wonders. It’s not a full-blown prayer – just a heartfelt acknowledgment. And did you know that gratitude is like a high-vibe superhero? It calms your nerves, fires up digestion, and sets the stage for enzymes to work their magic. In my every communication I start with a gratitude practice and the importance of gratitude in breathwork and mindful eating is unmatched.

Switching gears to some soul-warming memories – I fondly remember Sunday feasts with my traditional Italian family. The aroma of sauce or meat waking me up at 1:50 PM is etched in my heart. Shoutout to my mom for those unforgettable spreads that turned every Sunday into a mini Christmas! These traditional Italian Sunday feasts were a way of connecting the emotional aspect of food with well-being. Truffle fries are my favourite guilty pleasure – of course the oven-baked, non-GMO version. My healthy obsession is Arugula. The more bitter, the better! It’s like a digestive superhero specially in salad form.

I invite you to listen to the insightful episode on the Self-Care Goddess Podcast “Defeat Your Cravings: Practical Tips for Managing Emotional Eating”

My Life Mantras – Because Everything Matters

On the podcast I share my real-life mantras.

  • “Do the work.” No magic pill – just good ol’ effort. Consistency  and hard work are paramount.
  • Everything matters – from your morning walks to the company you keep. Value the significance of every small action.
  • Achieve balance through the 80/20 rule. We’re human, after all. So, those truffle fries 20% of the time? Totally cool, as long as you’re rocking the healthy vibe 80% of the time.
  • Create passion for breathwork by understanding its transformative impact. Picture a room full of people breathing like one big, harmonious orchestra. It’s a symphony of release, letting go of baggage with every exhale. And the sharing circle afterward? Pure magic.

I am a certified Breathwork Facilitator. Connect With Me to know more on the amazing power of breathwork and learn some breathwork techniques than can help you better manage yourself.

Take Home Message:

I hope to inspire you with this brief summary of my journey with mindful eating and breathwork. These practices aren’t about perfection; they’re about connection – with yourself, your food, and the amazing energy within and around you. Navigating the holidays and maintaining overall well-being can be achieved through intentional and mindful breathwork. I invite you to try out my practical techniques for holistic wellbeing. As we breathe through the holidays, let us also breathe in the transformative power of self-discovery and soulful living. Ciao for now!