I entered the Transformational Breathing workshop at Gather with a positive frame of mind but not necessarily expecting fireworks. After all, how much could I really take from a two hour workshop which focused on simple breathing? It’s a skill I felt I had got the hang of after twenty-seven years with relative competency. Our facilitators were Alan Dolan and Ann-Marie Birch, both friendly and welcoming, putting the group at ease very quickly. After a comprehensive introduction to the practice in which he prepared us for our experiences, Alan taught us the simple breathing pattern (two breaths in, one out, inflating the stomach – to the rhythm of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, bizarrely) we would be holding for the next hour. We lay back,
and off we went.

Much of our stress is held, we were informed, in our jaws, preventing us from opening our mouths as wide as is ideal for the process. Given my tendency to jabber, I did not think this would be an issue for me, but soon enough Ann-Marie was suggesting I pop a mouthpiece (cannily created from plastic bottle tops) in to keep the airflow going smoothly. I did so and continued my in-in-out breathing.

Initially I felt very little bar a slight discomfort at the unusual breathing pattern. Soon, though, my extremities were buzzing and tingling in a manner I have come to associate with Reiki and other energy practices. This in itself was an interesting reaction but more was to come. A tenseness grew in my abdomen and my hands, shaking with energy now, began to clasp inwards, becoming rock-solid. Needless to say I was a little anxious by this time but stuck with the breathing to see where things would go next. It was at around that point that my recollection becomes blurred, as I seemed to both harden outside and go fuzzy and soft inside, my head swaying and my shoulders bunching. Both Alan and Anne Marie stopped by to gently murmur affirmations in my ears and touch acupressure points which seemed to release a lot of what was happening to me. Eventually Alan helped roll me over on to my side and suggested I return to a normal breathing pattern. Reassured, I did so and gradually began to calm, the shaking soon subsiding and my hands slowly relaxing. Come the end of the hour I had returned to normal but felt floaty and tired.
Alan explained afterwards that the process acts as a detox, using all of the respiratory system to flood the body with oxygen. The other attendees each reported strong experiences, although most seemed far more pleasant than my own. With hindsight, the process reminds me of a heavy muscle massage – perhaps a bit uncomfortable at the time but hugely beneficial afterwards. So struck was I by the experience that I intend to keep practising the breathing technique and see just how positive a difference it can make to me, body, mind and soul, over an extended period
of time. One attendee’s revelation that this style of breathing had drastically improved her M.E. after she had suffered with it for fifteen years acted as further evidence of the beneficial effects on offer.

All in all, an extremely worthwhile experience. Alan conducts Transformational Breathing weeks in Lanzarote (accommodation, 6 breathing sessions,
easy airport transfers and an unspoiled location), while Anne-Marie is based in Edinburgh for those looking for something a little closer to home. The two hour workshop on its own provides all the start you need, however, to give your life a breath of fresh air.

Alan McDonald took part in a Transformation Breathing workshop at Gather in Glasgow under the supervision of Alan Dolan and Ann-Marie Birch.
For more information visit www.breath-works.com