Today we’re excited to introduce you to Jen Broyles. Jen is a breathwork instructor, essential oils expert and has taught us so much about holistic health. She is also a content partner. Content partners help Voyage in so many ways from spreading the word about the work that we do, sponsoring our mission and collaborating with us on content like this. Check out our conversation with Jen below.
Jen, thank you so much for joining us again and sharing your knowledge, insight and experiences with us. For our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations, would you please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Jen Broyles and I’m a SOMA breathwork instructor, holistic health coach and essential oils specialist. I help individuals restore and optimize their health and boost their vitality for life by calming the nervous system, reducing anxiety, and awakening their inner healer.
Tell us about you, why you became a holistic health coach, and ultimately how you discovered breathwork?
I ventured into the world of natural health while I was searching for answers to some health challenges I was facing at the time. My previous career was in pharmaceutical sales and I believed that when you get sick you take a prescription and get better. But that didn’t work for me. I found myself seeing a number of different specialists, undergoing a ton of tests, and taking a bunch of prescription drugs and not feeling better. I knew there had to be a better solution. So I took matters into my own hands and began reading a lot of books and doing a lot of research. I started with nutrition and realized that everything I thought I knew about nutrition was false. I went back to school to study integrative nutrition and my journey then unfolded into plant medicines like essential oils and healing practices like breathwork. While cleaning up my diet and removing inflammatory foods was incredibly impactful, it’s the use of essential oils and breathwork that has been truly transformative.
What is SOMA breathwork and why is it important to incorporate into a daily health practice?
SOMA Breathwork involves consciously breathing in a certain pattern that influences the mind and body in certain ways. Most people don’t think about their breath. We just assume that if we’re breathing, we’re good. But it’s not that simple. We weren’t given a manual on how to breathe and most of us breathe in a way that perpetuates the stress response and leads to imbalances in the mind and body. SOMA Breath takes fundamental Pranayama techniques put into a sequence that combines rhythmic breathing to beat-driven music, for therapeutic function and an incredible experience unlike anything else. SOMA Breath techniques are designed to be practiced regularly and they lead to improvements in every area of your life. It is the quickest and easiest way that I’ve experienced to enter a deep state of meditation and begin to reset the body and mind, boost energy, reduce stress, and feel amazing.
What are the health benefits of SOMA breathwork? How can it support physical, mental, and emotional health?
My first experience with SOMA Breath was powerful, and everyone I teach feels the incredible effects of the breathwork from the very first session. After that, people want more. And it’s with consistent, regular practice, that massive benefits can be seen. SOMA Breath ignites a deep state of meditation allowing you to activate your inner pharmacy for healing, release negative emotions, boost brain function, and reprogram your subconscious mind. Practicing SOMA Breath has the power to:
- Awaken dormant functions of the brain.
- Enhance creativity and problem-solving.
- Create heightened states of consciousness and inspiration.
- Improve brain function and mind power.
- Cleanse and purify the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
- Stimulate self-healing.
- Reduce depression/anxiety.
- Clear negative imprints and traumas from early life (0-7 years).
- Reimprint your mind with more empowering beliefs and habits.
- Set intentions and create the motivation and energy to complete important goals.
- Self-realization: discover your true self and your deepest inner calling.
What are the benefits of rhythmic breathing and breath retention?
The SOMA Breath technique consists of rhythmic breathing and periodic breath holds. Rhythmic breathing through the nose is how we should be breathing on a regular basis, but most of us are not. Slow diaphragmatic rhythmic breathing has been shown to reduce stress not only over the long-term, but almost instantly. It also reduces oxidative stress, increases heart rate variability, improves symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), facilitates Lymphatic drainage, has been linked to healing IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). As you slow your breathing and breathe in a rhythmic pattern, you go into heart coherence. Your breath is no longer erratic. Erratic breathing leads to erratic thoughts and anxiety. When you slow your breath and breathe in a coherent rhythm, you shut off stress, calm the mind, and allow your body to heal.
Breath Retention also referred to as Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) is used to treat a range of disorders including high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson’s, emotional disorders, and more. Your body adapts to having less oxygen and starts to become more efficient in producing energy. Overtime, this practice helps you become more resilient to stressful situations. This is also a time when you go into a deep meditative state and can access your subconscious mind. You can begin reprogramming imprints that are holding you back from being at your best, and you begin to awaken to your full potential.
Are there any other tools you use along with breathwork in your holistic approach?
I use powerful music, affirmations, and visualization techniques in the breathwork practice to enhance the experience. I also incorporate guided meditations, movement, and essential oils. This allows for a multisensory, magical experience.
Anything else you would like to share? Where can people connect with you?
The best way to connect with me is through my website at www.jenbroyles.com. I offer private and group breathwork sessions both online and in person. I also have an online membership called the Sacred Breath Community which gives you access to monthly online breathwork classes, audio sessions, breathing techniques, and community. You can learn more about the community here:
https://www.jenbroyles.com/sacred-breath/
If you’d like to see how your breath measures up, take my free online Breath Quiz to see if you’re breathing correctly: https://www.jenbroyles.com/breath-quiz
Find me on social media at the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenbroyleshealthcoach/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abundanthealthessentials/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JenBroyles.FanPage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JenBroyles
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbroyleshealthcoach/