Host Vanessa welcomed special guest Rory Warnock, a breathwork specialist and ultramarathoner. The conversation highlighted the significance of understanding the purpose and intent of breathwork. The discussion was enlightening, providing deeper insights into the science of breathwork and its role in our overall wellbeing.
Breathwork, as Rory explained, is a conscious and deliberate practice of breathing. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses various techniques and modalities, each designed to fulfil a specific need. From upregulating the nervous system to downregulating it, breathwork can be tailored to the individual’s requirements.
Rory’s journey with breathwork began during a challenging period in his life. Struggling with depression and anxiety, he turned to breathwork as a means of improving his mental health. The results were profound. He experienced feelings of joy, strength, empowerment, calmness, and clarity. This transformative experience led him to become a breathwork coach, with a mission to make wellness more accessible to everyone.
One of the key topics discussed was the practice of mouth taping during sleep. This practice, Rory explained, has numerous benefits, including reducing snoring and improving sleep quality. He also shared his personal experience of running a half marathon with his mouth taped, emphasising the importance of nasal breathing for maintaining hydration and facilitating recovery.
The conversation also touched on the topic of chronic stress and its impact on our health. Host Vanessa, who is a group exercise instructor, shared her observations about the high rate of injury among instructors who teach often. She attributed this to the instructors’ constant mouth breathing, which keeps them in a state of chronic stress. Rory agreed, noting that nasal breathing, or functional breathing, has been directly correlated to functional movement. Improving the way we breathe can reduce the risk of injury and improve our overall health.
Rory also highlighted the importance of understanding the purpose and intent behind each exercise, movement, and breath. He compared breathwork to running, noting that there are various practices, methods, and modalities to utilise, depending on the individual’s needs and goals.
In conclusion, the conversation between Vanessa and Rory shed light on the importance of conscious breathing and its role in our overall well being. It emphasised the need for making wellness more accessible and highlighted the transformative power of breathwork. Whether it’s improving mental health, reducing the risk of injury, or enhancing athletic performance, conscious breathing has a significant role to play in our lives.
Our favourite quotable moments:
“Every individual should have the opportunity to improve their mental, physical, and emotional health.” – Rory Warnock
“Breathwork is an intimate, private practice.” – Rory Warnock
“[After a breathwork session], I felt joyful, I felt strong, I felt empowered.” – Rory Warnock
Website – Rory Warnock
Instagram – @rorywarnock_
Get 15% off any of our online courses. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input ‘PDM15’ at cart checkout.
Listen, Subscribe and leave a Review:
It would mean the world to us if you took an extra moment to subscribe and leave a review, so that other like minded individuals can enjoy the podcast, as well.
Rory Warnock is an industry-leading performance and wellness coach, ultramarathon runner, and keynote speaker, who helps individuals and businesses optimise their health and performance through breathwork and nervous system regulation. He works with clients across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Singapore, and partners with leading health and wellness brands to empower individuals and teams.
Vanessa is a seasoned Movement Therapist with a vast array of skills and experiences in the industry. Her goal is to help as many people find betterment in their lives. She is known as a hybrid trainer, attaining high levels of education, and delivering a quality presenting experience in both group fitness and personal training streams. Attaining betterment drives her knowledge and pursuit for further education for herself and everyone she encounters. Vanessa continues training clients and trainers all over the country and presenting at the International Fitness Conference. Vanessa’s ethos is doing things BETTER.