Harnessing Breathwork for Female Creatives and Entrepreneurs: Best in Class Insights from Roxy Hempel

The breath is an incredibly powerful tool - one that we all have access to, yet often overlook.

In this Best in Class Insights article, Breathwork Practitioner, Roxy Hempel, shares how to harness the power of breathwork as a female creative and entrepreneur. Over to Roxy…

As a woman navigating the demands of business, creativity and motherhood, I’ve faced my fair share of overwhelm and anxiety. Balancing the need to be both strategic and innovative while managing day-to-day responsibilities can sometimes feel like you’re walking a tightrope.

For a long time, I felt overwhelmed and struggled to maintain clarity and focus amid the constant pressures, but, I then discovered breathwork and staggered at the profound impact of this practice. I then went on to gain my certifications as a trauma-informed practitioner.

ROXY’S JOURNEY TO BREATHWORK

My introduction to breathwork came at a time when I desperately needed relief. The stress and anxiety were beginning to take a toll not only on my mental health but also on my creativity and ability to make good decisions. Traditional stress-management techniques like exercise and meditation helped to some extent, but they didn’t address the root of my anxiety. That’s when I started exploring breathwork.

Through training and consistent practice, I learned that the breath is an incredibly powerful tool - one that we all have access to, yet often overlook. Breathwork isn’t just about relaxation; it’s about reclaiming control over your mind and body, and in turn, your life and work. This practice has allowed me to find calm in the chaos and clarity when everything feels muddled.

WHY BREATHWORK MATTERS FOR FEMALE CREATIVES AND ENTREPRENEURS

If you’re a woman in business or a creative field, you know how overwhelming it can be to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. Breathwork offers a practical, effective way to manage this overwhelm and reconnect with your inner strength. Here’s why I believe breathwork is essential:

1. Managing Overwhelm and Anxiety
   
   Stress is inevitable throughout life, but breathwork helps you manage it more effectively. By practicing specific breathing techniques, you can activate your body’s parasympathetic nervous system - the system responsible for rest and relaxation. This shift not only reduces stress but also gives you the space to think more clearly, make better decisions and sleep better.
   
   

2. Enhancing Focus and Clarity
   
   Breathwork has been a game-changer in this regard. It helps me center my mind, cutting through the mental clutter and bringing my attention back to what truly matters. A short practise can bring me a sense of sharpness and clarity that I didn’t have before.
   
   

3. Finding Emotional Balance
   
   The rollercoaster of emotions that come with being an entrepreneur, a creative and a mother can be exhausting. Breathwork has taught me how to regulate my emotions more effectively, helping me to stay grounded even when things get tough. This emotional resilience is crucial for navigating the inevitable ups and downs of life, and for guiding my children through their emotional processing too. 
   
   

4. Unlocking Creativity
   
   Creativity doesn’t flourish under stress. In fact, it often shuts down entirely when we’re overwhelmed. Breathwork has allowed me to access deeper states of relaxation, where my best ideas and insights naturally emerge. It’s in these moments of calm that my creativity truly flows, leading to breakthroughs and innovative solutions.
   

BREATHWORK EXERCISE FOR FOCUS AND CLARITY

One of the most effective breathwork techniques I’ve incorporated into my daily routine is box breathing. It’s a simple yet powerful practice that I turn to whenever I need to support myself. Here’s how to practise this box breathing technique:

1. Find Your Space

   
   My favourite way to practise this is on a “no input” walk (no headphones, no dog, no kids, just my footsteps and nature). I find movement is also really good if I am struggling with a build up of emotions but if you cannot get out, you can sit comfortably in a chair with your feet flat on the ground, or cross-legged on the floor. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and your hands resting on your lap.
   

2. Inhale
   
   Slowly breathe in through your nose for a count of four, allowing your abdomen to expand as you fill your lungs.
   

3. Hold
   
   Hold the breath for a count of four, maintaining a sense of calm and stillness.
   

4. Exhale
   
   Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of four, releasing any tension with the breath.
   

5. Hold
   
   Pause and hold. Then repeat steps 1-5. Practising this technique for 5 or 10 minutes in the middle of your day can be really beneficial and grounding, and it’s simple and easy to remember - just think 4/4/4/4.
   

THE FINAL WORD

Breathwork has been a transformative force in my life. It’s a reminder that no matter how overwhelming things may feel, you have the power to reclaim your focus, sense of inner calm and creativity by simply turning inward and harnessing the power of your breath.

I encourage you to explore this practice and see how it can support you in your own journey - because within each breath lies the potential to reconnect with the powerful, creative force that you are.

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