Additional Services

Breathing practices have existed worldwide for thousands of years. Breath-work is the conscious practice of altering one's breath patterns using specific techniques. Some techniques activate and energize, while others relax and calm. They all aim to open up the body's systems, including the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and muscular systems. This also opens up the body's energy systems. Breath-work is designed to bring harmony to an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Most breath-work originated from the yoga practice of pranayama, an ancient breath technique from India that has been passed down for thousands of years as a spiritual discipline. Pranayama, a Sanskrit term, means controlling the life force energy known as prana. Considered a form of meditation in itself, pranayama can manipulate prana by manipulating the breath, leading to a profound transformation in the energetic body that affects the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of our lives.

Research has shown that practicing pranayamas can:

• Increase the production of nitric oxide in the body leading to improved vascular health which lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Aid in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, thereby promoting enhanced cardiovascular and respiratory well-being
• Significant reduction in anxiety levels
• Calms the nervous system enhancing the stress response
• Improves sleep quality in people with obstructive sleep apnea
• Improve multiple parameters of lung function as indicated by pulmonary tests which can be useful for those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses

Immerse yourself in a plethora of breath-work practices, ranging from foundational deep breathing techniques to more intricate methods.  Book a private session to develop a pranayama practice, a group session, or as part of an interesting addition to an event.  See our booking page for available dates.

Meditation is the deliberate focusing of attention to bring about feelings of calm, heightened energy, and awareness.  Meditation of one style or another can be found in most of the major religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.  Generally, Eastern religions have tended to concentrate on meditation as a means of realizing spiritual enlightenment.

Studies have conveyed a multitude of health benefits linked to meditation practices.  A wide variety of meditation practices can reorganize brain networks, maintain balance, and preserve homeostasis of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).  The ANS is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, metabolism, and sexual responses.  While the ANS is mainly responsible for automatic actions that are done without any thinking on our part, the ANS is also influenced by our conscious awareness making meditation a useful tool.

While breast or chest feeding can be one of the most rewarding ways to nurture and bond with your baby, it doesn't always come with ease to all lactating families.  As a Certified Lactation Consultant, Odessa provides evidence-based, comprehensive breastfeeding education, counseling, and support services for lactating families. This support can take a variety of forms including but not limited to:

• Individual and group lactation support services
• Prenatal lactation education
• In-hospital consultations
•  Consultations in the home 
• Virtual visits (where appropriate)
• Breastfeeding education and counseling to healthcare providers, families, and communities