Untangling the Ego Through Breathwork

Discover Inner Harmony and Liberation with Conscious Breath

We all live by a set of patterns that we’ve adapted over time; these perceptions of our identity make up the ego. We can become so entangled in the idea of who we are that sometimes we fail to see the bigger picture in life. This hinders our personal growth and upsets our inner peace.

There comes a time when our ego can start to dominate over our peace of mind. When this happens, self-reflection is in order, and breathwork becomes the tool to help you unlock a path to profound self-discovery.

Understanding the Ego

Let’s first look at the ego and how it manifests in our lives. The ego is a web of thoughts, habits, beliefs, and perceptions about who you are. These thoughts, habits, beliefs, and perceptions shape your identity and affect how you interact with the world around you. The ego is necessary for preservation, and learning how to navigate with the outside world. The problems come when your ego becomes misaligned, distorting your sense of self. You know when this happens because it causes stress, anxiety, and discontentment.

When you hear the term “ego mind” it is used to describe how your conscious self (ego) influences your awareness and in turn your decision-making. Not only is the ego mind responsible for how you see yourself, but it also serves as your sounding board for how you adapt to social norms.

The ego mind is always at work. A sea of never-ending thoughts that determine where you put your focus and can create blind spots that hinder your growth and disturb your inner tranquility.

The Power of Breathwork

Breathwork has been practiced throughout human history and is rooted in many ancient traditions. It can be a powerful tool for untangling the ego.

Through the practice of conscious breathwork, you tap into the autonomic nervous system. This helps encourage you to be more present and mindful, creating space for self-reflection so you can begin to unravel the complexities of your ego.

Here’s how…

Ego Awareness Through Breath

Settling into your breath begins with awareness. As you focus on your breath you begin to observe its natural flow. The rhythm and the depth start to become a tool for recognizing patterns, not only in your breath but also in your thoughts and behaviors. Through this awareness of being you start to more easily see when you are driven by the ego and can begin to assess whether or not it is a benefit or hindrance to your growth.

Do it now…

• Focus on your breath, and observe its natural rhythm and depth.
• Notice where your breath naturally wants to flow.
• Notice if there is any resistance to your breath.
• Notice if the breath moves deep within your belly.
• Notice if you feel your inhales widen through your ribcage.
• Notice if the exhales feel smooth or labored.

Ask yourself…

• Can I allow every inhale to create a little more space from within?
• Can I view every exhale as an opportunity to release tension?

See how a little attention to breathing can anchor you into this present moment?

As you practice awareness of breath you open yourself to the opportunity to detach from the stories your ego mind has created to protect itself.

Breathe The Tension Away

The tension and stress you’re holding is often a result of the ego. Learning to let go of the grip the ego has on both your body and your mind takes work. Lucky for us breathwork is great at helping you to release the physical and emotional blockages we hold inside.

Deep intentional breaths promote a sense of ease and relaxation because every exhale is a chance to drop or release what you don’t need to carry.

Imagine a 3-year-old on the verge of a massive breakdown (preferably a 3-year-old you love). You can see the panic rise from their eyes, they start to turn red, their entire body tensing up, and what do we say? Breathe. And why do we say it? Because we know that when they take a few deep breaths the tension will ease, the mind will calm, and we can (hopefully) prevent an Oscar-worthy breakdown.

We know this, but sometimes as adults, we need to be reminded to breathe too. Sometimes when our ego is misaligned we become the 3-year-old, too clouded by our perceptions. We become tense and we walk around carrying that tension with us all day long. When you learn to utilize simple breath practices in your day you can release that tension in the moment.

Try it now.

• Take a deep full inhale into your belly, allowing it to balloon forward.
• Now exhale out the mouth slowly.
• Again, big belly breath, and exhale out the mouth slowly.
• On this inhale move the breath from your belly up into your ribcage.
• Hold here for 1 to 2 seconds and slowly exhale out the mouth.
• One more time, biggest breath filling up the belly, widening through your ribcage, and expanding up into your chest.
• Hold this time for 4 seconds, and exhale it out the mouth with a sigh.

Breathe Into Your Truth

By developing a consistent breathwork practice, you'll notice layers of stress begin to peel away. Underneath each layer, you expose a little more of your truth. This is a process of self-discovery that guides you closer to connecting with your authentic self. It can be transformative as you start to evaluate your values, passions, and desires. Your breath is there to support you as the ego unravels and liberation and clarity emerge.

As your ego becomes more in line with the true nature of things, you begin to see compassion all around.

Self-compassion is important as you start to navigate the ego. It is best approached from a place of kindness and understanding. The old you didn’t know what the new you knows, so allow the breath to become a vehicle for compassion. Allow yourself to embrace your imperfections and accept that you too are evolving and not tied to the mistakes and identities of your past self.

Untangling the ego is a crucial step on the journey to self-discovery. Breathwork offers an accessible way for you to navigate through the sometimes somber moments that guide you to your higher self. The simple act of breathing is a powerful yet subtle tool you can access on the road to transformation and inner healing.

Want to go deeper? Check out my audio tracks on Insight Timer, or dive into my 7-Day Foundations of Breath Challenge.

Breathe Well