Participate in a program of gentle movement, breathing and relaxation exercises shown to reduce the experience of stress and have a positive impact on health and well-being. Get ready for the next moment from a place of calm and clarity.

Come for every session starting April 28, 2025 (Skipping June 9). If you need to miss a session, no worries; come when you can! 

This series will end July 7, 2025 

Your instructors will be Elena Falcone & Keerti Parhar.

Questions? Email elena@wlsmail.org

To complete your registration we ask that you review the Precautions and Responsibilities below. Your registration is an acknowledgment that you have read and been informed by this information.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN PARTICIPATING IN WESTCHESTER LIBRARY SYSTEM PROGRAMS FOR WESTCHESTER BREATHES

Westchester Breathes is grounded in the work of Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg – two clinical psychologists who identified, studied, and currently teach simple, effective voluntary regulated breathing exercises shown to reduce the experience of stress and increase the ability of the body to self-soothe and heal. Together these practices are known as Breath-Body-Mind™ (BBM).

In participating in this class, you will learn ancient and modern techniques to relieve stress and improve physical and mental well-being. The practices are safe for most people. Nevertheless, some people may experience physical discomfort, particularly if they have had recent injury or surgery, joint pain, back pain, muscle pain, or a very sedentary lifestyle.  

BBM practices can be done gently, sitting, or lying down if necessary. Listen to your body. If you experience physical discomfort, stop, relax, and seek guidance from the instructor.

Sometimes during the practices, emotions emerge, such as sadness, worry, or anger. Usually, such feelings are mild to moderate, short-term, and easy to manage. However, if you experience intense or disturbing emotions during the practices, please ask the instructor for support and guidance. If distress persists, ask the instructor for advice before continuing.

Please consult your personal physician if you have had recent surgery, uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent heart attack, or difficulty breathing before doing these practices. The instructor may need to modify some of the practices for individuals with certain physical or emotional issues.  

Please inform the instructor ahead of time if you have any of the following conditions: uncontrolled bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum, panic disorder, flashbacks or dissociation, acute or severe asthma, moderate to severe chronic obstructive lung disease, recent coronavirus with residual cough or airway sensitivity. If you have post-coronavirus airway sensitivity, you may need to do the breath practices more gently and avoid forceful breathing.

Also, please notify the instructor if you are pregnant. Pregnant women can benefit from Coherent Breathing. However, they should avoid breath holding, forceful breath practices, and lying on their right side (in the 3rd trimester).

The practices being taught in this workshop are not intended to be a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. If you suspect that you have a physical or mental condition, please consult your personal physician or primary healthcare provider.