Spotlight: Breathwork with Aurora
We recently invited Aurora to tell us a little bit more about herself and her involvement in St. Andrew’s Community Centre.
Can you tell us a little about yourselves and the activity you take part in within St. Andrew’s?
My name is Aurora, and I’m originally from Italy. I have been living in Ireland since 2008 and as I always say, I feel the Irish have adopted me 😊 For a long time, I moved from job to job, unsure of what I really wanted to do with my life, until I discovered a deep sense of belonging and purpose through the practices of mindfulness and yoga. Today, I feel incredibly privileged to work in a field that I genuinely love and that has had such a positive impact on my own life.
I currently lead a variety of mindfulness and yoga workshops, as well mindfulness sessions/workshops at The Sanctuary in Dublin 7. I also facilitate sessions for service users within St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, offering mindfulness meditation as a supportive practice for mental and emotional wellbeing. In addition to group sessions, I provide one-to-one sessions for people who prefer a more private setting or who may find it difficult to commit to regular group schedules.
Over the years, I have also become increasingly curious about other holistic practices that can support nervous system regulation and emotional balance. Through my own personal journey, I discovered breathwork, and I found this practice particularly transformative. I believe it is a powerful and accessible practice that can offer real benefits to people’s overall wellbeing.
This is what inspired me to approach St Andrew’s Community Centre. I would love to make breathwork more accessible to people within the local community, whether they are completely new to the practice or already have some experience and are looking to deepen their journey.
Tell us more about the activity you run and who it’s for.
Here at St. Andrew’s Community Centre, I run a monthly 1.5-hour breathwork session, usually on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00pm. The sessions are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of eight participants, so that I can create a safe, supportive and intimate environment where everyone feels comfortable and appropriately supported.
The breathwork I facilitate is a fast, active, circular and continuous style of breathing. It is designed to encourage participants to connect more deeply with their bodies, emotions and sensations, and may help to release stress and emotions that have not yet been processed. People can experience a variety of sensations during a session, such as tingling, changes in body temperature, dizziness or other physical sensations. Some people may experience a deeper emotional release, such as crying or laughter, while others may experience very little or nothing noticeable. Every person responds differently, and there is no “right” or “wrong” experience. Even when someone does not feel that much is happening, the practice can still provide an opportunity for deeper awareness and connection with the body.
The breathwork is only one part of the overall session. We usually begin with grounding and meditation before moving into the active breathwork practice. I may also incorporate gentle movement, such as shaking, to encourage participants to connect with and release physical tension or energy in the body. Where appropriate, I may offer somatic touch, but this is always entirely optional and based on clear, informed consent.
Because this is an active form of breathwork, I take participant wellbeing and safety very seriously. I carry out an initial screening, particularly for anyone attending for the first time, to ensure that the practice is appropriate for them. Certain health conditions and circumstances, such as pregnancy, glaucoma and uncontrolled high blood pressure, may mean that this particular type of breathwork is not suitable. This screening allows me to understand who I am working with and to create the safest possible environment for everyone attending. Normally, I also leave some time at the end of the session for integration. This gives participants an opportunity to rest, notice how they are feeling, and gently process their experience.
How has it been going so far?
It has been a really positive experience so far, both for me and for the people who have been attending. I have generally received very encouraging feedback from participants, with many regulars saying that they have found the sessions beneficial and that they feel more relaxed and connected to themselves after the session.
I feel that the small group setting at St Andrew’s Community Centre has worked really well, as it allows for a more personal and supportive experience. Overall, I feel very grateful to be able to offer these sessions and to see people benefiting from the practice.
How can someone get in touch with you?
People can get in touch with me through my website, auroraholisticspace.com
For new participants, I normally follow up by email with a short screening form, which includes some questions about their health and wellbeing, as well as the relevant information and disclaimer. This allows me to make sure the practice is suitable for them and helps me to create a safe and supportive experience for everyone attending.
Lastly, do you have an interesting or inspiring fact you’d like to share with us?
I am very passionate about what I do, and I’m always looking for ways to learn, grow and improve. Helping people to support and improve their wellbeing has become my little and humble mission in life. I feel deeply grateful that I have the opportunity to do work that I genuinely love and that can hopefully make a positive difference to others.
So, I think my goal is quite simple: to keep learning, keep growing and keep going!