“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.”
Rachael Richards, founder of Wild Willow Wellbeing, is a former lawyer turned yoga teacher and breathwork facilitator, whose work is rooted in helping others gently reconnect with themselves. Guided by her own journey from high-pressure corporate life to a more grounded, intuitive way of living, she shares simple yet powerful practices designed to bring calm, clarity, and balance back into everyday life.
"My own journey into yoga and breathwork began as a way to step out of my head and into my body. What started as a personal refuge became a path back to myself and eventually led me to become a teacher and the founder of Wild Willow Wellbeing.
Supporting others as they reconnect with their bodies and rediscover their inner peace and purpose is one of the greatest joys of my life.
Your breath is your anchor, your guide, and your greatest ally. When you learn to trust it, you begin to trust yourself".
In this journal, she shares her personal journey into yoga and breathwork, and the simple, powerful practices that invite us out of the mind and back into the body, where true wellbeing begins.
For those new to breathwork, what is it and why is it so effective for stress?
"At its simplest, breathwork is the practice of consciously guiding your breath to support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It might sound almost too simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. The way we breathe has a direct impact on how we feel, and learning to work with the breath allows us to shift our state in just a few moments—from stressed and overwhelmed to calm and grounded.
It can seem surprising, especially as we breathe automatically 24 hours a day. However, many of us develop habits such as shallow or irregular breathing, particularly when we’re under pressure. These patterns can unintentionally keep the body in a state of stress. By learning to breathe more effectively, we can support our nervous system, improve focus, and enhance our overall sense of wellbeing.
Some breathwork techniques also work on a deeper level, helping the body release stored tension and emotions. One transformative modality I facilitate is Conscious Connected Breathwork—a gentle, continuous, and rhythmic practice that encourages emotional release and restores balance. It’s a natural, safe, and deeply restorative experience that can bring clarity, calm, and a stronger connection to yourself".
What happens to our breath when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
"When we’re stressed or anxious, our breath becomes shallow, quick, and restricted to the chest. And often we are breathing through the mouth or even holding our breath without realising. It’s part of our natural fight-or-flight response, preparing us to react to perceived threats. But in modern life, those “threats” are often emails, deadlines, and endless to-do lists.
So many of us carry stress without even realising it—not just in the breath but in the body - tight shoulders, clenched jaws, and a subtle sense of bracing. And it’s not just physical tension; it’s emotional too. We’re often holding the pressure to keep going, to hold everything together, and to do more than feels sustainable.
This state pulls us out of presence and away from our natural balance. But the moment we bring awareness back to our breath, we begin to soften. The body feels safe again, the mind quietens, and we gently return to ourselves".
Can you share one simple breathing technique we can use in the moment?
"A beautiful and accessible technique is the 4–5–6 breath. It’s simple, calming, and can be practised anywhere.
- Inhale gently through your nose for a count of four.
- Hold softly for five.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for six.
- Repeat for one to two minutes.
The longer exhale signals to the nervous system that it’s safe to relax, helping to reduce anxiety and restore a sense of calm. I often return to this practice before teaching, during busy days, or whenever I need to reset. It’s like pressing pause and giving yourself a moment to breathe again—literally and figuratively".
How can we weave breathwork into everyday rituals, like skincare or winding down for sleep?
"Breathwork doesn’t have to be another task on your to-do list. In fact, its beauty lies in its simplicity—it can be woven effortlessly into moments you already have.
You might take a few slow, mindful breaths during your skincare routine, turning it into a grounding ritual rather than a rushed habit. While waiting for the kettle to boil, you can pause and breathe deeply. Before sleep, a few gentle, conscious breaths can signal to the body that it’s time to unwind.
On busy days, I love recommending a simple ten-minute reset:
• 2 minutes of grounding breathwork
• 5 minutes of gentle movement to open the spine and hips
• 3 minutes of stillness or meditation
It doesn’t need to be perfect or profound—the intention is simply to reconnect, regulate, and return to centre. It’s just about discovering what simple practices work for you to allow you to live with more presence and less pressure, feeling safe in your body, calm in your mind, and able to breathe fully".
If there’s one thing you wish everyone understood about their breath, what would it be?
"I wish everyone understood that their breath is a superpower for healing, resilience, and self-discovery. It’s always with you—free, powerful, and profoundly supportive. How we breathe is often a reflection of how we live.
Practices such as Conscious Connected Breathwork can help regulate the nervous system, release stored emotions, and bring clarity and insight. I often compare it to resetting a computer with too many tabs open—it allows everything to function more smoothly again".
If you’re curious to experience this work for yourself, you can explore more from Rachael Richards and Wild Willow Wellbeing through her guided session on YouTube Shorts. A gentle, grounding introduction to the power of your breath, wherever you are on your journey. Watch here:
