Breath-Body-Mind™ (BBM) uses evidence-based, mind-body practices, to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety and trauma.
Developed by world-renowned psychiatrists Dr. Richard P. Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg. At its core is Coherent Breathing—a simple yet profound technique that synchronizes the breath at a specific rhythm (around 5 breaths per minute) to balance the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and rapidly relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
As a Level 4 Senior BBM Teacher, I don’t just teach these techniques—I live them. My approach is further informed by my certification in the Oxygen Advantage® method, allowing me to bridge the gap between clinical breathwork and everyday emotional regulation.
What is Breath-Body-Mind (BBM)?
BBM in the Financial Times
In a recent feature on breathwork, The Financial Times highlighted the profound impact of the Breath-Body-Mind™ (BBM) program. Dr. Guy Fincham shared that while other methods helped, "true healing" began with the slower-paced practices of Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg.
“It was about accessing these states of deep relaxation, activating my parasympathetic nervous system – just taking off layers of stress,” says Fincham.
Learn about many of the BBM practices and how to use them at home with The Healing Power of the Breath
Who is Breath Body Mind for?
In short, for everyone! BBM is suitable for all ages, adults and children. and we work with a diverse range of people from healthcare providers, teachers, community leaders, NGOs, disaster survivors, and the general public.
Why Practice BBM?
By harmonising the breath, you directly influence your nervous system to create a profound shift in how you think and feel. Some benefits include:
Calm and Relaxation: Coherent breathing stimulates the vagus nerve activating the parasympathetic system (the “rest and digest” response) and it also reduces overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response).
Cardiovascular Resilience: improved Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a key marker of a flexible, responsive, and healthy heart-lung connection.
Neurochemical Balance: The practices stimulate the natural release of Serotonin to lift your mood and increase GABA, and important neuroinhibitor, to reduce over-reactivity.
Mental Clarity: Coherent breathing synchronizes the electrical rhythms of the brain, sharpening your focus and making it easier to shift from stress to problem-solving.
How I Work with BBM: My Offerings
BBM integrates gentle movement and meditation with breathing techniques drawn from a diverse range of global wisdom, including Yoga, Qigong, martial arts, and ancient tribal practices. As a Senior Level 4 BBM Teacher and a Yoga Teacher of 20+ years, I have the unique perspective required to integrate these modalities with ease and precision.
You will find BBM woven into the fabric of my:
Yoga Retreats: To deepen your immersion.
Workshops: To provide practical tools for stress.
1-1 Work: To support deep personal regulation.
My experience ensures that every breath we take together is backed by both ancient tradition and modern science.
"Reflecting on my 30-year journey in yoga, BBM stands out as one of the most vital practices I have encountered - one I wish I had discovered decades ago. It is a joy to now offer these practices to a diverse range of clients, many of whom have no desire to practice yoga, but find that these simple, rhythmic movements are exactly the sanctuary they need to find peace.” - Mandy
A Digital Sanctuary for Connection & Resilience
Join me every Wednesday for a live, hour-long Breath-Body-Mind session. These classes are designed to be a mid-week recalibration - a space to move out of "doing" mode and back into a state of balanced, regulation.
When: Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM (Azores Time) Check your local time here.
Where: Online via Zoom (Link provided upon registration)
Commitment: Join as and when you can. There is no requirement for consecutive attendance; the doors are always open.
Investment: I believe these practices should be accessible to everyone who needs them. To honour this, these sessions are run on a "Pay What You Can" donation basis. Whether you contribute the price of a coffee or the cost of a full studio class, your presence is what matters most (Payment link provided on registration)
The Weekly Practice
-
BBM Fundamentals Course
This 12-hour course is an introduction to all of the core BBM practices. An immersive experience for personal benefit and enjoyment.
This is also prerequisite for those wishing to move toward teacher certification.
-
Professional Teacher Training
I offer Level 1 Instructor Trainings in the Azores and co-facilitate Levels 1, 2 and 3 online.
Pre-requisites apply.
A Global Mission: Resilience in Action
BBM is more than a wellness practice; it is a vital tool for resilience in the face of disaster and trauma. I am honoured to serve as part of the BBM Foundation’s global outreach team, bringing these life-changing techniques to those navigating some of the world's most challenging crises and into communities worldwide.
From the Breath-Body-Mind Foundation website:
Through the Foundation, we are doing our part to heal past traumas and increase individual and community resilience so that we may thrive despite the many stresses in our lives, and, hopefully, shift global consciousness towards connection, compassion, and cooperation.
My work with the Foundation has included:
Ukraine & Turkey: Facilitating crisis relief programs and teacher trainings for those affected by war and natural disasters.
Cambodia & Brazil: Delivering trauma-informed programs to underserved populations and community leaders.
By practicing with me, you are engaging with a method that is used worldwide by healthcare professionals, NGOs, and disaster relief workers to restore hope and stability.