I'm joined by Bal Matharu to talk about how breathing links the nervous system, stress biology, and Long Covid symptoms, and why recovery often begins with creating a genuine felt sense of safety. We share practical ways to assess and change breathing patterns, plus the role of co-regulation, boundaries, and carefully held breathwork support.

• Bal’s path from advanced respiratory physiotherapy and ICU work to lifestyle medicine and PhD breathwork research
• The six pillars of lifestyle medicine and why stress management often underpins the rest
• Acute stress versus chronic stress and how the body shifts blood flow, hormones, and immune function
• Cell danger theory, mitochondria, ATP, and why fatigue can be a protection signal
• Safety as a felt sense through neuroception rather than a purely cognitive idea
• Breath assessment basics, posture, high chest breathing, diaphragm use, and longer exhales
• Overstimulation, silence avoidance, and letting emotions move through the body in short windows
• Co-regulation, practitioner capacity, and building safe spaces for nervous system work
• Boundaries, people pleasing patterns, and choosing relationships that support regulation
• Selecting credible breathwork practitioners and avoiding unsafe cathartic methods

Links:

Bal's Website: https://www.bodymind-iq.com
Embody Ecosystem: https://go.bodymind-iq.com/embody-ecosystem

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For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

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The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

www.LongCovidPodcast.com
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**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**