We all carry stories within us, stories that are often buried deep within our nervous systems, hidden behind walls of suppression and repression. These hidden narratives shape our lives in ways we may not even realize, leading to chronic stress, depression, and a constant sense of disconnection from our true selves. But what if I told you that the key to unlocking these stories, to freeing yourself from their grip, lies within something as simple—and as profound—as your breath?
Understanding Suppression, Repression, and Expression
Before we dive into the transformative power of breathwork, let's explore what suppression, repression, and expression truly are and how they intertwine with our nervous systems and trauma.
Expression is the act of making your internal reality known to the external world. It's about allowing your thoughts, feelings, and desires to surface and be seen. But for many of us, this is where the problem begins. The moment we receive a message—whether verbal or non-verbal—that it’s not safe to express ourselves, suppression starts to take hold.
Suppression is a conscious decision to hold back thoughts, feelings, and impulses to avoid distressing situations. It’s a defense mechanism we use to keep ourselves in check, to avoid the discomfort of vulnerability. For instance, holding back tears in public or stifling laughter in a serious situation are forms of suppression. While suppression can be useful in the short term, when used repeatedly, it becomes a way of life, a constant burden we carry.
Over time, suppression can lead to repression, an unconscious process where those suppressed thoughts, emotions, and memories are buried so deep that they become automatic. The mind and body, in their effort to conserve energy, hand these suppressed feelings off to the unconscious, where they continue to fester, causing anxiety, depression, and a host of other physical and emotional issues.
How Trauma Fuels Suppression and Repression
Trauma plays a significant role in the development of suppression and repression. When we experience something traumatic, our nervous system goes into overdrive, activating the fight, flight, or freeze responses. If we’re unable to process the trauma at the moment—if it feels too overwhelming, too dangerous to confront—we suppress it. This suppression, if left unaddressed, becomes repression, buried in the subconscious, influencing our behaviors, decisions, and relationships without our awareness.
I know this all too well from my own journey. As a child, I learned that it wasn’t safe to express my true self. One day, my parents told me I was too old to play with my beloved My Little Pony, labeling it a "girl's toy." That moment, seemingly insignificant, planted a seed of suppression within me. I began to hide parts of myself, conforming to what others expected of me, and in doing so, I lost touch with who I really was.
This pattern of suppression and eventual repression continued into adulthood. I bounced from one job, one relationship, and one coping mechanism to another, never feeling at home in my own skin. I was constantly searching for answers outside of myself, too afraid to look inward, too disconnected to face the truth.
The Breath as a Gateway to Healing
My healing journey took a transformative turn when I discovered the power of breathwork. I had been studying Theravada Buddhism and practicing mindfulness, but it wasn’t until I fully engaged with my breath during a severe anxiety attack that I understood its true potential.
One day, while battling yet another panic attack, a quiet voice within urged me to "sit down and breathe into this storm." I listened. I sat down, and I breathed. My breath was shaky, panicked, mirroring the chaos inside me. But I kept going. I allowed the breath to take me deeper into the discomfort, into the fear, into the suppressed and repressed emotions I had been avoiding for so long.
What happened next was nothing short of alchemy. As I continued to breathe, the wave of terror that had overtaken me began to subside. My nervous system, which had been locked in a state of sympathetic arousal (fight or flight), began to shift. My breath slowed, my body relaxed, and for the first time in years, I felt a profound sense of calm. My parasympathetic system, responsible for rest and digestion, signaled that it was safe to let down its guard.
This was the moment I realized that the breath is more than just a tool for mindfulness; it is a gateway to the unconscious mind, a bridge between suppression and expression. Through breathwork, I was able to confront the buried trauma, to release the repressed energy that had been holding me back, and to rewrite the story of my life.
Rewriting Your Story
If you’ve ever struggled with suppression or repression, if you’ve ever felt like you were living a life dictated by the expectations of others, know that there is a way out. The breath can be your ally, guiding you from a state of reaction to a state of response, from fear to freedom.
What do you do when you don’t feel safe enough to express yourself? Start by shifting from a state of suppression to one of expression. Surround yourself with a supportive community—friends, family, a coach, or a therapist—who can hold space for you as you begin this journey. And most importantly, breathe. Use breathwork to tap into your nervous system, to alchemize the suppressed emotions and to create a sense of safety within your body.
To begin your journey of self-discovery, ask yourself these five questions:
Where in my life do I feel a sense of unease or discomfort when expressing my thoughts, feelings, or desires?
What situations or relationships trigger a sense of needing to hide or hold back my true self?
Are there any recurring physical symptoms—such as headaches, stomach aches, or fatigue—that might be linked to suppressed emotions?
What memories or experiences come to mind when I think about feeling unsafe or judged for being myself?
What small, manageable change can I make today to start expressing my true feelings, even if it’s just in a journal or a conversation with a trusted friend?
As you reflect on these questions, consider taking one small step toward reclaiming your voice. It could be as simple as speaking up in a situation where you’d normally stay quiet, or allowing yourself to feel and acknowledge an emotion you’ve been pushing down. Each small change you make builds the foundation for greater transformation.
It’s time to break the chains of your past and step into the life you were meant to live. The past cannot be changed, but the stories we tell ourselves about it can be. Through breathwork, you can confront your suppressed and repressed emotions, release them, and begin to express your true self with love, laughter, and joy.
Call to Action:
Are you ready to start your journey of healing and self-discovery? Don’t wait another day to reclaim your life. I invite you to explore the power of breathwork and experience the profound transformation that comes from within. Reach out today to learn how we can work together to unlock your true potential and rewrite your story. Your future is waiting—let’s breathe life into it.
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