When the World Went Dark, The Breath Lit the Way

When the world turned dark for Laura, one breath at a time became her way back to calm, clarity, and control.

What if the way you breathe could change how you live?

In this powerful episode of Breathwork Magic, host Amanda Russo is joined by Laura Bratton, a speaker, coach, and longtime Breathwork enthusiast whose journey began in the midst of personal crisis.

As a teen facing rapid vision loss, Laura experienced intense anxiety and panic, living in a cycle of shallow breathing until one simple instruction changed everything:

“Breathe from your diaphragm.”

Together, they explore how that single moment evolved into a deeply embodied Breathwork practice. Laura shares the tools that helped her shift from survival mode to presence: box breathing for immediate calm, body scans to either energize or unwind, and mindfulness to gently observe and shift thoughts. The conversation also explores how Reiki and gentle yoga complete a healing triangle of breath, energy, and awareness.

If you’ve ever thought “I already know how to breathe,” this episode meets you exactly where you are... offering both the science and soul of why conscious breathing is one of the most accessible and powerful tools for navigating life’s challenges.

🔹 In this episode, listeners will learn:

• How Breathwork became Laura’s anchor through trauma, vision loss, and anxiety
• The calming power of box breathing and how it resets the nervous system
• How mindfulness creates awareness of breath patterns and emotional states
• The difference between using Breathwork as a tool vs. living it as a lifestyle
• Why body scans serve both morning intention and nighttime release
• How Reiki and yoga deepen the mind-body connection
• Why Breathwork doesn’t eliminate panic, but transforms the way it’s experienced

🔹 Connect with Amanda Russo, The Breathing Goddess:
~ Sign Up for Virtual Mindful Mindset Mondays HERE

~ Book a 1:1 Breathwork Session HERE

~ Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess