How your breath can help you find more clarity, inner peace, and joy in life - Fini Cooper

In our busy and often hectic world, consciously seeking relaxation is essential for staying healthy and in balance. The question is: how do you do that? We asked London-based breathwork coach Fini Cooper. Here she shares her wisdom and tips.

It’s amazing to guide people how to use their breath to find more clarity, connection, peace, and joy in life.

Fini, what drives you in the work you do?

“My passion lies in empowering people to take charge of their own health and in helping them reconnect to their true selves, the part that knows what is best for them.

I came to this work through reaching rock bottom and realising I needed to make changes in my life. When I discovered breathwork I realised why all the years of ‘talking’ therapy were not enough - I needed to get into my body, I needed somatic healing.

Before I re-trained in breathwork after having several powerful personal experiences with it, I was working in organisational psychology. I now work as a breathwork teacher in London offering classes, workshops, and one-to-one online sessions.

I'm passionate about breathwork, because it transformed my own life, helping me to heal from childhood trauma, and to regulate my nervous system. I am generally much happier and more connected, thanks to breathwork. I love helping people to use their breath to find more clarity, connection, peace, and joy in their lives.”

Staying well-balanced is a challenge for everyone. How do you deal with this?

“I often struggle with self-confidence and consistency. These are my two biggest issues, with the second one probably being a result of the first. So I often do Joe Dispenza meditations. I find these amazing for reprogramming my subconscious and for giving me confidence, seeing my future self being happy.

Getting out into nature, particularly spending time at the seaside, helps me as well. If that’s not possible, then I like to be wherever there are as few people as possible. I live in London so that's sometimes difficult, but I have a lovely little park walk nearby where I can always find a quiet spot under the trees. I then take my shoes off and plant my feet into the earth to feel connected and grounded. If I don't have time but I feel stressed, I will simply close my eyes, and breathe deeply into my belly, in through the nose and out through pursed lips making an ocean sound. Coming back to my body, to my breath, works every time.

I think it's all about finding those little moments in the day when you can do these things, everything adds up. The book Atomic Habit by James Clear is a really good one because it emphasises how lots of small things compound to create big changes.”

Thanks to breathwork, I am generally much happier and more connected.

Do you have a daily self-care ritual?

“Each morning I do some coherent breathing. I will usually get up and go for a short walk too. And if not a walk, then always some stretching. It's very important to move your body in the morning.

I will also make sure I go outside and get some natural sunlight on my skin and eyes because it's amazing for your circadian rhythm. I am also very aware of how I feel and will respond to that quite quickly. If I start to feel overwhelmed or stressed I will give myself the morning off.

It is my top priority to listen to what my needs are and to not push myself. My mother was very ill for a long time and I believe it was worsened by stress and anxiety. So now I always put my well-being first, without being too controlling about it.”

What is your motto in life?

“You are 100% responsible for your own life!”

If you want to know more about Fini and her work, visit thebreathway.com or follow her via Instagram @thebreathway.