What if one of the most powerful tools for calming your body was something you already do all day long? In this special conversation with Mast Cell 360, Fletcher Johnson shares how the way we breathe directly influences anxiety, inflammation, fatigue, and digestion-and how simple breath awareness can begin to rewire your nervous system for healing.
What if one of the most powerful tools for calming your body was something you already do all day long?
In this special interview with Mast Cell 360, I sat down with Jamie and Kimberly to talk about how the way we breathe affects everything from inflammation and fatigue to anxiety and digestion.
After years of navigating mold illness, Lyme, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), I learned that healing doesn’t always start with the 'to-do list,' it's an internal job. Here is an outline of what we covered in the video below.
My Story - How Breathwork Found Me
- Brief context on my personal health journey (mold, Lyme, MCAS).
- How learning about specific breathing patterns became a turning point, both personally and professionally.
- Why yoga, yoga therapy and Ayurveda.
The Breathing & Chronic Illness Connection
- Dysfunctional breathing patterns are common in those living with chronic illness because the body lives in survival mode.
- Reverse breathing keeps the nervous system stuck in “fight or flight.”
How Breath Impacts the Nervous System
- Breathing directly affects the vagus nerve → influences inflammation, digestion, and emotional regulation.
- When we breathe 'properly', we signal safety to the body.
- Breathing is the bridge to the nervous system regulation.
Small Shifts Create Big Change
- We have to start where we are, figure out where we want to go and build micro-habits that create nervous system stability.
- Shifting your breath pattern will change how you respond to stress, both immediately and cumulatively.
A Guided Practice You Can Try
The practice will help you to get to know your own breath, and give you a starting place for exploration.
You can follow along in the recording below and feel how quickly your body shifts when you connect to your breath.
Bringing It All Together
Breathwork, grounding, and mindful movement work together to build lasting stability.
If you’re ready to start gently rebuilding your foundation, explore my Rooted program or book a private session with me.
For more insight into your natural rhythms, take my free quiz, 'What season are you?'