Hello
My name is Zila and I am grateful every day for my breath. I have relied on it to center myself during gruelling studies in engineering and law; held it close to regulate my nervous system during a fast-paced career in cybersecurity; paid minute attention to it during meditations; let it gently guide me through yoga practices; and now honour its power with conscious connect breathwork (CCB) or ‘circular breathing’.
My Story
As a sensitive child, I often found my breath stuck in my throat during emotional outbursts, leading to gasping and panting for air. Although this settled down as I grew, I became keenly aware of the subtle messages held in my breath.
In 2019, I began participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies in Costa Rica that led me through powerful heart-opening experiences of inter-connectedness, but also painful realizations that I was holding on to an identity that no longer served me. The breath was my anchor through these journeys. I commenced studying, writing and publishing poetry, as this gave me a language for embracing my inner world.
Two years later I experienced my first conscious connected breathwork session – this method of breathing, where there is no pause between the inhale and exhale, can alter one’s state of consciousness, and lead to expanded self-awareness as well as deep insights from one's Higher Self.
My first experience of breathwork was filled with light and my own innate knowing that my life is being orchestrated for my own evolution. I was astounded to realize that the breath, always with us, can be the medicine of choice that leads to deep insights. However, unlike plant medicine, the breather remains fully in control of their journey at all times, with their inner wisdom as their guide. Each breather is gifted their own unique experience.
In 2022, heartbreak and major life changes led me on a quest for change. I left my home of 50 years in Toronto, Canada and landed in Los Angeles for a year, before a swift transition to Joshua Tree, a magical place for renewal, introspection and connection to nature. I also became a breathwork facilitator recognized by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance. I am excited and deeply grateful to be here…designing transformative inner journeys with the breath for others.
The name “Joshua tree” originates from Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. They were inspired by the tree’s outstretched branches resembling the biblical figure Joshua, who led the Israelites to the Promised Land. This connection to the divine has endured, and the Joshua tree has become a powerful symbol of faith, perseverance, and spiritual awakening.
For me, the most remarkable aspect of the Joshua tree is its ability to thrive in the unforgiving desert environment, providing a reminder that we too possess the inner strength to overcome life’s challenges and grow in the face of adversity. The Joshua tree’s twisted, irregular form also serves as a reminder that our path may be filled with unexpected detours. As we navigate the twists and turns of life, growth is rarely a straightforward process!