When life becomes busy, overwhelming, or uncertain, our breath is often one of the first things to change. We may hold it without noticing, breathe more quickly, or feel as though there is no space to pause. Yet the breath is also something we can gently return to—a familiar doorway into awareness, choice, and a different relationship with stress.

In this special three-part series of Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell, I welcome breathwork and meditation coach and filmmaker Andrew Keaveney for a thoughtful journey from the science of nervous-system regulation to the everyday practices that help us meet life’s challenges with greater resilience. Rather than asking us to add another demanding task to our schedules, these conversations invite us to explore what can happen when we become curious about how we breathe.

Part 2 and 3 will be releasing over the next two weeks. Stay tuned for their posts. Sign up to receive the blog to your inbox and don’t miss an episode.

Three conversations, one journey toward resilience

Part 1: The Science of the Shift

We begin with the relationship between breathing, stress responses, and the nervous system. Our bodies constantly adjust to what is happening around and within us. During stress, breathing may become faster or shallower as the body mobilizes to respond. Deliberately slowing or softening the breath, when comfortable, can be one way of supporting a shift toward a more settled state.

Andrew helps us consider why noticing the breath matters before trying to change it. Regulation is not about staying calm at all times. It is about developing flexibility—the ability to respond to a challenge and find pathways toward recovery.

Part 2: Breath as a Pattern Interrupter

Stress can become familiar. We may move from one demand to the next without noticing the tension in our shoulders, the speed of our thoughts, or the way we are holding our breath. In our second conversation, we explore the breath as a gentle pattern interrupter: a moment in which we can notice what is happening and choose our next step with more awareness.

This is especially meaningful through a BioEnergetic Wellness lens. When we notice a pattern without judgment, we create an opportunity for new habits. A small pause may be enough to help us reconsider a reaction, soften unnecessary effort, or reconnect with what matters most.

Part 3: Ancient Roots, Modern Resilience

Our final conversation brings together the wisdom of longstanding contemplative traditions and the practical realities of modern life. How do we move from knowing that breathwork can be useful to creating a sustainable practice? What helps us return to it during busy days, difficult conversations, or periods of change?

We explore how a regular practice can become an invitation rather than another obligation. The value is not in doing it perfectly; it is in finding a supportive rhythm that works for you.

Meet Andrew Keaveney

Andrew Keaveney brings an unusual combination of contemplative training, teaching experience, and storytelling to these conversations. A Stanford film graduate, he spent four years living in an ashram in India, studying meditation and Sanskrit from within the tradition. He has taught breathwork and meditation for 17 years across the United States and India and works as a breathwork and meditation coach and filmmaker with the Art of Living Foundation.

Andrew has also helped launch a highly regarded wellness destination in the United States. His film work includes stories about meditation research at Yale and breathwork interventions connected with opioid addiction in rural Ohio; together, these short films have reached more than 500,000 views. He served as principal editor of the 2023 Wall Street Journal bestseller Notes for the Journey Within.

What I appreciate about Andrew’s work is the bridge he creates between ancient practice, contemporary research, and the real experiences of people seeking practical ways to care for themselves. Our discussions make space for both curiosity and compassion.

What is in your cup? Three teas for three moments of reflection

Each episode of Be Well begins with a tea ritual. This is our invitation to arrive in the conversation, notice the senses, and set an intention. The tea is not a substitute for healthcare, nor is any blend itself a proven treatment for stress. The ritual offers something simple and meaningful: a familiar pause in which we can listen to ourselves.

Golden SereniTEA — an invitation to soften

For our first conversation, Golden SereniTEA brings ginger and turmeric into the cup. Its reflection invites us to soften the urge to push through and welcome peace with confidence and authentic self-love. As the tea steeps, notice the warmth, the colour, and the rhythm of your natural breathing. What would it feel like to offer yourself a moment without rushing?

Highland Splendour — trust and transformation

Our second tea, Highland Splendour, brings together Earl Grey, honeybush, and rosehip. With its mountain-inspired reflection, this cup offers a beautiful companion to our discussion of changing patterns. A pause can give us a new vantage point: rather than reacting automatically, we can consider what we would like to carry forward and what we are ready to change.

Mintal ClariTEA — clarity for the journey

For our final conversation, Mintal ClariTEA invites reflection on direction, purpose, and the little things that matter most. Peppermint, ginkgo leaves, and calendula petals feature in this blend. As you hold the cup, ask yourself: What is one simple, sustainable practice I can return to this week? Let the answer be small enough to become part of everyday life.

Try a gentle breath-and-tea pause

1. Prepare a cup of tea you enjoy and settle somewhere comfortable.
2. Notice your feet, your seat, and the warmth of the cup in your hands.
3. Allow your breath to move naturally. If it feels comfortable, let your exhalation become a little easier and unhurried. There is no need to force a deep breath or hold it.
4. Choose an intention such as “I can pause before I respond” or “I welcome a little more ease today.”
5. Take a mindful sip and notice what you need next.

If a breathing practice makes you dizzy, distressed, or uncomfortable, return to normal breathing and stop the exercise. Breathwork should be adapted to individual needs, particularly when health conditions are involved.

Why listen to all three episodes?

Each conversation stands on its own, but together they offer a richer journey. First, we understand the body’s response to stress. Then, we explore how awareness of the breath can interrupt familiar patterns. Finally, we consider how to make the practice part of a life that is already full.

My hope is that you will come away not with another standard to meet, but with a renewed appreciation for the wisdom of your body and the small opportunities available to support your wellbeing.

Join the conversation and keep exploring

Listen to all three parts of this special Andrew Keaveney series on Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell through your favourite podcast platform. Subscribe or follow the show so you can return to the conversations, and share the series with a friend, colleague, or family member who may appreciate a new way to think about stress and resilience.

For those who would like to take the next step, visit the Greenwell Center for Holistic Health to explore online classes and on-demand learning opportunities that bring movement, awareness, intention, and BioEnergetic Wellness into everyday life. You can also explore the tea offerings and create a personal ritual that invites you to pause.

One breath does not need to change everything. Sometimes it simply reminds us that we have a choice about how we meet the next moment.