S2E90 - Reset Chronic Stress with Conscious Connected Breathwork

Feeling stuck in burnout, overwhelm, or chronic stress? What if shifting your baseline nervous system state was less about pushing harder—and more about breathing differently?
In this grounded and practical episode of Onion Soup, Dexter sits down with breathwork coach Candice Lazar to explore how conscious connected breathing can gradually retrain the nervous system for resilience, clarity, and emotional freedom—while honoring that therapy remains an essential and irreplaceable tool for deep trauma work.
Candice breaks down her 45–55 minute monthly “breathwork journey,” built around a flowing three-part breath into the belly and chest.

She explains:
• What conscious connected breathing actually is
• Why breath holds and release create a physiological “climax”
• How integration and intention-setting help lock in new emotional states
• How NLP techniques can reinforce desired feelings while the subconscious is open
• Why hydration matters after mouth breathing sessions
• Why you shouldn’t jump straight into meetings afterward
• How cumulative practice shifts your baseline stress response over time

They discuss the polyvagal theory ladder and how breathwork can help you climb toward regulation rather than defaulting to fight-or-flight or shutdown. Candice also shares how her eight-week coaching program incorporates vision work, Internal Family Systems concepts, and other somatic healing tools.

For busy achievers and business owners navigating:
• Chronic stress
• Anxiety and overwhelm
• Burnout
• Brain fog
• Emotional reactivity
Candice offers simple habit cues that make breathwork realistic:
• Sticky notes
• Phone alarms
• Stressful traffic lights as reminders
• A color-changing breathing timer
• Resonant breathing (5-count inhale, 5-count exhale)
• HeartMath-inspired coherence practice

Her core message? Pay attention to your breathing. Regulation is trainable. And the benefits compound.
This conversation is about nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and practical tools—not bypassing reality, but building capacity to meet it.
 Support the Show

Explore grounding tools and holistic wellness products at: https://www.chakrawonders.com 
Support bonus content and deeper conversations on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/onionsoup 
 Support Our Guest Learn more about Candice Lazar’s programs and weekly breathwork techniques: https://www.44breathwork.com