In Conversation With: Rose Ferguson
Rose captured in the water meadows at Thyme
We are always delighted to welcome Rose to Thyme. She is a functional medicine practitioner working with clients around the globe to enhance their wellbeing.
We could chat endlessly about our shared passion for wellness and science, as well as a love of nature and our neighbouring countryside. In this ‘In Conversation’ piece, Rose talks us through some of her top wellness tips and how she has used breathwork in her own daily rituals, as well as with her clients.
A happy place is so important to any ritual to calm and soothe the mind, where is yours?
My happy place is a blend of tranquillity and vitality. It's found in my garden at home in the UK. It's a space where I can connect with nature and myself, grounding my thoughts amidst the hustle of daily life.
How important do you think it is to get out into nature?
Getting out into nature isn't just important; it's essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. It's a connection that's often overlooked in our fast-paced world. Nature offers a unique sense of calm and a chance to recharge. Studies consistently show that spending time in natural environments can lower stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function.
You are a mother, wife, model, student and functional medicine practitioner; from the school run to the catwalk; a fashion shoot to the exam room, has breathwork had an impact on your many illustrious careers? If so, how?
Breath work has been a cornerstone in managing my diverse roles. Whether it's prepping for a clinic or a shoot or focusing before an exam, breath work centres my mind, allowing me to be fully present in each moment. It's a tool that I use all the time, especially in moments of overwhelm, it helps me with clarity and focus across my various endeavours.
Bertioli Breathing Balm
How would you define breathwork?
Breathwork, is the conscious control of breathing, focusing on diaphragmatic breaths rather than shallow ones.
Aside from work situations, do you personally find breathwork a useful tool and why?
It's not just a professional tool but a personal one that aids in managing stress, enhancing clarity, I use breathing in order to create a bit of ‘space’ and slow down. It is a coping mechanism. It's my go-to method for self-regulation and mindfulness.
How do you use breathwork in your practice, is it something you actively prescribe to your clients?
In my practice I often integrate breathwork into a client’s protocol. It’s particularly effective in helping clients manage stress and anxiety, proven by its ability to influence the body's stress response and promote relaxation. Stepping out of the sympathetic nervous system for even short periods of time is hugely beneficial to overall health.
How do your patients benefit from breathwork? Have you had any direct feedback you are happy to share?
Absolutely, I have used breathwork more and more in my practice because the feedback is always so positive, apart from anything it is free! I work with a lot of what I would describe as ‘alpha’ people and these clients find it helps their decision making, and helps quickness to anger allowing for a measured response in the work place.
The healing power of breath, our sense of smell and the importance of our connection to nature have often been overlooked, their vital contribution to the wellbeing of both body and mind not fully appreciated. Our products, through the therapeutic power of breath, scent and nature help you to switch off the bodies stress response and so, well established in scientific principal, engage the bodies innate ability to heal itself.
Are there any particular tigger points or situations where you would recommend breathwork as an essential and go-to tool?
Using your breath in moments of overwhelm is incredibly useful, in times of stress the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for rational thought can be impacted – doing some breathwork can help this. I also advise those with digestive issues to use it before they eat – it literally moves the body from a fight or flight response to a rest and digest, which is where you need to be in order to process food intake effectively.
Learning to breathe again, especially as adults where we can all be notoriously set in our ways can seem a little daunting. Like all good things, does practice make perfect?
Like any skill, breathwork improves with practice. Starting with simple techniques and gradually increasing complexity can make the process less daunting. I will tell clients to do 4 diaphragmatic breaths 4 times a day in order to get them used to using it – it may sound simple, but we don’t do this – and this is how I start with people. Consistency is key to making breathwork a natural part of one's routine.
Is breathing, well breathwork in particular, something that should be part of our daily routine?
100% - your breath is always with you – it is the most accessible tool you have.