About
Take a Breath began with an invitation from a high school counselor who saw the need for this specific methodology. She invited us into her school to work with many students struggling with high anxiety and stress levels. Through student surveys we discovered the majority of students were feeling overwhelmed daily, and found relief within the one-hour experiential presentations we did with them.
We knew immediately guided breathing and relaxation techniques needed to be available to these students and educators 24/7. Therefore, the next step was to create a library of audio recordings.
In the News
We were thrilled to participate in a podcast with Daniel Bauer, of 'Better Leaders Better Schools', broadcast in early December, 2017. Daniel is gifted at bringing our passion forward in the interview, and his mission to support education and students shines through as well. Here is the link to the podcast:
Jeff Thomlinson
Founder and Director
Jeff is an accredited professional yoga teacher, yoga therapist and formerly the co-owner and director of Trinity Yoga Center, then Tandava Yoga in Kelowna, BC Canada since 2003. Jeff began teaching yoga in 1991. Jeff serves as content developer and offers program delivery for Take a Breath for Change program which has served communities since 2012. He is also the creator of The FreeBack Program, a yoga therapy back wellness program.
Jeff was born in a small logging and fishing town on the Washington Coast. His dad was a key influence in numerous ways- an Olympic caliber athlete and college quarterback, but also a victim of the effects of WWII. Jeff’s dad never recovered from the suffering, and passed away in 1973. Jeff survived the 1970’s while exploring some of the same excesses that caused his father's demise. However, the death of his dad created an increasing fire of inquiry that had begun even earlier. At 9 or 10 Jeff had a transcendent moment looking into a mirror, reflecting into another mirror infinitely! It created a visceral existential exploration; beginning with the amateur viewing of the night sky, and continued in spiritual pursuits as an adult.
Jeff moved on from the insecure teen years to join the US Navy which created a foundation and safety in the discipline. However, the internal struggle was still there and cam to a head in his mid-20’s as anxiety and depression. He began the arduous work on himself and began attending yoga classes (although he began practicing posture from a book he found in his hometown- still a ‘miracle’ in his eyes- where did that book come from?!). He now had tools and support for awareness to develop. Breath training was key, as well at the Kripalu style yoga he was student of, which had tenets of compassion and self-care. These practices had a meditative focus versus fitness, which is exactly what he needed to continue his work on himself. Now in his mid-twenties he was a young businessman, a yuppie in training he would say, he began a deeper spiritual inquiry, eventually moving to the Kripalu Center ashram in Western Massachussetts. At the Kripalu Center, in the safety and support of that intentional community Jeff flourished. He took on the daily discipline practices and became a disciple of Yogi Amrit Desai, receiving the spiritual name Harshad. In the years that followed, he was exposed to some of the most transformative Eastern mystical teachings and practices.
Jeff credits many teachers and practices which have informed, infused or inspired him. Including; Yoganand Michael Carroll, Stephen Cope, the old Kripalu staff, Erich Schiffman, Amrit Desai and many others who may not be recognizable names or mainstream teachers. Which would lead me to acknowledge other teachings- Landmark Education, the US Navy, his Mom, triathlons, Vipassana, the Metal Church/Metallica years, arthritis and all the students who have come through his trainings and studios. Obviously, some of the above included suffering and challenges, and those experiences he values the most!
Finally, I honor my teacher Michael Singer. I bow with deep reverence for all you have shown me in this ever present moment. Jai Mickey, Jai Masters