Emma Seppala is a Lecturer at the Yale School of Management and Faculty Director of the Yale School of Management’s Women’s Leadership Program.  She is also Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and the author of the best selling book The Happiness Track.

Emma starts by discussing the trauma in her own life that led her on a path to learning a powerful, ancient breathing techniques called Sudarshan Kriya.  Although most of us have never learned to control our emotions, breathing is an immensely powerful tool for helping to achieve this.

Emma explains how breathing can be integral for healing: “It makes sense for the healing process to begin at the level of the body, of the nervous system, and that’s where breathing really can help.”  Then, she talks about her work with veterans struggling with PTSD.  While counseling and pharmaceutical interventions were often ineffective, the breathing techniques proved to be largely transformative.

Finally, Emma dives into the power of self-love: “I teach a lot of women leaders.  A lot of women, maybe 90% of women and maybe all people, suffer from a lack of self-love.  And there’s really nothing that can heal that gap and wound within yourself.” And she adds: “If more people lived in a way that was harmonious with their own needs, then they would also have more harmonious relationships with others.”

You can learn more about Emma and her fascinating work on her website: https://emmaseppala.com/