Spring Release: Rebirth, Breathwork, and Letting Go
By Paula Lalanne
Spring has a way of reminding us that renewal is inevitable. No matter how long the winter lingers—both in nature and in life—there is always a season of rebirth waiting on the other side. And after the whirlwind of the past few months, I’m more ready than ever to embrace that fresh start. If there’s anything that this season of transition has taught me, it’s that there’s always room for growth and change. And right now, I’m bursting with excitement about the incredible message the film My Dead Friend Zoe is sharing with the world.
My fiancé, one of the producers of the recently released film, My Dead Friend Zoe, and its release has been an unforgettable ride—screenings, travel, connecting with amazing people who truly resonate with its powerful themes. This film carries a message of healing, resilience, and confronting the weight of our pasts in such a profound way. As we’ve been screening the film and sharing it with audiences, I’ve seen firsthand how it’s touching lives, encouraging people to embrace vulnerability and find strength in the face of adversity. It’s exactly the kind of reminder we all need that, no matter what we’ve been through, there’s always a path forward, always room to heal and grow.
Spring is about shedding—the heavy coats, the dead leaves, the things that no longer serve us. And just like the seasons, our bodies and minds need their own release. For me, that release has always come through movement—Pilates, breathwork, lifting weights—anything that lets my body process what my mind sometimes struggles to let go of.
During the craziness of the film’s release, I caught myself holding onto stress, feeling it creep into my shoulders, my jaw, my breath. Stress has this sneaky way of building up, doesn’t it? It settles in our muscles, tightens our minds, and slows our breath. It wasn’t until I forced myself back onto my mat, back into deep belly breathing, back into intentional movement, that I truly exhaled. Breathwork, in particular, became my secret weapon. Not only does it oxygenate the body, but it also resets the nervous system, quiets the mental noise, and allows you to tap into a deeper state of clarity.
Inhaling deeply and feeling the expansion of my lungs, followed by a slow, deliberate exhale, allowed me to create space for peace and healing. One of my favorite breathwork techniques, Box Breathing, is a simple but powerful practice that helps calm the mind and reset the nervous system:
Inhale for a count of 4.
Hold for a count of 4.
Exhale for a count of 4.
Hold the breath at the bottom for a count of 4.
Repeat for 3-5 minutes, and you'll notice how it brings your body into a state of balance. This technique can be used anytime you feel overwhelmed or anxious, or even just to start your day with a sense of calm.
Another technique I swear by is 4-7-8 Breathing, which is especially helpful before bed or in moments when you need to reset your energy:
Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
Hold the breath for a count of 7.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8.
This practice activates your parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging deep relaxation and calming the stress response.
Breathwork has become my anchor, a way to clear out the mental clutter and bring my focus back to the present moment. It's something I return to often—whether during a hectic day or when I just need to let go of accumulated tension. I encourage you to make breathwork a part of your daily practice, even if just for a few minutes.
So, as spring unfolds, I’m leaning into the lesson I was reminded of during this hectic, beautiful season: release to renew. Let go of what you no longer need, make space for what’s to come, and breathe deeply—it’s all unfolding exactly as it should. Let the breath guide you, just as nature guides us toward our own seasons of renewal.
