June 30, 2025

Unlock Stress Relief at Work with Breathwork & Chair Yoga | Featuring Shawn Bradford

At Herbal Mana, we believe that true healing addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. While our products help relieve physical pain, we also celebrate the simple, natural practices that support emotional wellness and long-term resilience. In this episode of the Herbal Mana Podcast, we explore the power of stress relief through breathwork and chair yoga, two accessible practices that can transform the way we move through our day.

Our guest, Shawn Bradford, is a corporate wellness coach and founder of Breathe and Work. She’s not only a seasoned yoga teacher, but also a former sales executive and busy mom who knows firsthand what it means to feel overwhelmed and overextended. Her approach is built around one powerful idea: you don’t need to roll out a yoga mat to change your life—you just need a chair and a breath. Ready to learn more? Watch the full episode or keep reading below!

From Burnout to Breath

Shawn’s story begins with stress. After years in the corporate world and raising three young children, she found herself running on empty. Yoga wasn’t something she chose—it was something she was gently pushed toward by a loved one who saw she needed help. What started as a reluctant visit to a yoga class became a life-changing path that helped her reconnect with herself and redefine her purpose.

In the episode, she shares how her personal transformation led to a professional mission: bringing breathwork and chair yoga into the workplace. By doing so, Shawn helps employees and leaders alike reset their nervous systems, reduce anxiety, and move through their day with greater calm and clarity.

Practical Tools for Real People

One of the things we love most about Shawn’s approach is its simplicity. You don’t have to know anything about yoga to benefit. As she explains, most of her corporate sessions begin with just five minutes of breathwork, followed by gentle movement right in a desk chair, and a brief body scan meditation to close. These micro-practices create a noticeable shift—even in the most skeptical participants.

She shares how focused awareness can help people reconnect with their bodies, release tension they didn’t even know they were holding, and regain the ability to respond instead of react. For anyone dealing with chronic stress, pain, or inflammation, these gentle movements and breath patterns offer an easy, free tool to find relief.

Movement Matters—Even in Small Doses

Shawn and Todd also dive into the importance of frequent movement throughout the day. Citing research from sources such as the American Heart Association and the Pomodoro Technique, they discuss the benefits of taking breaks every 25 to 60 minutes—not just for productivity, but also for heart health, improved circulation, and reduced inflammation. Something as small as a shoulder roll, a posture reset, or a breath cycle can be a game changer.

As Shawn puts it, “You don’t have to change everything. You just have to give yourself permission to pause.”

Better Sleep, Less Stress

Later in the episode, the conversation turns to sleep—another key component of healing. Shawn shares how she discovered Yoga Nidra, a practice sometimes called “yogic sleep,” that helped her finally rest during one of the most stressful seasons of her life. She now teaches this technique as part of her virtual offerings, helping others unlock deeper rest through a simple practice of breathing and rotating awareness through the body.

They also discuss the role of technology and screen time in sleep quality. For anyone who struggles to wind down at night, Shawn offers practical tips for reclaiming bedtime as a sanctuary—and how simple breathwork can support relaxation and nervous system balance.

One More Way to Hurt Less and Live More

At Herbal Mana, we’re always looking for ways to support your healing journey. Whether it’s Shawn’s powerful approach to stress relief through breathwork and chair yoga, or the healing compounds found in nature, we believe that simple changes can lead to powerful outcomes.

If you're looking for physical support to pair with your emotional wellness routine, we recommend trying Royal Warrior Frankincense DMSO Cream. This deeply penetrating formula is designed to help reduce inflammation, ease joint and muscle pain, and release tension held in the body—making it a perfect companion to breathwork and mindfulness practices.

Whether you’re breathing deeply at your desk or winding down at night, small steps like these can help you hurt less and live more—every single day.