Thought Partner Feature: George Ramsay

Borne out of his upbringing and the second-hand trauma he experienced as a 7th grade math teacher, George Ramsay has crafted a career that puts people--and their breath--in the driver’s seat of their own self-healing. George uses Breathwork, an active meditation technique, as a tool for regeneration and enhanced self-regulation. Let’s meet him!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t take advice. Instead, go inward, and get quiet. Know that “the answer is within you.” (People used to say that to me and I’d hate it. Breathwork showed me how to find the answer.) You're the only person who can truly tap into your intuition. 

What’s your favorite kitchen appliance?

A garlic press. I hate cutting garlic! It leaves a scent on my hand for days. My partner gave me a garlic press, and it changed my world!

What do you know for sure?

Our bodies hold a lot more intelligence than we often acknowledge. There’s a lot to be uncovered by dropping out of our minds and into our bodies. There are years of experiences that sit in our bodies and leave a residue. When we are able to drop in, we are able to access memories, insights, and knowledge that we didn’t know was available to us.

What’s your favorite teaching memory?

During my first year of teaching, one of my students (let’s call her Jessica) stayed behind after a tough class. She said, “Mr. Ramsay, you’re a mess. You need my help.” She appointed herself as class manager and gave everyone jobs, from door greeter to classroom decorator. As a student who found herself frequently off-task, stepping into this leadership role allowed Jessica to realize her strengths and gifts. In helping me, she discovered her own power. 

What’s your favorite stress management tool, and why? How would you have used this tool during your teaching career?

Definitely Breathwork. Breathwork is an active meditation practice that you do while lying down. You breathe in a repetitive pattern that allows your body to drop into an altered state of consciousness. It releases stress and anxiety and helps us tap into our intuition and creativity. I wish I had this tool while I was in the classroom!

Over time, I lost connection to why I was teaching. I was so disconnected from my core purpose, which was to build a loving community with my students. I wasn’t in a place to do that because I was depleted. While teaching, I gained 25 pounds. Every Friday, I would eat and drink my feelings through pizza, really delicious cheese, and a bottle of wine. I was numbing the intensity of the second-hand trauma I absorbed from my students’ experiences and wasn’t releasing it, so I didn’t know how to move forward. I knew I was capable of achieving my purpose, but I felt stuck--I didn’t have the energy or the tools to take care of myself. Breathwork would have allowed me to process and release those emotions and be more creative in the classroom. I likely would have been able to design more interesting math projects and more immersive experiences. 

After finding Breathwork, it was revolutionary to realize how much of my life experiences were stored in my body. I was able to surface and release emotionally traumatic (lower “t” trauma) experiences. Growing up in the South as a gay man, I didn’t realize how much I had internalized around my own worth and value. Through Breathwork, I was able to release those beliefs and realized my own heart and gifts. I then felt safe sharing those more fully without fear of rejection or loss. 

In the education space, we have incredibly hard-working, empathetic people doing the most important job in the world. I consistently see teachers prioritize their students over their own health, though. I believe we are able to give more fully when we heal our own wounds and prioritize self-care. If we do those things, we get to focus on what really matters: building relationships with students and creating creative classrooms where they can flourish.

How can we learn more about Breathworks?

Follow me on Instagram @ TheBreathworks. I also offer virtual one-on-one and group Breathwork sessions (I love working with teachers!).

I also offer a 45-minute “Introduction to Breathwork” as a professional development session for schools. You can learn more about my other offerings on my website (and receive a free 15-minute Breathwork meditation to see what it’s about). Please don’t hesitate to send me a note with questions (george@george-ramsay.com). I’d love to hear from you!