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In today's episode, we explore how conscious breathing calms the nervous system, opens access to the luminous mind, and widens the space between trigger and response. Liya James shares her journey from high‑achieving designer to breathwork guide, with practical ways to practice when the stakes are low.

• breath as a direct line to safety and presence
• luminous mind explained through Zen and IFS
• shifting from doing for worth to acting from worth
• training the gap between stimulus and response
• simple breath patterns that quiet rumination
• how online sessions and creative integration work
• using language to ask for time and space in conflict
• motherhood, lineage and breaking inherited patterns
• resources to continue: Liya’s site and Cat’s support

Show Guest:

Liya James is a certified breathwork facilitator, Zen practitioner, best-selling author, and artist. As the founder of Luminous Breathwork, she guides people through transformational journeys that blend conscious breath, creative expression, and contemplative practice—opening pathways for healing, clarity, and inner freedom.

After two decades leading global design and innovation teams, Liya turned her focus inward and discovered that creativity, when rooted in awareness, can be a profound source of transformation and insight. An immigrant, mother, and lifelong seeker, she brings presence, artistry, and compassion to her work—helping others untangle inherited patterns through trauma-informed, lineage-sensitive somatic practices.

You can connect with her at: https://www.luminousbreathwork.com/

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Couch Time with Cat isn’t therapy—it’s real conversation designed to support your journey alongside any personal or professional help you're receiving. If you're in emotional crisis or need immediate support, please get in touch with a professional or reach out to a 24/7 helpline like:

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• Or find local resources through findahelpline.com

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Show hosted by:

Catia Hernandez Holm, LMFT-A

Supervised by Susan Gonzales, LMFT-S, LPC-S

You can connect with Catia at couchtimewithcat.com

and

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