Meet Kirby Slager

We recently connected with Kirby Slager and have shared our conversation below.

Kirby, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose through trial and error, until I gained years to my age and wisdom in my years to realize “my purpose” is not in what I do, but in WHO I am. My purpose does not have a job title or a 150 character Instagram bio. My PURPOSE is felt when I enter a room; it is seen through the presence of my gaze and the embodiment of the words I speak. I AM my “purpose”; and what a relief that I no longer have to search far & wide for something “out there,” because I simply cannot be without purpose if I am present with myself.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a Breathwork facilitator and deep believer in the healing power of your Body. I grew up being thrust onto a Stage by a Music teacher who “saw something in me.” I remember my tiny body trembling as I stepped into the lights, and the next thing I knew, I felt like I had returned to a Home I’d known for Lifetimes. This one opportunity lead me to decades of performance in Musicals, Theatre, and Improv & Sketch Comedy in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Breathwork came to me during a time of great uncertainty in my life. I was searching so incessantly outside myself for validation & meaning . I believed if I JUST looked hard enough, I’d find this magic “purpose” that everyone was talking about. I felt desperate & starved for a life of deeper connection. I was introduced to Breathwork and instantly felt a connection with my own body that had long ago been silenced. The more I practiced, the more I released layers of story & limiting beliefs. With time, I began to hear my body, my intuition again, I began to not only KNOW myself deeper but learn to regulate my nervous system to feel safe in whatever emotions arise.

I believe my “lane” in Breathwork is in helping others feel the same safety within themselves. My passion lives in seeing individuals leave with a deeper sense of connection with themselves, and with less fear of FEELING it all. My humor has never left me from my decades in comedy, and I believe my gift is in bringing light to the depth of emotion. I currently teach at Breathe Degrees in Carlsbad, CA teaching two different types of Breathwork as well as Monthly Multi-Instrumental Soundbaths.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Humor – you have to be able to laugh at yourself and giggle at the ride of being Human. Human-ing is TOUGH, DEEP, RICH work, and if you take it all too seriously, it will gladly mirror your tight grip of control. I don’t care where you find yourself on the spectrum of Spirituality, the fact is that we are ALL little energy packets floating through space on a giant rock in the middle of an enormous galaxy – THAT. IS. AMAZING.

Humility – Your going to mess up, you’re going to have hard days/weeks/months/years…. Life is going to consistently show you where you are NOT free – so learn early how to say “my bad” “I was wrong” “I don’t know” “can you help me?” – Because no one does it alone, and my goodness does it feel good to not take it all so seriously*. *(see “Humor)

Honesty – Be truthful with yourself FIRST. Period. Don’t B.S. yourself. If you feel angry – FEEL it. If you feel you’re not giving everything you got – acknowledge it. When you’re honest with yourself, you build TRUST with yourself – and when you build trust with yourself you start to know where your true boundaries are. Don’t lie, just be kind and learn how to say “No thank you.” If you don’t feel safe feeling an emotion, ask for help from a trusted perfessional, otherwise that emotion will run your life. The moment you are comfortable with ALL emotion in your body, you are FREE.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I chose this question because HELL YES, of course I am facing challenge – ALWAYS (See? That’s honesty!)

Currently I am facing the challenge of learning how to Celebrate myself in ways that ACTUALLY support me. If I’m celebrating a financial milestone, is the “richest way” for me to Celebrate to spend lot’s of money on myself? Is that what I REALLY need? If so, then awesome! But most of the time, when I get quiet and I truly listen, I realize what I need most is quiet time with myself to just BE. No noise, no “to do list” – just time between me & me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://breathedegrees.com
• Instagram: @kirbyslager

Image Credits

Kinda Rayne Photography
Israel Palacio