Breathwork is a powerful practice that uses intentional breathing techniques to regulate the nervous system, release emotional blockages, and promote mental and physical healing. It’s a holistic approach that integrates mind, body, and spirit, helping you to heal on all levels.

During a breathwork session, it’s common to experience a wide range of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sensations. You might feel tingling in your body, a sense of lightness or heaviness, or experience changes in temperature. Emotionally, breathwork can bring up feelings of joy, sadness, anger, or even deep peace. The experience is highly individual, and it’s important to allow whatever comes up to be processed naturally. It's also possible to enter altered states of consciousness, where you might feel more connected to your inner self, experience a heightened sense of awareness, or visions.

The frequency of breathwork practice depends on your goals and individual needs, but consistency is always key. For general well-being, incorporating breathwork into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can be highly beneficial. More intense sessions might be done once or twice a week, especially if you're working on deeper emotional or physical healing.

I recommend engaging in breathwork practices at least a few times a week. The LIVE sessions provide a more intensive experience, while your library of audio and video recordings allows you to practice at your own pace. For the best results, I suggest weekly or bi-weekly 1-on-1 sessions. Listen to your body and adjust the frequency as needed, ensuring you’re not pushing yourself too hard.

The key to effective breathwork is maintaining a steady, controlled breathing pattern that feels sustainable for your body. If you’re new to breathwork, start with guided sessions led by a trained facilitator or follow specific breathing exercises that are well-documented. Listen to your body and adjust your breathing as needed to stay comfortable. If you begin to feel lightheaded or overly fatigued, slow down your breath or take a break. Remember, breathwork is about tuning into your body, not forcing a specific outcome.

While breathwork is generally safe, certain individuals should exercise caution. People with severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or severe PTSD, those with cardiovascular issues like hypertension or heart disease, or anyone with a history of seizures should consult a healthcare professional before practicing breathwork. Additionally, individuals who are pregnant, have had recent surgeries, or suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma should approach breathwork with care and under the guidance of a qualified facilitator.

Breathwork can be safe during pregnancy, but it should be practiced with caution. Pregnant individuals should avoid intense breathwork techniques like holotropic or rebirthing breathwork, which can induce strong physical and emotional responses. Instead, opt for gentler techniques that use the natural breath and focus on relaxation and connecting with the breath. It’s crucial to work with a facilitator who has experience guiding pregnant individuals in breathwork to ensure the practice is both safe and beneficial.

It’s normal for emotions to arise during breathwork. This practice can help release pent-up feelings and unresolved traumas. If emotions come up, try to observe them without judgment and allow yourself to fully feel them. Breathwork creates a safe space for emotional release, and acknowledging these emotions is part of the healing process. If the emotions become overwhelming, it’s okay to pause, ground yourself, and return to your breath when you feel ready.

Breathwork can be beneficial for a variety of physical health conditions. It’s been shown to improve respiratory function, reduce blood pressure, and support overall cardiovascular health. Breathwork also promotes relaxation, which can be helpful for managing chronic pain and stress-related conditions. However, it should complement, not replace, medical treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have specific health concerns and are considering adding breathwork to your routine.

Yes, breathwork can be effectively combined with other healing modalities such as yoga, meditation, bodywork, and psychotherapy. In fact, I recommend it and will work with your care team to come up with an integrated approach! Combining breathwork with these practices can deepen your overall experience and support a more holistic approach to healing. For example, yoga enhances breath awareness and movement, while therapy can help you process emotions that surface during breathwork. Always inform your practitioners if you’re combining multiple modalities, so they can tailor the sessions to your needs.

If you experience discomfort during breathwork, the first step is to slow down or adjust your breath. Return to a natural breathing rhythm and focus on grounding yourself. If the discomfort persists, pause the practice and take a break. It’s important to listen to your body and not push through pain or intense discomfort. After the session, reflect on what might have caused the discomfort and consider consulting a breathwork facilitator for guidance. It is not abnormal for dis-ease to arise as we begin to traverse our inner landscape in new ways. Often times, this may point to an area of self in need of some attention or healing. Should you have any breathing challenges, always let your facilitator know.

To find a qualified breathwork facilitator, look for someone who has formal training and certification in breathwork techniques that align with your goals. Ideally, their training should be months long at a minimum and done through a trauma-informed lens in order to safely hold space for your journey. You'll want to check for credentials from recognized breathwork schools or organizations, make sure that they are insured, seek out continual training embracing a lifelong learning approach, and that your mentor practices and lives by what they preach.

Breathwork and energy work requires practitioners to not only be attuned to you, but embodied and integrated in their own learnings. A facilitator cannot take you to places they have not explored or are not willing to go into within themselves.  Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from trusted sources can also help you find a reputable facilitator. It’s important to feel comfortable with your facilitator, so don’t hesitate to ask about their experience, approach, and how they create a safe space for their clients.

If you’re new to breathwork, ROOT is a great starting point. If you’re ready to deepen your practice and start uncovering deeper layers of healing, BLOOM is for you. For those seeking full transformation and personalized support, FLOURISH is the ultimate choice.