Breathwork FAQs

Breathwork Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a relaxation class?

Not exactly.

Many breathing techniques are designed to slow the breath and activate the body's relaxation response. Conscious Connected Breathwork is different. During the active breathing phase, you'll likely feel challenged as your nervous system begins processing what's been held beneath the surface.

The relaxation comes afterwards.

Most people leave feeling lighter, calmer and deeply settled.

Is this the same as pranayama?

No.

Pranayama is part of the yogic tradition and includes many different breathing techniques designed for meditation, energy cultivation and spiritual practice.

Conscious Connected Breathwork is a different lineage with its own history, philosophy and purpose. Although both work with the breath, the experience and intention are quite different.

Is this like Holotropic Breathwork or Rebirthing?

They're close cousins.

These approaches share many similarities and often lead to comparable experiences. While each has its own history and methodology, they all recognize the breath as a powerful pathway into healing and expanded states of consciousness.

Will I have to talk about my trauma?

No. One of the beautiful things about breathwork is that healing doesn't always require words.

I do open up the room for some optional sharing afterwards. Some people want to talk afterwards. Others don't.

Both are completely normal.

What does it physically feel like?

Expect your body to feel different.

You may notice tingling, changes in temperature, lightness, heaviness, muscle tension or temporary cramping in the hands (called tetany). These are common experiences during this style of breathwork and usually resolve quickly as your breathing returns to normal.

Every body responds differently.

What if I cry?

Then we'll we will welcome it.

We celebrate tears because they’re such an honest human expression that we’ve been made to feel ashamed of.

Tears are one of the body's natural ways of releasing stress and emotion.

You might cry.

You might laugh.

You might do both in the same session.

Nothing that happens in the room will surprise or embarrass me.

What if nothing happens?

That's okay too. Not every session is dramatic.

Sometimes the shifts are immediate.

Sometimes they unfold quietly over the following days or weeks.

Healing isn't measured by how emotional a session looks.

How will I feel afterwards?

Most people leave feeling lighter, clearer and deeply connected to themselves.

You may also feel pleasantly tired or a little dreamy for a few hours afterwards. I recommend keeping the rest of your day relatively spacious if possible, drinking plenty of water, eating something nourishing, and giving yourself time to integrate the experience.

Is breathwork safe?

For most healthy people, yes.

However, this is an active therapeutic modality and isn't suitable for everyone. Please read the contraindications carefully and contact me if you're unsure whether this approach is appropriate for you.

Your safety will always come before the session.

I have PTSD. Is this suitable for me?

Often, yes—but it depends.

Many people with trauma find breathwork incredibly supportive because it allows the body to process experiences that are difficult to put into words.

At the same time, breathwork is powerful. If you're living with significant trauma or complex PTSD, we'll discuss whether this is the right place to begin or whether another approach would better support your nervous system first.

Do I need any experience?

None at all.

You don't need to know how to meditate.

You don't need to have done yoga.

You don't need to be "good" at breathing.

I'll guide you through everything.

What if I'm anxious before the session?

Almost everyone is.

Change asks something of us.

Feeling nervous doesn't mean you're making the wrong decision—it often means you're stepping into something new.

You've done hard things before.

You can do this too.

What should I do before my session?

Arrive hydrated, wear comfortable clothing, avoid a heavy meal for several hours beforehand, and try to give yourself a little space before and after the session.

You don't need to prepare emotionally.

Just bring yourself.

Will I be a hot mess afterwards?

Only if you arrived as one. 😉

Seriously though, most people leave feeling much more grounded than they expected.

If you've been processing significant emotional material, you may feel tender for a day or two. That's a normal part of integration, and I'll give you guidance on how to support yourself afterwards.

Can I do this at home?

Absolutely.

One of the things I love about Conscious Connected Breathwork is that once you've learned the technique safely, it becomes a lifelong resource.

Not every session needs to be deep or cathartic.

Sometimes twenty conscious minutes of breathing is exactly what your nervous system needs.

Why does something as simple as breathing work?

Because breathing isn't just about oxygen.

Your breath is one of the few functions in the body that is both automatic and under your conscious control. It forms a bridge between your body, your nervous system and your mind.

When we change the way we breathe, we change the way we experience ourselves.

Sometimes profound healing begins with something beautifully simple.

How many sessions will I need?

That depends on your goals.

Some people experience a profound shift after a single session.

Others choose to incorporate breathwork regularly as part of their ongoing healing journey.

We'll work together to find a pace that feels right for you.

What if I'm still not sure?

That's exactly what consultations are for.

You don't need to decide on your own.

We'll talk through your questions, discuss your goals, and decide together whether breathwork is the right fit for you right now.

"What if I'm afraid I'll lose control?"

This is probably the most common fear people have before their first session. The reality is that you're conscious the entire time. You're never unconscious or out of control. You can slow down, stop, speak, laugh, cry or take a break whenever you need to.

My role is to guide you, not push you. I will show you different ways to influence the intensity of the session and I will remind you throughout, my instruction is guidance only – you get to steer your session.  We work at the speed of trust, and your nervous system sets the pace.

Isn't doing This in a group... kind of weird?

Honestly?

A little.

At first.

Then something unexpected happens.

I keep my groups intentionally small (a maximum of 10 people), and the music is played loudly enough that you don't need to worry about everyone hearing your emotional journey.

Very quickly, people stop thinking about everyone else because they become immersed in their own experience.

But there's something else that happens too.

We weren't wounded entirely by ourselves, and healing doesn't always have to happen by ourselves either.

There is something profoundly human about breathing, feeling and healing alongside other people who have also chosen courage that day. Even if you never exchange more than a few words, many people tell me they leave feeling an unspoken connection with the group—as though they've shared something deeply meaningful together.

To me, these sessions often feel more like a modern ceremony than a class.

A space where we step away from the busyness of life, lay down our armor for a while, and remember what it feels like to be fully human in the company of others.

You come for your own healing.  You leave remembering that you're not carrying life alone.

How many people will be there?

My groups are small and I like it that way.

Healing asks us to soften.

That's much easier when we know we'll be seen, supported and never lost in a crowd.

My studio has the capacity for ten people which I find perfect because relationship matters.

What if I hate it?

Then you'll have a great story.

Seriously though, not every healing modality is for every person, and that's completely okay.

If breathwork turns out not to be your thing, you'll have spent a couple of hours trying something new, learning a little more about yourself, and probably discovering a fantastic playlist along the way.

I genuinely believe there's value in that.

My goal isn't to convince everyone that breathwork is the answer. My goal is to help you find what works for you. If this isn't your path, we'll celebrate your curiosity, chalk it up to experience, and keep looking for the one that is.

Sometimes healing is about finding the right fit.

Sometimes it's simply about being brave enough to try.

I’ve heard that you feeling tingly and your hands cramp… what’s with that?

Both are very common experiences, so if they happen, don't worry.

Many people notice tingling throughout their body during breathwork. I like to think of it as your aliveness becoming impossible to ignore.

Of course, there are physiological reasons for it too—your breathing pattern temporarily changes the chemistry of your body and nervous system—but alongside the science, it can simply feel like energy waking up in places you've forgotten were there.

Sometimes people's hands also cramp. The technical term is tetany, and while it can look dramatic, it very temporary and settles as your breathing returns to normal.

When you arrive, I'll explain exactly why it can happen and how we work with it. Sometimes it's simply your breathing pattern and I'll coach you to adjust it. Sometimes muscle tension or low magnesium may contribute, and yes—I keep magnesium on hand and am very happy to massage it into those little claws if needed.

And sometimes... I think there's something beautifully symbolic about it too.

Healing isn't always just an emotional process. Sometimes the body has its own way of showing us where we've been gripping tightly and there is some discomfort in letting go.

Whatever your experience, I'll be there with you the whole time. Nothing about it surprises me, and you're never expected to push through it alone.

I heard everyone screams at one point... is that true?

Sometimes!

Toward the end of the active breathing, I often invite the group into a moment of full expression. I'll strike the gong, and if it feels right for you, you're welcome to scream, cry, laugh, roar, pound the mat, or simply breathe deeply.

This isn't about performing or forcing anything.

It's about giving your body permission to express what it may have spent years holding back.

Some people let out a mighty warrior yell.

Some shed quiet tears.

Some laugh uncontrollably.

Some do absolutely nothing except lie there and breathe.

Every response is welcome.

And yes... many people tell me it's their favorite part of the session. There is something incredibly liberating about making a sound you've spent your whole life trying to suppress.

If the idea feels intense, don't worry. You are never required to join in. You're always in charge of your own experience, and your nervous system gets the final say. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is whisper. Sometimes it's to roar.  Both count.

For many of us, this isn't about finding our voice. It's about remembering we had one all along.

I heard there's a sound bath afterwards. Do I need to bring a bathing suit?

Definitely not – no water involved I promise.  

The only thing you might want to bring is an outfit suitable for travelling between dimensions… (just kidding— your comfortable clothes are perfect).

A sound bath has nothing to do with water and everything to do with vibration.  The term "sound bath" simply refers to being immersed in sound rather than water.

After the intensity of the breathwork, you'll simply lie back, get comfortable, and allow yourself to be immersed in the sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes and other therapeutic instruments.

Think of it as a chance for your nervous system to exhale.

The breathwork stirs things up.

The sound bath helps everything settle.

Some people drift into a deeply restful state. Others remain awake but feel a profound sense of peace. Some people notice physical sensations or emotions continuing to gently move through them.

There's nothing you need to do.

Nothing to achieve.

Just rest, receive and let your body integrate everything it has just experienced.

It's one of my favourite parts of the workshop, and for many people it's the perfect way to land gently back into the world after such a powerful journey.

Can you come to my event to facilitate breathwork?

Absolutely. I love bringing breathwork into communities, workplaces, retreats, wellness events, and private gatherings.

Whether you're planning something intimate or something larger, I'd love to hear what you have in mind. Get in touch by email or book a consultation, and we'll talk about your vision, your group, and whether breathwork is the right fit.

Every event is a little different, and I'm happy to tailor the experience to your people and your intentions.

If you're organizing an event centered around healing, community, wellbeing, or personal growth, there's a good chance we'll create something beautiful together.