FAQs

There are many styles of breathwork as its become an umbrella term for a wide variety of breathing techniques and practices.

The style that I have been trained in is a practice that involves a potentially activating 3-part cyclical breath done through the mouth, similar to a rebirthing style of breathwork. The lineage of the style of Breathwork that I am trained is unclear, but all efforts will be made to continue to work towards honoring the teachers, mentors and origins that have guided me along my journey this far. 

The magic (although there is also science to support the power of breathwork ☺ ) of this breath is that it can allow you to calm your brain, quiet the often incessant noise of the active mind and allow a more tangible connection to one’s body, spirit, emotions and mental well-being. Repeated sessions can allow for a totally new relationship with one’s nervous system, creating an entirely different perspective on life, old beliefs, traumas and self-perception. It is not always easy, and we each bring a unique life story. This practice may bring up a lot of emotions, memories and some of the deep stuff that can be very uncomfortable. By choosing to connect consciously to breath and allow this “stuff” to be integrated is where one can find truly transformative results.  

This breathwork is a very simple practice, accessible to beginners and expert breathers alike. We all breathe right? If you are interested in working on nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, emotional regulation, trauma integration, deeper connection to self through mind, body and/or spirit or simply looking to experience life through a different lens. This practice may be for you. 

These sessions can be done either in-person or online. Following a brief check-in, individuals are invited to lay down and make themselves comfortable and supported in a way that best serves them. This may include the use of certain items like blankets, pillows, an eye mask, a certain scent or item of meaning. I invite individuals to close their eyes if they wish and offer a gentle guided meditation with the aim of allowing the client to begin to feel present in the practice. A curated playlist of music is then started and the active portion (3-part breath) begins. The length of this portion will depend on the individual’s need, but can range from a few minutes up to a half hour. Throughout the active meditation, prompts or invitations to shake, stretch, move the body or vocalize may be provided. The active portion is then ended and a 10-15 minute integration period of rest is offered. This is often the time when individuals will feel the results of all of the “work”, insights, clarity and a new perception of self may be experienced. The individuals are then prompted to return to the present and we’ll close with an opportunity to share insights of the experience.  

This can be a very powerful practice and as such it is important to allow for the proper preparation and integration time afterwards. If it is an online session, it is essential that you have a quiet space where you will not be interrupted for the duration of the session. As it is done laying down, it is best to not eat a large or heavy meal prior, hydration is very important but for the same reason, drinking a lot of water just prior to a session can prove to be extremely distracting if you end up only thinking about having to use the bathroom. Wearing comfortable clothes and bringing a blanket can be very supportive. It is also important to ensure for the best results to not schedule a bunch of obligations right after your session. Allowing yourself time to integrate and reflect on anything that came up will allow you to receive more of the potential benefits. Creating time to journal, walk outside or rest are beautiful ways to nurture yourself with this practice. If you have any special requests or needs I will always do my best to accommodate them for either individual or group settings. 

Privacy and confidentiality are paramount for me. I have over 14 years experience working in healthcare and am very familiar with the strictest requirements both legally and ethically for maintaining client’s rights to privacy and confidentiality. Information will never be shared without explicit consent, transparency and solely at the request of an individual. 

As this can be a very activating breathing practice, any individual with a known history of seizures or epilepsy is not advised to engage without consulting a physician. Individuals who are pregnant, especially in their first trimester, are not advised to participate in the active breath portion but with consultation can be safe to breathe using an alternative, less activating, style of breath.   Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual safety is of utmost importance and all efforts will be made to accommodate any requests to increase the accessibility of this practice to your unique needs. 

Breathwork has exploded in popularity over the last few years, as such, there have been many private certifications being offered, unfortunately without any sort of regulation.

“Breathwork is an unregulated field which means that it is up to an individual to hold themselves accountable and take responsibility for making sure clients have the best care possible” (Breathwork for Recovery, Code of Ethics). 

Being able to witness the potential impact of this practice, both as a participant, student, and practitioner, has guided me to want to receive the most comprehensive training possible in order to create the safest spaces possible. This is a lifelong endeavor and I will never stop learning how to better this. I am in an ongoing training program that is trauma-focused and supervised by credentialed clinicians, offered by Breathwork for Recovery. 

I hold myself accountable by compliance with the Code of Ethics of BfR: https://www.breathworkforrecovery.com/services/code-of-ethics

And resonate with the guidelines for providing care, attending weekly supervisions, completing required education and prioritizing my own self-care. 

For a comprehensive review of the training please see all program information here: https://www.breathworkforrecovery.com/services/breathwork-certification

Breathwork for Recovery Certified Breathwork Clinician Program (1000-hours)

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor

YES! If you feel called to share your experience, I welcome that. You can either email me directly at therule62collective@gmail.com, or if you prefer to share anonymously please contact my supervisor: Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp at info@breathworkforrecovery.com