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Breathwork FAQ

Welcome to our FAQ page! Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions about breathwork and how it can transform your life. We’ve organized this page to make it easy to read, understand, and find what you're looking for. If you still have questions, please reach out to us!

1. What is Breathwork?

Breathwork is a practice that uses specific breathing techniques to access physical, mental, and emotional benefits. By consciously controlling your breath, you can access deep relaxation, process emotions, and even enter altered states of consciousness. Techniques like conscious connected breathing and shamanic breath work help activate specific neural pathways, leading to a heightened state where transformation can occur.

 

2. What Does Breathwork Help With?

Breathwork is a versatile tool that supports a wide range of personal goals and health benefits, including:

  • Releasing stored trauma and emotional blocks
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Enhancing mental clarity and focus
  • Improving sleep and relaxation
  • Strengthening self-awareness and mindfulness
  • Boosting mood and a sense of well-being
  • Supporting physical healing and relaxation
  • Increasing confidence and energy
  • Detoxing the body

3. What is the Science Behind Breathwork?

Research shows that breath work activates the autonomic nervous system, particularly engaging the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) and sympathetic (fight-or-flight) responses. Conscious connected breathing and shamanic breath work allow you to access an "activated" state, where you can release suppressed emotions, gain insights, and achieve a deep sense of calm and connected. This state is achieved by stimulating areas in the brain that regulate emotion and stress, often triggering the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals.

4. Who is Breathwork For?

Breathwork is for anyone seeking personal growth, emotional release, or a more balanced state of mind and body. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, more energy, happiness, process difficult emotions, or just feel more connected to yourself, breath work can be an excellent practice. However, certain health conditions may require special considerations (see contraindications below).

5. What is Integration, and Why is it Important?

Integration refers to the process of absorbing and making sense of the experiences and insights you gain during a breathwork session. Since breathwork can bring up powerful emotions and memories, integration is essential to grounding these experiences. We recommend activities like journaling, meditation, gentle movement, and support from a professional or a trusted community to help make sense of the experience. Proper integration ensures you get the most out of each session and can apply the benefits to your daily life.

At Ahwaken we understand the importance of integration in breathwork . This essential phase ensures that the positive changes you’ve made during breathwork stick, supporting your well-being and helping you thrive long after the session ends. Following your transformative journey, you’ll receive a personalized integration phone call 2–4 days after your journey. During this call, the facilitator will help you process any emotions or insights that emerge and share customized breathing exercises to support your ongoing well-being long after the breathwork journey ends.

6. What Can I Feel During a Breathwork Session?

During a session, people often experience a range of sensations, including:

  • Tingling (or "tetany") in hands, feet, or face
  • Muscle cramps in arms or legs
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Intense emotional release (like crying or laughing)
  • Changes in body temperature (feeling warm or cold)
  • Deep relaxation and calm

These sensations are temporary and typically subside by the end of the session.

7. Are There Any Contraindications for Breathwork?

Yes. Breath work may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions, including:

  • Severe heart or respiratory issues
  • History of aneurysms
  • Epilepsy or history of seizures
  • High blood pressure (uncontrolled)
  • Recent surgery or physical injury
  • Severe mental illness (like schizophrenia)
  • Pregnancy (due to certain intense breathing practices)

If you have any concerns or medical conditions, please consult with your healthcare provider before participating in a session.

8. How Often Should I Do Breathwork?

Frequency varies depending on your personal goals and response to breath work. Many people find benefits from doing breath work weekly or biweekly. It’s important to listen to your body and discuss a plan with your facilitator to avoid overstimulation and ensure proper integration.

9. Is Breathwork Safe?

Yes, breath work is safe when practiced with trained facilitators and appropriate guidelines. Always inform your facilitator about any medical conditions to make the experience as safe as possible.

10. What Should I Do to Prepare for a Breathwork Session?

To get the most out of your session:

  • Avoid eating 2-3 hours before
  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • No caffeine or alcohol on the day of
  • Bring a yoga mat, water bottle, journal and pen to write down any insights afterward
  • Set an intention for the session

11. How Long Does a Session Last?

Breath work sessions typically last between 120 minutes, including time for preparation and post-session integration.

12. Will Breathwork Change My Life?

Breathwork can be a life-changing practice for many people! It opens doors to self-discovery, emotional release, and personal transformation. Your experience depends on your commitment to the process and how open you are to exploring and integrating what comes up.

13. Is My Information Confidential?

Yes, absolutely. At Awaken Breath work, we strongly value and prioritize client confidentiality. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us, and all personal information and experiences shared during sessions are kept strictly confidential. We create a safe, supportive environment so that you can explore your breathwork journey with full peace of mind. Only with your explicit consent would any details be shared, and even then, only if required for specific purposes (such as collaborative support with other professionals at your request). Your trust is our top priority.

14. Who Should Consider Private Breathwork Sessions?

Private breath work sessions are ideal for anyone seeking a personalized, focused experience. These sessions are especially beneficial if you:

  • Prefer a tailored approach to your goals and needs
  • Want to work on specific personal challenges or traumas in a confidential setting
  • Are new to breath work and would like more guidance
  • Feel more comfortable in a one-on-one environment
  • Have unique scheduling needs that make group sessions challenging

Private sessions provide a safe space to dive deeper, with a facilitator focused solely on your individual journey, allowing for more customized support and integration.

 

15. What Should I Do After a Breathwork Journey?

After a breath work session, it’s essential to ground and care for your body:

  1. Ground Yourself: Meditate, walk barefoot in nature, or visit the ocean. A small, salty snack can also help.

  2. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to aid detox. Avoid caffeine to let your body integrate naturally.

  3. Skip Pain Meds: If you feel a headache, avoid painkillers like Advil, Tylenol to allow natural detoxification.

  4. Reflect & Journal: Capture any insights or emotions for deeper integration.

  5. Book Your Integration Call: Schedule a call 2-4 days post-session to process your experience and gain support.

  6. Rest: Give yourself time to recharge in a calm environment.

  7. Honor Any Emotions: It is common for emotions to surface after a breath work journey, it's important to take time and honor these emotions as they come up.

This will help you fully benefit from your journey.

 

16. What is Grounding and Why Is It Important?

Grounding is a practice that reconnects you to your body and the present moment, especially after experiences like breath work that can elevate your energy and shift your mental state. Grounding helps you feel stable, clear, and fully “back” in your body, allowing you to process and integrate the experience. Here are some effective grounding methods to help you after a breath work session:
 
1. Meditation

  • Sit quietly with your eyes closed, focusing on slow, deep breaths. Imagine roots growing from the base of your spine or the soles of your feet, anchoring you deeply into the earth. This visualization helps stabilize and center you.

2. Connect with Nature

  • Barefoot on Earth: Walking barefoot on grass, dirt, or sand, also known as "earthing," connects you directly with the Earth's energy, which can be recharging and grounding.

  • Ocean Connection: If you’re near water, stand by the shore and let the saltwater touch your feet. The ocean’s ions can help balance and calm your nervous system, grounding any heightened energy from the breath work.

3. Salt Intake

  • Eating something salty, like a handful of nuts or veggie sticks with sea salt, helps replenish minerals and stabilizes your energy. Salt is grounding and can bring you fully back to the present moment.

4. Rooted Foods

  • Consuming root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, or beets, can be very grounding. These foods are dense and have an earthy quality, helping you reconnect with your body.

5. Gentle Movement

  • Light stretching or a slow, mindful walk is a simple way to reconnect with your body. Focus on the feeling of your feet with each step, or consciously stretch each part of your body, noticing any lingering sensations and bringing yourself back to the physical present.

6. Belly Breathing

  • Place your hands on your stomach and take slow, deep belly breaths. Feel your breath as it moves in and out, which calms the mind and brings you back into a grounded, centered state do this for a min of 7 minutes.

Using these grounding techniques can ease your transition back into daily life after breath work, helping you hold onto the benefits of the session with clarity and stability.
 

16. JOURNAL PROMPTS

Post-Journey Reflection Prompts

  1. What emotions, memories, or sensations came up during my breath work session?

    Describe how each felt in your body and mind. Allow yourself to observe without judgment.

  2. What insights or realizations did I have during the journey?

    Reflect on how these insights connect to current patterns or behaviors in your life.

  3. What positive qualities surfaced during my breath work?
    Consider qualities like resilience, compassion, or strength. How might I nurture these in my everyday life?

  4. Did I experience any resistance or discomfort?
    Explore what these moments might be showing you. Resistance can reveal areas needing gentle attention or growth.

  5. What am I most grateful for from this experience?
    Gratitude solidifies the positive aspects of your journey, helping you appreciate the growth.

Daily/Weekly Integration Prompts (Pick at least 4 to answer)

  1. How do I feel emotionally and physically today?
    Take a few moments to check in with yourself. Allow space for whatever arises, and practice acceptance.

  2. What is one small, actionable step I can take today that aligns with the insights from my breath work?
    This can be anything from practicing self-compassion to setting a boundary.

  3. How can I practice mindfulness in a small way today?
    This might include focusing on breathing, noticing nature, or being fully present in a conversation.

  4. What recurring thoughts or feelings have I noticed this week?
    Explore if this thought connects to patterns revealed in your breath work. Observe how you respond to it.

  5. When faced with a difficult emotion, how can I be compassionate with myself?
    Describe a compassionate response to self-doubt, frustration, or sadness that you might apply in real time.

  6. How do I handle urges to react impulsively, especially under stress?
    Practicing awareness of triggers can build emotional regulation, helping you respond rather than react.

  7. What self-care practices are supporting my well-being this week?
    Reflect on routines that bring calm, joy, or resilience. Reinforce these practices to maintain a positive impact.

  8. Am I honoring my boundaries and needs?
    Reflect on situations where you felt comfortable or uncomfortable. What can you learn about your needs?

Prompts for Sustaining Insights Long-Term

  1. How have the insights from my breath work journey influenced my actions or outlook?
    Identify specific changes and celebrate progress, no matter how small.

  2. What past patterns have I noticed shifting?
    Reflect on any old behaviors or mindsets that seem to be fading, and acknowledge this growth.

  3. How can I continue deepening my relationship with myself?
    Describe one new way you can nurture your inner world, like trying a new form of self-expression or setting aside quiet time.

  4. Who in my life supports my healing and growth?
    Acknowledge supportive relationships. Consider ways to strengthen these connections and communicate your journey with trusted others.

Need More Help?

If you have additional questions or are unsure about breath work, feel free to contact us. Our team is here to support you every step of the way on your journey to wellness.