The Experience

What is Somatic Breathwork

The change you are searching for is in the work you are avoiding

Somatic Breathwork and your Nervous System

Somatic Breathwork is a simple yet powerful tool that taps into your nervous system - the electrical system of your body.

Your nervous system is designed to process and grow through stressful experiences. But if stress or trauma goes unresolved, over time it causes dysregulation of your nervous system.

When your nervous system is dysregulated, it creates a state of dis-ease within your body. Dis-Ease = Disease. It may show up in the form of anxiety, depression, chronic stress, physical pain, or illness. You may experience difficulties in your personal and professional life as a result.

Somatic breathwork is a transformative experience that can regulate your nervous system and completely change the way you feel. The state of your nervous system determines how you show up in life, so let’s take a deeper look into your nervous system.

Your nervous system operates in two states:

Sympathetic state (fight/flight/freeze) which activates during a threat or perceived danger and is meant to keep you safe
Parasympathetic state (reset/digest/relax) is when your body to repairs itself and rests

If your nervous system is designed to process stress and to help you grow… why are so many of us walking around feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, and dis-connected?

Primarily because your mind gets in the way of the natural processes of your body. Your body naturally processes stress through deep belly breathing, sound, and movement.

Animals in the wild (humans are animals living in an unnatural environment) regulate their nervous systems as well. The video below shows an Impala experiencing a traumatic, near death moment and then shaking off the stress so that it can reset its nervous system.

(see how the impala uses deep belly breaths to stimulate its Sympathetic Nervous system to complete the reset process by shaking uncontrollably before walking off)

Humans are designed to process stress in a similar way, but because we are taught to “Suck it Up” and that showing expression is a sign of weakness, instead of processing it we hold it inside and this is why most of us move through lives in a state of contraction with unregulated nervous systems.

This is why Somatic Breathwork is such a powerful tool when experienced in a safe environment with trained professionals. You will use your breath to safely bring your body into a sympathetic state so that you can release past experiences that are holding you back and then you will be guided into your parasympathetic state where you can complete the process of regulating your nervous system.

When you clear, you become clear.

Just taking one-hour to consciously use the breath to reset your nervous system can have transformational healing results. Moving us beyond that stuck feeling back into a state of flow.

Breathing consciously has numerous health benefits, and the great part is it won’t cause all the side effects you see in the commercials from medications. Somatic Breathwork is a healthy and safe way to help your body let go of the stress and traumas it’s been holding onto.

If you’re feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, anxiety, depression, repeating negative thoughts, anger, even unexplained physical pain, stagnant or stuck in your life, then Somatic Breathwork might be right for you.

Resources to Learn more about Somatic Breathwork

If you want to learn more about Somatic Breathwork, we highly encourage you to go deeper into the following resources:

What to Expect in a Session

Guided Journey: During a somatic breathwork session, you'll embark on a guided inward journey, tapping into the innate intelligence of your body. This journey is facilitated through soothing music, verbal cues, and gentle touch.
Session Dynamics: Sessions typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the specific session you choose. You'll lay down or sit up with your eyes closed, allowing for deep introspection and connection with yourself.
Breathwork Phases: The session unfolds in two distinct phases: first, you'll use your breath to gently activate your nervous system, releasing suppressed emotions, stress, and tension. In the second half, the focus shifts to calming the nervous system, fostering feelings of clarity, purpose, and other positive emotions.
Empowerment and Choice: Experience a profound shift as you release what's holding you back, feeling lighter and empowered to choose your emotional state.
Benefits: Somatic breathwork offers numerous benefits, including physical pain relief, reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced self-connection, nervous system regulation, relaxation, and increased mental clarity and calmness.
What to Bring: For your comfort, please bring a padded mat, light blanket, and small pillow.

*Remember, individual experiences may vary, and we encourage you to explore the practice further through multiple sessions to fully unlock its potential.

Your breath can completely change how you feel

Before a session…

Your body communicates through sensations. If you feel anxiety, depression, chronic stress, repeating thought patterns, physical pain, or stagnant in your life… These are each a sign from your body that you need a way to release the built-up pressure.

It’s common to feel resistance before your first session. Somatic breathwork is a deep internal experience with yourself. But the Exhale Team will be here to guide and support you through the entire process.

During a session….

Your body knows exactly how to heal itself, all you have to do is breathe. You will use the breath to clear out stress, blockages, and pressure by discharging it through your body.

By letting go of what’s holding you back, you create space to feel how you want to feel.

After a session….

You may feel much more connected to yourself. Many people express feeling physically lighter… more clear mentally… and more relaxed than they’ve ever felt.

We encourage you to take time for yourself to process your experience through journaling, time in nature, or quality time with yourself. The most important part of this work is how you integrate your experience into your daily life.