FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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There are many styles of breathwork out there today and it has become an umbrella term for a huge variety of breath 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 honouring 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 virtually or in person. Following a brief check-in, a client is 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 the client 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 client’s need but can range from a few minutes up to a half an 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 10-15minute integration period of rest is offered. This is often the time when the client will feel the results of all of the “work”, insights, clarity and a new perception of self may be experienced. The client is then prompted to return and there is 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 a virtual session, it is essential that you have a quiet space where you will not be disturbed 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 10 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. Any records of our sessions will be kept using JaneApp, a software that is compliant with all local privacy legislation and compliant with the Standard Codes of Practice across health professions.  Information will never be shared without explicit consent, transparency and solely at the request of a client. 

As this can be a very activating breath practice, any client 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 Recover, 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 endeavour and I will never stop learning how to better this. I am currently a student of a trauma focused training program 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#:~:text=Every%20Breathwork%20for%20Recovery%20practitioner,credentials%2C%20and%20prioritizing%20self%20care. 

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

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

Registered Breathwork Apprentice (Year 2) 

Breathwork for Recovery Certified Breathwork Clinician Program (800 hours)

David Elliott’s Healer Training Levels 1-5 (64 hours)

Registered Nurse 10+ years (It is important to note that while my title of RN and the experience within has allowed me to bring a unique perspective of trauma and healing to my breathwork spaces, there is no formal affiliation between my work as an RN and my work as a Breathwork Facilitator)

YES! If you feel called to share your experience I welcome it. You can either email me directly, or if you prefer to provide it anonymously, you made do so here (insert link).

If you have any concerns or questions about sessions that you are not comfortable discussing with me, please reach out to the Breathwork for Recovery’s founder, Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp at info@breathworkforrecovery.com