The Three Kinds of Breathwork Experiences
This morning I was in conversation with Dr. Peter Litchfield, and we found ourselves circling back to a simple but powerful truth about life:
Life is about having meaningful experiences.
That is what makes all of the not-so-great moments worth it. It’s the chaos that teaches us how to see the beauty.
It reminded me of what we noticed years ago when running breathwork sessions. People tended to leave our sessions with one of three very different reactions:
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They loved it. Life-changing, eye-opening, deeply moving.
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They were confused. Unsure of what they felt or what it meant.
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They didn’t like it. Overwhelmed, uncomfortable, and often saying, “I don’t think I’ll do that again.”
That third group always troubled us. If breathwork left someone more stressed than supported, then the experience wasn’t quite meaningful… it was something they wanted to avoid.
That realization pushed us to go deeper into breathing and behavioral science with Peter.
Our mission became clear:
How do we create sessions where everyone has a learning experience worth carrying into life… whether it feels easy, confusing, or even uncomfortable in the moment?
That’s why our training is built the way it is. We want facilitators to guide in a way where no one walks away feeling dismissed or lost. Every client deserves a session that means something to them.
Because at the end of the day,
That’s what this human experience is really about... meaning.
🙏🏼 In Gratitude,
Angie (and Shane) Saunders
Featured Insight of the Week...
Why Breathwork Isn’t Always the Answer
Here’s something you don’t often hear from breathworker:
Breathing isn’t the fix for everything.
Yes, it’s a big lever.
It influences how we think, feel, and show up.
But if someone is dehydrated, eating poorly, or caught in constant stress, no amount of “just breathe better” will create lasting change.
We’ve seen this time and again.
Someone comes into a session hoping breathwork will solve it all.
And while they may feel a temporary shift, the underlying habits of sleep, hydration, posture, or stress management are what keep pulling them back into imbalance.
That’s why in our training, we teach facilitators to hold a wider lens.
Breathwork is powerful, but it’s not a magic wand.
Real support comes from helping people recognize the context of their breathing patterns… how daily choices, environments, and emotions all shape the way they breathe.
When you put it all together…
Awareness, lifestyle levers, and behavioral breathwork…
You give people a chance at meaningful, sustainable change.
Join the waitlist for the next Behavioral Breathwork Facilitator Training
Facilitator Recap of the Week...
A Facilitator’s Superpower: Awareness
One of the biggest takeaways from our certified facilitators is discovering that awareness itself is an intervention.
It is tempting to want to jump in with a tool, a breathing technique, or a clever explanation when someone is struggling. But the real shift often begins the moment you help someone notice what is already happening and why it’s happening.
When a client realizes,“Oh, I always hold my breath before I speak up in meetings” or “I didn’t know I was sighing every few minutes at work,”
something changes.
The pattern that once felt invisible is now exposed.
And with that awareness, space opens for a new choice.
They recognize that they are the one creating the pattern and, just as importantly, that they can change it.
That’s why we call awareness a facilitator’s superpower.
It requires presence, patience, and trust that the breath will reveal what needs attention.
Tools and techniques matter, but awareness is what makes them meaningful.
As facilitators, we practice slowing down and leading from observation rather than instruction. Again and again, we see that awareness not only builds trust with clients, it also builds trust in their own ability to guide.
Because before we can change a negative habit or pattern,
We first have to see it.
Learn how to confidently guide breathing sessions in a way that feels grounded, adaptable, and meaningful… for every client, in every session.
Join the waitlist for the next Behavioral Breathwork Facilitator Training
When you're ready...
Here are 3 ways we can support your growth with Behavioral Breathwork.
Begin your personal journey
🔗 Try Reflexive Breathing (FREE)
Experience the foundational practice we teach in all our programs.
It’s short, science-based, and surprisingly effective.
Go deeper with the science
🔗 Start the Breathing Science Course
The Breathing Science Course is our self-paced training for coaches, clinicians, and curious breathers ready to start working with clients through the lense of Behavioral Science.
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Join the professional path
🔗 Waitlist: Behavioral Breathwork Facilitator Training
If you’re ready to bring this work into your community and want to guide breathwork in a way that’s grounded, adaptable, and science-based...
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