How to Maximize Your Breathwork Session: Tips for a Transformative Experience
Life can get busy, and sometimes it feels like there’s so much to prepare for. The good news is, you don’t have to do anything extraordinary to get the most out of your breathwork experience. Just showing up as you are is enough!
However, if you are someone who wants to do ALL THE THINGS and want to deepen your experience, we’ve put together a few tips to help you feel even more relaxed and present during your session.
1. Set and Setting: Preparing Your Mind Before You Arrive
Before you even step into the room, it's important to acknowledge that what happens in your day leading up to your session can influence your breathwork experience. If you’re feeling stressed, distracted, or unsettled, it might show up during the session. Take a few moments before you arrive to check in with yourself. Acknowledge what’s on your mind. If there is something specific you’d like to process, journaling can bring it to the forefront of your mind Remember, breathwork is about presence and letting go—so being aware of your state of mind before entering the space will help you process whatever comes up during the session.
If you arrive feeling distracted or anxious, that's okay! Just allow those feelings to be present without judgment. The breathwork space is a safe and supportive environment, and we will work through these feelings together. Your breath is a powerful tool to help clear and release anything that may be weighing you down.
2. Prepare the Body: Eat a Light Meal and Stay Hydrated
Eating light meal or snack a couple of hours before your session can be helpful. Heavy foods can make you feel sluggish or uncomfortable during the practice. Drink plenty of water helps your energy flow more easily and prepares the body for healing.
3. Bring Comfort Items
Comfort is key during breathwork. Bring items like a soft blanket and pillows to help you feel supported. If you have a tight low back, a second pillow for under your knees can take the pressure off. Chapstick in the mouth and nose can be helpful. These little touches will make sure you feel cozy and supported throughout your experience.
4. Clear Your Nose for Easier Breathing
A simple way to enhance your breathwork is by making sure your nose is clear. If you’re feeling congested, try using a saline spray or a neti pot before your session to help clear your nasal passages. This can make it easier to breathe deeply and comfortably during your practice. It’s not required, but it can be a helpful option if you want to get the most out of your session.
5. Release Expectations: Embrace the Evolving Journey of Breathwork
Each breathwork experience is a unique. Part of that process is releasing expectations. Some sessions might bring deep emotional release or intense visuals, while others might offer a peaceful, meditative state. The truth is, you never really know what you’re going to get, and that’s part of the magic. Think of it like Forrest Gump’s famous box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get, but each piece is worth savoring.
It's completely natural to want to know what to expect, but the beauty of breathwork lies in its ability to unfold naturally, without the need for control.
Instead of focusing on a specific outcome, simply let the experience unfold as it will. Allow yourself to be present with whatever arises, trusting that each session offers something valuable, even if it’s different from what you expected. The beauty of breathwork is in the mystery of what might emerge and the healing that comes with each new layer you uncover.
5. Bring a Snack and Plan Time to Journal After
After breathwork, you may feel deeply relaxed or even energetically revived. It’s common for your body to shift out of a fight or flight response during breathwork, which means your nervous system enters a state of rest and digest. As the panic fades, you may feel very hungry after a session, so it’s a good idea to bring a light snack. Nothing fancy. Fruit, nuts, or a small sandwich will help nourish your body.
In addition to nourishing yourself physically, take some quiet time afterward to process your experience. Breathwork can bring up powerful emotions, insights, and realizations, and giving yourself time to sit with these moments is essential. Take a few minutes to journal about what came up, what you felt, or any new perspectives you gained. Writing about your experience helps integrate your breathwork session into your everyday life and solidifies the shifts you’ve made during the process.
6. Notice and Release Thoughts: Breathwork as an Active Meditation
During some breathwork session, some people notice busy brains. This is perfectly normal! Rather than getting caught up in these thoughts, try to notice them without judgment and refocus your attention on your breath. Breathwork is an active meditation—meaning it requires you to actively engage in the process of noticing thoughts, releasing them and refocusing on the breath.
The more you practice this in breathwork, the more you can train yourself to build space between your thoughts…every day. As you practice this process of noticing and releasing, enter a deep state of meditation.
Now forget it ALL
Breathwork isn’t about preparation—it’s about presence. If you find yourself fixating on the perfect setup, ask yourself: Is this supporting me, or is it a distraction? The real work isn’t in the planning; it’s in the breathing. Drop the excuses. Let go of the need to control the experience. Just show up, take a breath, and see what happens. That’s where the real transformation begins.
We can’t wait to breathe with you!