Transforming Lives Through the Power of Breathwork
An Interview with Mystic Mag
Recently I was asked to do an interview with Mystic Mag about how Breathing Journeys can transform lives with the power of breathwork. It was so great to have all these questions asked. Questions that I often think about but never manage to articulate well:
What inspired the founding of Breathing Journeys and what is its main mission?
What unique approaches or techniques set Breathing Journeys apart from other breathwork programs?
How do Breathing Journeys utilize breathwork to promote well-being and healing?
…and lots more…
Here’s a summary of what I came up with….
Our Mission
Today, the mission of Breathing Journeys is to help people connect to themselves, each other, and to the natural world. We currently live in a culture that is often destructive and anti-life. This destructive narrative is not just out there in society but within each of us. I believe breathwork can help resolve the traumas we carry, reconnect us with ourselves, with others, and ultimately, help us shed the conditioning and stories that no longer serve us. It’s about finding a better way to be and live in this world.
Many of us carry conditioning and trauma that can disconnect us from ourselves and others. By using breathwork, we aim to help people release these burdens, enabling them to feel more alive, connected, and comfortable in their own bodies.
Getting Connected to Who You Are
As we engage with breathwork, we may discover our own creative expression and understand more deeply why we are here. Many people have conditioning that limits their ability to express who they truly are, and breathwork can help undo this conditioning. This process allows for a more authentic self-expression and a sense of ease in being oneself.
Breathwork also helps us reconnect with our spiritual essence. It offers a direct experience of our connection to spirit, source, or God, in whatever terms resonate with our own personal beliefs. This connection provides a sense of security and peace, making us more resilient in our everyday lives. This reconnection is at the heart of what we do at Breathing Journeys.
Additionally, we see each individual’s journey as a spiritual path, where challenges are opportunities for growth. There’s nothing wrong with us; instead, it’s about shifting something in our life to promote growth and transformation.
Ensuring Safety
Ensuring safety is paramount in our practice. The approach we use at Breathing Journeys, both in one-one sessions and in the training of other facilitators is very much client-centered. This means we work at the client’s pace. Our method involves being attuned to where the client is at in their journey and what they are ready for. We don’t push clients beyond their comfort zone. Whether it’s simply becoming aware of their breath, helping them relax and ground themselves, or introducing more advanced techniques like conscious, connected breathing, we tailor the experience to their needs.
Our approach is very somatic, focusing on healing through the body. Much of our trauma and emotional challenges are stored in the body, and working somatically can be incredibly effective in addressing these issues. The client’s breath and psyche guide the process, and our role is to support them, giving them choices about how to engage in the session.
We also emphasize the importance of consent. Before starting any session, we explain the process and ensure that the client feels comfortable proceeding. If the session involves physical touch or other techniques, we always seek explicit permission.
We also can’t guarantee specific outcomes, as each person’s journey is unique. For example, someone might come to us with chronic physical pain and find significant relief, while others may not experience the same results. That’s why I aways encourage people to try breathwork through accessible means, such as free or low-cost group sessions, before committing to more in-depth work, unless of course they feel really drawn to work immediately in this way.
Ultimately, breathwork is an accessible modality—everyone can breathe, and our goal is to teach people how to use their breath to support their own well-being. While it may not be the perfect solution for everyone, it has the potential to be profoundly beneficial for many.
Training as a Breathwork Facilitator
The main upcoming event at Breathing Journeys is our Practitioner Training, which begins on September 19th. This is a six-month course running from September through March. We offer a highly personalized experience, with a maximum of 12 participants in each cohort. This allows for a close-knit, supportive environment throughout the training.
Participants benefit from a closed group format, meaning they work with the same group throughout the course, providing a strong sense of community and support. The training includes extensive mentoring and practical experience, as participants learn to work with clients individually and in groups, both online and in person.
The program is not only a professional development opportunity but also a profound personal journey. Many of our past trainees have described the experience as life-changing. If you are interested in pursuing breathwork as a career, integrating it into your community, or adding it to your existing practice as a counselor or therapist, we encourage you to explore this training further.
Find out more at: www.breathingjourneys.com/breathwork-training
You can read the full interview with John Paul on Mystic Mag here:
