By Robyn Parets, Founder of New England Breathwork 

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re feeling called to transform your life in some way. Maybe you’re carrying around stress that just won’t budge, or perhaps you’re ready to clear away long-held trauma. 

Well, guess what? You’re in the right place because somatic breathwork might be the missing link in your healing journey.

After 22 years of teaching yoga, meditation and breathing practices, I can tell you that somatic breathwork has been the most powerful tool I’ve encountered for lasting and meaningful transformation. In fact, this modality is unlike anything you may have experienced in traditional yoga classes or meditation sessions. 

Read on to learn what I wish I knew when I first discovered this life-changing practice.

What is Somatic Breathwork?

Somatic breathwork is active, heart-opening work that can shift your entire being in ways you never imagined possible. This form of breathwork is intentionally designed to help you release stress and trauma. While there are many different breathing patterns that all fall under the umbrella of ‘somatic breathwork,’ most forms guide you through an active and repetitive breathing practice that is both simple and impactful. 

Let’s dig in deeper, shall we?

What if I told you that your breath holds the key to unlocking years of stored emotions, memories, and tension that your body has been carrying around? 

Well, that’s exactly what somatic breathwork is all about.

The word “somatic” simply means “of the body.” And your body is incredibly wise and holds memories that your mind might not even remember. 

For example, when you experience stress or overwhelming emotions, your body adapts by changing how you breathe. Your body also holds onto these long-held stories and traumas. Between tension stored in your tissues and resulting protective breathing patterns, this can leave you feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck.

Here’s where the magic happens: Through conscious, intentional breathing, you can actually communicate directly with your nervous system and begin to release what no longer serves you. It’s like having a conversation with your body in its own language—the breath.

What Happens During a Somatic Breathwork Session?

During a somatic breathwork session, you’ll engage in specific breathing techniques while staying aware of whatever sensations, emotions, or even visions might arise. 

When I lead 1:1 sessions or group workshops, I guide you through conscious connected breathing which entails inhaling and exhaling through the mouth in a particular pattern. By breathing in this way, you’ll create a rhythm that can shift your state of consciousness and open doorways to deep healing.

In essence, you will move out of your thinking mind and into your feeling heart.

What I love most about this work is that you don’t need to figure anything out with your mind. Your body already knows what it needs—I am just acting as your guide to allow you to create space for your natural healing intelligence to do its thing. 

Sometimes this means emotions move through you, sometimes you’ll receive clear insights or messages, and sometimes you’ll simply feel a lightness you haven’t experienced in years.

The beauty is in the surrender. Your breath is the way into your body, which becomes your best teacher. And trust me, your body has so much wisdom to share with you.

What’s the Difference Between Somatic Breathwork and Yogic Breathing (Pranayama)?

Great question! As someone who’s been teaching traditional pranayama for over two decades, I get asked this a lot, and honestly, understanding the difference changed everything for me.

Traditional pranayama—which literally means “restraint of the breath” or “control of your life force”—is an ancient practice that’s been around for thousands of years. It’s one of the eight limbs of yoga. Some forms of pranayama may be familiar to you as they are often practiced in yoga classes. For example, you may be aware of alternate nostril breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, Ujjayi breath and more —all designed to regulate your nervous system and prepare you for meditation and spiritual awakening.

In my yoga classes, I’ve taught techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Dirga pranayama (three-part breath) and various cooling breaths as well. 

Somatic breathwork, on the other hand, feels more like a heart-to-heart conversation with your soul. While it may draw from various breathing traditions, its primary focus is therapeutic healing. Somatic breathing is typically just one repetitive breathing pattern that allows you to listen to what your body needs in the moment.

Here’s what I’ve discovered in my own journey: Pranayama taught me how to work with my breath, but somatic breathwork taught me how to let my breath work through me. 

Sometimes somatic breathing patterns can be fluid and intuitive. And sometimes your breath wants to be deep and slow. Other times it wants to be more active and connected. The point is: You follow your body’s wisdom.

Another difference between the two forms of breathwork is in the approach to control versus surrender. 

Traditional yogic pranayama emphasizes disciplined control—you’re the conductor of your breath orchestra. Somatic breathwork is more about becoming an instrument and letting life breathe through you. Both are beautiful, but they serve different purposes on your healing journey.

In my experience, these two forms of pranayama complement each other. 

As a breathwork healer at New England Breathwork, the foundation I built through years of pranayama practice and teaching prepared me to go even deeper with somatic work. Now I often weave elements of both together, using the structure of traditional techniques as a launching pad for the more fluid, therapeutic somatic breathwork practice.

What are the Benefits of Somatic Breathwork?

Where do I even begin? The transformations I’ve witnessed—both in my own life and with the beautiful souls I work with—continue to amaze me every single day.

Let’s start with emotional healing, because this is where somatic breathwork truly shines. 

Unlike talk therapy, which primarily works with your thinking mind, somatic healing goes straight to where trauma actually lives—in your nervous system and body. 

I’ve watched people release stored tension and stories they didn’t even know they were still carrying, sometimes without having to relive these difficult experiences. Your body gets to speak its truth and let go in its own time, in its own way.

If you’re dealing with anxiety or chronic stress (and honestly, who isn’t these days?), this work can be absolutely life-changing. By consciously shifting your breathing, you’re literally rewiring your nervous system from fight-or-flight mode into a rest-and-restore state. I’ve had clients tell me they feel calmer after one session than they have felt in years.

Here’s something I find incredibly powerful: This practice helps you reconnect with your emotions. We often push down or ignore what we’re feeling, but breathwork creates this safe container where you can feel everything and let it move through you. You start trusting your emotional world again, and that changes everything about how you show up for yourself and in your relationships.

The physical benefits are pretty profound, too. People I work with often report reduced pain, improved sleep (finally!), increased energy, and an overall sense of vitality. Keep this in mind: When you’re breathing consciously and fully, you’re literally feeding every cell in your body with life force energy.

And can we talk about creativity and clarity? 

When you clear out all that emotional and energetic congestion, it’s like cleaning the windows of your soul. Suddenly you can see possibilities you never noticed before. Solutions appear out of nowhere. Your intuition gets louder than your anxiety. It’s like remembering who you really are underneath all the stress and conditioning that you’ve been carrying around for years.

Many people also experience profound spiritual awakenings—connections to something greater than themselves, experiences of unity and oneness, clear visions, and messages from guides or a higher power. While I never promise specific experiences, I’ve learned to trust that your soul knows exactly what you need to receive.

How to Find a Qualified Breathwork Healer or Facilitator

This is important, and I’m glad you’re asking! The breathwork field has exploded in recent years, which is wonderful. But, it also means there’s a wide range of training and experience levels out there. You deserve to work with someone who can hold safe, sacred space for your healing journey.

So here’s what I recommend when looking for a breathwork healer.

First, look for someone with both experience and comprehensive training. A qualified facilitator should have completed hundreds of hours of related instruction from reputable organizations, not just one weekend workshop. So, ask about their training background—where did they study, how long was their program, and what ongoing education are they committed to? I personally believe in continuous learning because this work is constantly evolving and there’s always more to learn and discover. 

A healer’s ability to hold space in a safe way is also absolutely essential. Since breathwork can bring up intense emotions and memories, your facilitator needs to understand how to create safety, recognize if someone is becoming overwhelmed, and provide appropriate support. Also, a skilled facilitator should clearly explain what to expect, discuss any contraindications, and make sure you feel completely comfortable before beginning a session or class. 

Along these lines, a knowledgeable facilitator will be the first one to refer you to other professionals if they feel you need further support. 

Here’s something else that’s really important to me: Your healer should be doing their own deep personal work. How can someone guide you through healing if they haven’t walked the path themselves? Ethical practitioners should have extensive personal experience with the modalities they offer and should be committed to their own ongoing growth and healing.

Trust Your Intuition When Choosing a Breathwork Healer 

I always encourage people to trust their intuition when choosing a facilitator. You should feel safe, seen, and supported. Something else to keep in mind: A good practitioner will welcome your questions about their training and approach—transparency is key.

Consider also asking friends, healers, or therapists for referrals. Professional organization directories with vetted healers, like Find Your Healers, can also be helpful resources for finding qualified practitioners.

Remember, you have every right to interview potential facilitators before committing to work with them. Ask about their experience, their approach, and how they handle difficult emotions that might arise.

Most importantly, listen to your heart. Your inner wisdom knows who feels right for you. If someone doesn’t feel like the right fit, that’s completely okay—keep looking until you find the right healer for you! Remember this: Your healing journey is sacred, and you deserve to work with a somatic breathwork healer who honors that truth. 

Are you ready to take that first conscious breath toward transformation?

About Robyn: Robyn Parets is the founder of New England Breathwork. She offers 1:1 breathwork/energy healing sessions, as well as workshops and retreats. Also the founder of Pretzel Kids yoga, Robyn began her healing journey 25 years ago and has been teaching yoga, pranayama and meditation for 22 years. You can learn more about Robyn and her healing journey here. Robyn is part of the Find Your Healers community of vetted healers.