Breathwork Events

As long as we have existed , there has been the need to understand that which is greater than us and why we are here. Across our earliest civilizations we used music and the breath as tools to help us commune with the dead, heal, reach higher states of consciousness, and connect with the divine. In our modern society which is largely devoid of opportunities to explore, grow, and evolve spiritually we must create those experiences for ourselves.

A Breathwork Journey is a powerful process. Think of it as a form of spiritual technology that combines ancient rhythms with a structured form of breathing. We can use Breathwork to flood our bodies with energy and oxygen, raise our vibrational levels, and enter into a higher transcendental state of being. In this state we can begin to heal and safely explore both our inner worlds and that which lies beyond the typical constraints of reality.

This type of Breathwork can be performed alone as part of one’s personal practice, but live Breathwork events are often more impactful. As each individual raises their vibrational level, the energy of the group as a whole rises. As the energy of the group builds, each individual is in turn elevated in a virtuous cycle of breath.

This type of Breathwork practice was originally developed in the 1960’s by a group of transpersonal psychologists. They worked with clients to help overcome trauma and release it from the body. In their work they utilized LSD and psilocybin to help put their clients in an elevated and more open state. After these drugs were made illegal, they developed a type of Breathwork (originally termed holotropic breathing) to bring clients to that same transendental state.

Holotropic Breathwork, although still widely practiced, fell out of favor due to the potential for negative side effects. Certain psychological conditions, namely psychosis and schizophrenia, did not lend themselves well to the practice. Holotropic Breathwork often resulted in hyper-ventilation which can trigger episodes of each.

By and large breathwork is extremely safe. When was the last time that you didn’t breathe?

That being said, we are going to be using our respiratory capacity to its fullest. If you have an uncontrolled heart or lung condition, you should not do this type of Breathwork without modification. Contraindications include cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, mental illness, severe asthma, or seizure disorders, among others.

Breathwork (especially a Holotropic style) has also been known cause participants to hyper-ventilate which can trigger episodes in those with a history of schizophrenia or psychosis. We have structured the breath in such a way as to cut down on the likelihood of hyperventilation and its associated side effects, but it is still a risk.

Breathwork Journeys will differ in terms of their content, intent, and ultimately where they take you. However, there is a certain structure to the music that is consistent, leading the participants through the 4 phases of a Breathwork Journey.

Induction: we begin with a grounding meditation to quiet the mind and relax the body. This typically takes the form of gongs, singing bowls, or chanting.
Separation: we then use sonic driving (rapid, repetitive, rhythmic beats) to accumulate energy and oxygen in the body and induce a trance-like, shamanic state.
Descent: this phase is calmer, generally more centering and numinous. We use this time to descend deep into our internal realms, explore their depths, and experience the extraordinary.
Return: having had whatever experience was open to and meant for us, we begin a gentle return to the body and waking consciousness.

After a Breathwork session you may feel like talking, but you may not. You may find yourself in a heightened vibrational state, but you may not. You may want to be around other people, but you may not. Wherever you 'land,' honor that space.

While the music guides and supports us on the Journey, the breath is what fuels the experience. It is simple yet profound. I describe it as having 4 components:

Mouth Breathing: during a breathwork we will be breathing in and out entirely through the mouth. It is simply a matter of volume. We can move more energy and oxygen through the mouth than we can through the nose.
Circular: as we breathe in and out through the mouth, there is no pause between cycles. One inhale leads into an exhale leads into the next inhale without pause. You can almost imaging using a bellows to stoke the flames of a fire as you breathe.
Diaphragmatic: put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. When you take a deep breath, where is the movement? When we do diaphragmatic breathing, only the lower hand moves. Breathing with your diaphragm requires less effort and draws air deep into the lungs. Imagine that you are breathing all the way down into your feet.
Focus on the Inhale: the only effort that you should be exerting during this practice is when you draw air into your body. The structure of your body with naturally push the breath out with little to no effort. This is the most important aspect of the breath because focusing on the inhale will help to keep participants from accidentally hyperventilating.

If you start to experience cramping in the hands, feet, or calves it is likely because you are hyperventilating. Don't fight it. Try to relax into the cramping and breathe normally. As your blood chemistry evens out the cramping will subside.

Every Breathwork session is different. It depends on the cycle of the moon, the energy in the room, your state of mind, and how well you stay with the breath. Over the past decade or so I have had a number of recurring experiences:

Sometimes you lay there breathing for 60-90 minutes wondering why nothing is happening but feeling very relaxed in the end.
Sometimes you have an emotional release. You may find yourself laughing or crying. You may know why, but you may not. Just go with it.
You may have a spiritual experience connecting with ancestors, entities, or loved ones who have passed.
Your body may start moving of its own accord, and you may spontaneously find yourself in yoga-like postures.
You may start performing energy work on yourself.
You may stop breathing for what feels like a really long time.

The best thing to do is have no expectation, stay with the breath, and follow the breath wherever it leads.

Join Us for Live Breathwork Events

We typically host our Breathwork events at Sports Chiropractic & Massage in Placitas, NM but sometimes at the space of a local organizer. If you are unable to join in person, please consider joining us online for the live event.

Interested in Hosting Breathwork Events?

We are seeking partners who would like to help bring Breathwork events into their community. Yoga studios are a natural match, but any large open space will do. You provide an open space with an interested audience, and we’ll provide the rest.

We have also performed extremely impactful Breathwork events under the stars. The sky is literally the limit.