Frequently Asked Questions

During Breathwork you are intentionally speeding up or slowing down your breath. By slowing down your breath and your exhale, you send signals to the body and brain that turn off the fight or flight response and stress hormones, and you are able to move into a state of rest. This signals safety and feelings of harmony and connection. This means that you are healing the body first and creating a state of homeostasis (balance) in the body; this state of homeostasis fosters safety and connection, which in turn sends signals to the brain of safety and connection.

By intentionally increasing your inhales and breath, you are also allowing more oxygen to enter your body, clearing out the CO2 and toxins, and allowing the body to regenerate itself and its cells. This promotes healthy organ function as well as a release of any old energy, patterns, or trauma that may be stuck in the body.

Both intentionally speeding up and slowing down the breath can be deeply healing and transformative; through the breath you are literally able to heal your own bodies and live in more of a state of peace and safety.

Breathwork has been around for centuries, originating from India, China, Japan, and Tibet. It has been used in yoga, as you may have heard of Breath of Fire, 4-7-8 breath, Alternate Nostril Breathing, and Deep Abdominal Breathing.

Other kinds of Breathwork include Holotropic Breathwork, Integral Breathwork, Rebirthing Breathwork, Reichian Breathwork, Shamanic Breathwork, and Vivation Breathwork, just to name a few.

Many forms of Breathwork have been practiced, and today, Breathwork has become mainstream in the Western world and is a powerful self-healing technique used to reduce anxiety, connect to self, transform, and live more joyful, peaceful and harmonious lives.

Yes, Breathwork is safe! You can’t overdose on Breathwork, though if you ever feel unsafe or too activated, please stop and go back to your normal breath.

That being said, there are some conditions (see list below) where you should consult a medical professional before doing Breathwork. If you are pregnant, I don’t recommend active breathing or holds. If you want to participate in slow breathing, or any Breathwork at all, please consult a medical professional before doing so.

*If you have or have had a history of the following:  angina, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, glaucoma, retinal detachment, osteoporosis, seizure disorders, recent injury or surgery, any condition for which you take regular medications, history of panic attacks, psychosis, or disturbances, severe untreated mental illness, family history of aneurysms, frequent dizziness or vertigo, or are currently pregnant, please contact a medical professional before engaging in Breathwork.

Breathwork can help with MANY things – whether you’re looking to calm your anxiety and reduce stress, have more connection with yourself, in your relationships, with source/God/the Universe/The Divine, release trauma and old patterns, and in general transform some part of your life, Breathwork is for you!

For a more complete list and explanation, please see the page “Key Benefits of Breathwork”

You can do either! Most often, Breathwork is done lying down, though in a shorter session you may do it sitting up. In general, laying down allows you to really go “deep” into the session, relax, and receive the full benefits.

Some sessions may be designed for sitting up, movement, or walking, and in those cases, I encourage you to follow the instructions.

There is not one “right” way to do Breathwork – most important is that you feel safe and do it in a safe place.

Here are some general guidelines on how to prepare for your Breathwork Session online, in-person, or a recorded session:

• If online, make sure you set up a space where you can lay down or be sitting and I can see you in the camera
• Have an empty or nearly empty stomach. A light meal is OK, but I don’t recommend eating a big or heavy meal beforehand.
• Eye mask if you want to block out the light
• A blanket – there are often temperature changes, so this can come in handy!
• Anything that helps you feel grounded – essential oils, incense, crystals or stones, etc.
• A journal – I will leave space at the end to share (if you feel comfortable!) or you’re welcome to journal any insights, thoughts, and ideas that come to you during the session
• An open heart and mind – every session is different depending on how you feel. Be open to what’s present for you at that very moment.

There isn’t a lot of information on participating in Breathwork during pregnancy, so I recommend you speak to your physician before you participate in Breathwork – I am not a medical professional and will always advise you to do this first!

If you do decide to participate in Breathwork, I strongly advise you not to do holds, which could cut off oxygen to your baby, or active breathing. Again, please contact a medical professional before participating in any Breathwork session.

KateLyn’s style of Breathwork is a combination of Shamanic, Holotropic, Rhythmic Breathing, and Pranayama. Some of the breathing patterns you may use are:

Rhythmic Breathing

• In the nose and out the nose.
• In the mouth and out the mouth.
• You can do these for various lengths and speeds.
• For example, in the nose for a count of 4 and out the mouth for a count of 4.
• You’ll do these for seconds to minutes, in and out, in and out, getting into a nice rhythm that feels really good.

Shamanic Breathwork (3 Part Breath)

• Breathe all in and out of your mouth. Take two inhales and one exhale. First inhale is into your stomach, and the next one into your chest, with one gentle exhale out the mouth.
• You can do this with an open mouth or as if you’re sucking in a straw.
• At first it can feel strange in the body and there may be resistance, though once you get into it it feels really nice and is really clearing.

Breaths Stemming from Pranayama

• Khabalabati (Breath of Fire)
  • Forcefully exhale through your nose and passively inhale through your nose. You’ll snap your stomach in as you exhale and let the inhale naturally enter.
  • Do this at a rapid pace that feels comfortable for you!
• Box Breath
  • Breathe in the nose for 4 counts.
  • Hold at the top for 4 counts.
  • Exhale out the mouth for 4 counts.
  • Hold at the bottom for 4 counts.
  • Repeat at least 5 times.
• 4/7/8
  • Breathe in the nose for 4 counts.
  • Hold at the top for 7 counts.
  • Exhale out the mouth for 8 counts.
  • Repeat and focus on the exhale!
• Alternate Nostril Breathing
  • Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale deeply through your left nostril.
  • Pause momentarily, then close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your right nostril.
  • Inhale again through the right, pause, and exhale through the left.
  • Continue for at least 5 rounds.

Holds

• Top Hold: Inhale and fill up your stomach and chest and hold the breath at the top.
• Bottom Hold: Exhale out all your air and hold the breath at the bottom.

Yes, Breathwork is safe for children, though I’d advise them to only participate in shorter practices to start. Breathwork can bring up a  lot of intense emotions which may be overwhelming for their system. Make sure there is someone, either a guardian, therapist, etc., who can help them process what comes up during a session.

I recommend you do a short session, 5-20 minutes, once or even twice a day. A longer session, 40-60 minutes, can be done once or twice a week. At a minimum, I recommend a longer session every two weeks in order to work through emotions and help your nervous system stay in a state of balance, rest, and self-regulation.

There are a variety of sensations that you may feel or experience in a Breathwork session. You may feel physical sensations, such as tingling, numbness in your fingertips, toes, or anywhere in your body, slight dizziness, and tetany (where your hands might feel stiff). Your body may change temperatures, very commonly becoming cold. You may feel any emotions, from fear to love, or release through crying, laughing, sounds, or movement. All of these are normal!

Breathwork is a highly personal experience, so please follow your body at all times, no matter what breath or pace I may be guiding. If you feel uncomfortable with the sensations or emotions at any time please slow down your breathing or go back to your 
normal breathing and they will subside. If you feel extreme dizziness, pain, unwell, or you will faint, immediately stop the Breathwork practice. If you continue to feel unwell, before you do your next session please contact a medical professional.