Safety
Trauma-informed. Always.
Breathwork is powerful medicine. That power demands respect, clear boundaries, and honest screening. Here is how we keep the practice safe — and who should seek modified or one-to-one care.
How we hold space
Every session at Earthly Life Breath is built on three principles: choice, predictability, and consent. You always know what is coming next. You always have permission to slow down, stop, or leave the room. The facilitator is trained to read nervous-system states and will never push you past your window of tolerance.
Trauma-informed does not mean trauma-avoidant. It means we meet the body where it is, using breath as a gentle entry point rather than a forced excavation. If something surfaces, you are not left alone with it. Grounding, somatic tracking, and co-regulation are woven into every session.
Before your first session you complete a confidential intake. We review contraindications, medications, and trauma history not to gatekeep, but to adapt the practice to your system. Some people belong in groups. Some belong in one-to-one care. The intake tells us which — and you are part of that conversation.
When to seek one-to-one care
Not everyone belongs in a group circle. And that is okay.
Group breathwork is beautiful, but it is not the right container for every body. If any of the following apply, we recommend starting with a private session where the pace, depth and interventions can be tailored to you:
- —Severe cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- —Uncontrolled epilepsy or seizure disorders
- —Detached retina, glaucoma, or recent eye surgery
- —First trimester of pregnancy
- —Recent surgery or acute physical injury
- —Active psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in acute phase
- —Severe asthma without inhaler present
- —Osteoporosis with risk of fracture
This list is not exhaustive. When in doubt, disclose everything in your intake and we will advise honestly. Your safety is the practice.
Who benefits
Breathwork is for most people — especially these ones.
- +Anxiety, stress and chronic tension
- +Depression and low mood
- +Trauma stored in the body (with disclosure)
- +Sleep problems, insomnia and sleep apnea
- +Grief, life transitions and emotional processing
- +Chronic pain with medical clearance
- +Heart conditions (with medical clearance and modified pacing)
- +Asthma (with inhaler present and adapted technique)
- +Suicidal ideation — only in one-to-one, with care coordination
- +War trauma, displacement and complex PTSD
- +Anyone seeking deeper self-awareness and embodiment
FAQ
Questions about safety.
What does trauma-informed breathwork mean?+
It means the facilitator is trained to recognise trauma responses, never forces depth, and always offers choice. You are in control of your breath, your body, and your level of participation at every moment. The room is held with predictability, clear boundaries, and the option to opt out without explanation.
What happens if I become overwhelmed during a session?+
You will be guided to slow the breath, return to nasal breathing, and ground through sensation. There is no pressure to 'push through.' A trauma-informed facilitator watches for signs of dissociation or hyperarousal and will offer grounding techniques, pause the music, or sit with you quietly until you feel safe again.
Should I tell you about my medical or trauma history beforehand?+
Yes — always. The intake form is confidential and reviewed before your first session. This is not to exclude you, but to adapt the practice: slower pacing, one-to-one instead of group, modified breathing ratios, or additional grounding tools. Full disclosure is how we keep breathwork safe.
Is breathwork safe during pregnancy?+
Not in the first trimester. In the second and third trimesters, some techniques are safe with modifications — but only in a one-to-one setting with a facilitator who has prenatal training. Please disclose your pregnancy in the intake so we can advise accordingly.
Can I do breathwork if I have asthma?+
Usually yes, with an inhaler present and a modified approach. Fast, deep connected breathing can trigger bronchospasm in some people, so we use slower patterns and monitor closely. Always disclose asthma in your intake.
What is the difference between group and one-to-one breathwork?+
Group sessions follow a general arc that works for most nervous systems. One-to-one sessions are tailored to your history, your capacity that day, and your specific goals. If you have a complex medical or trauma history, we may recommend starting one-to-one even if you later join groups.
Do you work with people in active trauma recovery?+
Yes — this is core to the practice. However, breathwork is complementary to therapy, not a replacement. If you are currently in treatment for PTSD, complex trauma or dissociative disorders, we coordinate with your therapist and pace the work to support, not destabilise, your recovery.
Are there any medications that interact with breathwork?+
Breathwork does not interact pharmacologically with medications, but some psychiatric medications blunt the intensity of the experience, which is neither good nor bad — just useful to know. Disclose all medications in your intake so the facilitator understands your baseline.
Still unsure?
Book a free 15-minute call.
We will review your history, answer your questions, and recommend the safest starting point — group, private, or a referral.