The most common thing I hear before someone’s first session is “I don’t really know what to expect.”
And I totally get it, breathwork can sound mysterious. In my first session, I had no idea what I was showing up for.
It starts with a chat
Every session starts with a chat. How are you, what’s been showing up this week, what’s sitting heavy. There’s no script or agenda you have to arrive with.
This part matters more than most people realise. It tells me where your body and mind are today, and it gives you a chance to arrive. Often something said in the first ten minutes becomes the thread we follow into the session.
If you’ve done talk therapy before, this will feel familiar. It’s also where we begin to separate what your mind thinks the issue is from what your body is actually holding. They’re often two different things.
Then you breathe
When you’re ready, you lie down, get comfortable, and I guide you into the breath. One simple technique, known as conscious connected breathing.
From here, the session is intuitive. I’m reading your breath, your body and what’s coming up, and adjusting as we go. You might feel tingling, warmth, heaviness, or nothing much at all. Some people cry. Some laugh. Some drift off somewhere else.
All of it is welcome, and there is no need to rationalise the process.
I work in a trauma-informed way, which means you’re always in control. You set the pace; you can slow down or stop at any time, and we only go as deep as your system is ready for.
Then we integrate
After the breathing, we come back slowly. We talk about what you noticed, what moved, and what wants attention next. This is where the experience becomes something you can carry into your life rather than a one-off event.
Many people tell me their mind feels quieter afterwards, like there’s more space in it. Give yourself a gentle evening, drink some water, and notice what’s different over the next few days.
Why one session is just the beginning
A single session can be powerful. But the patterns most of us carry took years to form, and some go back generations. They don’t release in one sitting.
Each session builds on the last. The first often brings relief and a glimpse of what’s possible. The ones that follow let us go deeper, into the stories and beliefs you’ve held for most of your life. It’s the same reason you wouldn’t go to the gym once and expect lasting results.
Is it for you?
If you’ve done the therapy, read the books, and understand your patterns but still feel stuck in the same place, this is likely for you. If you’re anxious, overwhelmed, or carrying something you can’t quite name, it may be too.
Let me know about any health conditions or medications beforehand.
Sessions are available in person and online.
If you’re curious, reach out. I'd love to chat.
John
