Somatic Breathwork
A body-led breathing practice that releases held tension, in Phoenix and online.
Somatic Breathwork and the Nervous System
Our surrender-based method is somatic at its core: intentional breathing patterns release stored physical and emotional tension and let the body process what it holds. Ryan McBurney has developed it over 8 years of guiding classes in Phoenix.
- Slow breathing: long, rhythmic breaths stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic system, shifting the body toward rest and repair.
- Faster connected breathing: releases holding patterns like tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, and shallow chest breathing. Grief, anger, anxiety, or joy can surface and pass without you needing to know why.
- Grounding: we close every session with grounding practices that help the nervous system settle after activation.
Somatic Breathwork vs Other Approaches
Somatic Breathwork
A trained Breathwork facilitator reads posture, muscle tension, and breathing pattern, then adjusts pacing, music, touch cues, and language live.Cathartic Breathwork
Uses faster, harder breathing to push for big releases. Without careful facilitation it risks overwhelm, hyperventilation, and emotional flooding.Pranayama (Yoga Breathing)
Yoga's breathing practices come from ancient India and are usually taught as technique in a group yoga class.Box Breathing / Tactical Breathing
Uses fixed counts (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) for acute stress and focus. Military units, athletes, and executives use it, but it is not built for emotional processing.Liquid Breathwork sits in the somatic column. The breather sets the pace and nothing is forced: we guide gentle surrender, never forced catharsis or screaming. For program comparisons, see Soma Breath, Holotropic Breathwork®, and Wim Hof®.
Who Is Somatic Breathwork For?
Some people come with chronic stress or burnout that talk therapy or time off has not settled. Trauma survivors working with a therapist use it to reach the body's stored responses without retelling the story. Yoga teachers, massage therapists, and coaches add it to their work, athletes use it for recovery, and plenty come with no specific issue at all.
Research supports Breathwork's effects on the autonomic nervous system and stress response. Results vary, and it is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.
Somatic Breathwork Facilitator Training
Ryan and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, BSN, teach it together, and the course covers contraindications, scope of practice, ethics, and business foundations. Payment plans are available.
These lessons teach the body-based skills a somatic Breathwork facilitator uses in every session.
- Nervous System States & Polyvagal Theory
- Trauma-Informed Facilitation
- Physical Touch: Consent & Techniques
- Lenses, Maps of Consciousness, Letting Go & Parts Work
- Intention Setting & Integration Prompts
Somatic Breathwork FAQ
What is Somatic Breathwork?
Somatic Breathwork is intentional breathing that works through physical sensation rather than thought to release held tension and help the nervous system settle. Somatic means body-focused.
Is Somatic Breathwork safe?
It is safe for most healthy adults working with a trained facilitator, who screens every participant before each session and monitors throughout. Contraindications include pregnancy, epilepsy, uncontrolled high blood pressure, cardiovascular instability, recent surgery, active psychosis, and certain respiratory conditions.
What is the difference between Somatic Breathwork and somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is a licensed clinical practice for trauma and mental health conditions. Breathwork facilitation is a wellness practice. The two can work side by side when each stays within its scope.
More reading lives on the Breathwork blog.