What Is Breathwork, Anyway?
This is a fun topic :)
You breathe about 20,000 times a day. Most of those breaths happen without you noticing, usually while you’re answering emails, sitting in traffic or wondering if you left the stove on.
Breathwork is simply what happens when you start breathing on purpose.
So… What Is It?
Breathwork is an umbrella term for practices that use intentional breathing patterns. That might mean slowing your breath down, counting it, holding it gently, or paying close attention to how it moves through your body.
It’s been part of traditions like yoga and meditation for a very long time. These days, it’s popping up everywhere from yoga studios to office wellness programs, mostly because it’s simple, free and you can do it almost anywhere.
No mat, no gear and no special skills required. If you can breathe, you can do breathwork.
Why Do People Love It?
Everyone experiences it a little differently, but many people say breathwork helps them:
Feel calmer when life gets loud
Focus before a big meeting or conversation
Wind down at night
Reconnect with their body after a day spent in their head
Pause instead of react
There’s a reason “take a deep breath” is such classic advice. Slowing your breath is one of the simplest ways to tell your body it’s okay to relax.
Three Easy Techniques to Try
Start small. A minute or two is a good start :)
1. Belly Breathing: Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose and let your belly rise, then breathe out and let it fall. The hand on your chest should barely move. It’s a simple way to slow down.
2. Longer Exhales: Breathe in for a count of four, then out for a count of six. Repeat a few times. A longer exhale tends to feel naturally calming, which makes this a nice one before bed.
3. Box Breathing: Breathe in for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four. Picture tracing the sides of a square. It’s popular for staying steady under pressure.
A quick note: Go gently. If you ever feel dizzy or uncomfortable, return to normal breathing. And if you’re pregnant or have a heart or respiratory condition, check with your doctor before trying more intense styles.
What It’s Like With a Guide
Practicing on your own is great. Practicing with someone who knows what they’re doing is a whole different experience.
On Baja Soul Sanctuary, our retreat at Yandara in Baja California Sur, daily breathwork is led by Melissa of Liminal Flow. Melissa is a holistic-minded yoga teacher and massage therapist with a thoughtful approach that honors the connection between mind and body.
She leads our daily yoga, meditation and breathwork, creating space to slow down and become more present.
Picture it: a beachfront yoga pavilion, the sound of waves and nowhere you need to be. It’s hard to think of a better place to learn to breathe a little deeper.
For guests who want to go further, Melissa also offers optional one-on-one sessions for an additional fee, which can include breathwork alongside energy work, visualization and bodywork tailored to you.
Try It Right Now!
Before you close this tab, take three slow breaths. In through your nose, out a little longer than you breathed in.
That’s it. You just did breathwork.
Baja Soul Sanctuary: A Mindful Women’s Retreat
March 28 – April 3, 2027
Yandara, Baja California Sur, Mexico
-Sally with Waypoint
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