Why Breathwork for Emotional Healing Feels So Personal
Many people today feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck. They try to keep up with life, but inside, something feels off. While some look to therapy or wellness tools, others turn to the body for answers. That’s where breathwork comes in.
It’s not about quick results or forcing change. It’s about pausing, breathing with intention, and letting the body release what it holds. Breathwork for emotional healing is gaining popularity because it helps people slow down and feel safe again.
Kyla Gagnon, Magnum Athlete at Magnum Nutraceuticals, knows this path well. She spent 16 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, competing in events and working with top brands. But after one breathwork session in 2019, her life changed.
She left fitness behind and shifted her focus to healing. She trained for two years with Neuma Somatics in Calgary, learning about trauma, breath, and body-based work.
Today, Kyla as a breathwork facilitator leads one-on-one and group sessions and runs the School of Breath Medicine. Her work helps people reconnect with themselves through breath, movement, and nervous system support.
In this article, you’ll learn how Kyla’s journey led her to this work, what breathwork looks like, and why it helps. We’ll explore how to start, what to expect, and how breathwork for emotional healing creates real and lasting change.
How Did Fitness Lead to a Career in Breathwork for Emotional Healing?
Kyla began her journey in fitness. She became a personal trainer at 22 and built a strong business. Fitness gave her a clear purpose.
She competed in body contests, worked with supplement brands, and appeared in magazines. Her early dreams came true, but something felt off.
Image Credits: Photo by Alexy Almond on Pexels
When Control Replaces Healing
At 20, Kyla lost her mother to brain cancer. That pain changed everything. She paused her life and later tried nursing, hoping to honor her mother. But it made her unhappy.
She returned to fitness because it gave her control. Strict routines helped her avoid deep feelings. Fitness kept her busy, but it also kept her disconnected.
She noticed how most conversations in the industry stayed on the surface. People focused only on looks. No one talked about emotions or how the body felt. That gap started to bother her.
Shifting Toward Breathwork for Emotional Healing
Kyla started teaching yoga. It felt different. Students began to feel more, not just move. She saw how emotions and the body could connect. This made her curious.
In 2019, she joined a breathwork session. She didn’t expect much. But during that 90-minute session, everything shifted. Years of buried emotions came up. She felt alive and clear for the first time in a long while.
Why She Chose Breathwork
- It helped her release deep emotional pain.
- It reconnected her with her body.
- It gave her a clear path forward.
She closed her fitness business and chose breathwork. It helped her heal. Now, she helps others do the same. Breath is simple, yet powerful. It brings us back to who we are.
How Breathwork for Emotional Healing Creates Calm
Most people don’t breathe with awareness. They take short, shallow breaths without thinking. Breathwork changes that. It helps your body shift from stress to calm by simply guiding your breath. One full inhale and exhale can soften your muscles and clear your mind.
Image Credits: Photo by Angelina Sarycheva on Unsplash
Why Breathing Deeper Matters
When life feels heavy or rushed, your body reacts. It stays tense. Your thoughts race. Breathwork gives your body a chance to slow down. This creates space between how you feel and how you respond.
It also helps bring emotions to the surface. When you breathe with focus, your body lets go of what it’s holding. That release can feel like relief, peace, or clarity.
Nature adds to this. Walking barefoot, touching plants, or sitting in sunlight calms the body even more. These simple moments remind you that you’re safe and present.
Why Training Matters in Breathwork for Emotional Healing
Not all breathwork is the same. A trained facilitator knows how to guide you safely. Good training includes:
- How breath affects your body
- Where emotions show up physically
- How to respond to signs of stress
- When breathwork may not be the best option
- How to refer you if deeper support is needed
Quick certifications don’t cover all of this. That’s why you should ask questions before joining any session.
Sometimes Rest Is Better
If you feel overwhelmed, breathwork may not always help right away. You might just need to sit quietly or go outside. A skilled guide will sense this and offer support that fits your state. Breathwork isn’t about pushing. It’s about creating space. And in that space, healing often begins.
How to Start Inner Work Through Breathwork for Emotional Healing
Real connection starts small. You don’t need a big event or a deep ceremony to begin. Sometimes, sitting with a few people at home and having phones put away can create that shift. The key is presence and care, not a perfect setup.
Image Credits: Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels
Ask Better Questions
Start with questions that open hearts. Instead of asking “What do you do?”, try asking:
- What lights you up right now?
- What’s something you’re looking forward to?
- What made you smile this week?
Let the person speak. Listen without interrupting. Don’t rush to share your own story. Just stay curious. If they give a short answer, ask a gentle follow-up like, “Tell me more about that.” It invites depth without pressure.
Try Small Group Sharing
You can create a safe space with friends, even if they’re not used to this. Just say, “I’m trying something different. Want to join me?” Be honest about what you’re hoping to feel. It helps others soften and engage.
In group breathwork sessions, shared emotion creates safety. When one person opens up, others follow. Everyone begins to feel less alone, and that connection becomes the real healing.
Keep the Practice Light and Consistent
Once or twice a month is enough for most people. That gives space to reflect and adjust. Breathwork, like any deep practice, needs balance. It’s not about how often you do it. It’s about how honest and present you are each time.
Stay in Your Lane
You can’t push someone to grow before they’re ready. Instead, show up as you are. Be open, clear, and kind. Some will meet you there. Some won’t. And that’s okay. Keep doing your work. That’s how real change begins.
What to Expect in Breathwork for Emotional Healing?
No two breathwork sessions feel the same. Some bring a strong emotional release. Others leave you deeply calm. Sometimes, you may not feel much during the session, but notice a shift after. Your body always knows what it needs and responds in its own time.
Image Credits: Photo by Elina Fairytale on Pexels
Common Physical and Emotional Responses
During breathwork, you may feel:
- Tingling in your hands or face
- Tears or yawning without sadness
- Warmth, chills, or sweating
- Muscle tension or shaking
- Strong emotions like joy, fear, or grief
- Deep stillness or quiet peace
These reactions are normal. Your body holds years of stress, emotion, and memory. Breath helps release it gently. You don’t need to explain every feeling. Just let it move through.
Let the Body Lead in Breathwork for Emotional Healing
Don’t go into a session expecting a breakdown or breakthrough. Trying to force something can block the process. Some people hope for a big emotional moment, but leave with calm instead. That’s not failure. That’s what their body needed.
Breathwork isn’t about chasing results. It’s about creating space for what’s ready to rise. Some sessions feel soft and slow. Others feel intense. Both are valid.
Finding a Safe Guide
When choosing a facilitator, watch for:
- Clear communication
- Respect for boundaries and consent
- No promises of healing or dramatic change
- A calm, grounded presence
Avoid anyone who claims they can fix you. You’re not broken. A good facilitator holds space and lets your body guide the session. You don’t need a big event to grow. Sometimes, the most healing thing is simply to breathe and feel safe doing it. Let it be that simple.
Conclusion
Breathwork for emotional healing helps you slow down, feel safe, and reconnect with yourself. It’s not about forcing emotions or chasing big results. It’s about creating space for whatever your body needs to release. Some sessions bring strong feelings.
Others bring calm. Both are part of the process. With regular practice, breathwork teaches you to listen to your body without judgment. It helps you notice tension, stress, or emotion before they build up. Over time, this builds self-trust and ease in your daily life.
Moreover, healing doesn’t always need a deep session. Sometimes, sitting still, breathing gently, or going outside is enough. What matters is that you keep showing up. One breath at a time. Working with a trained facilitator can help you feel more supported and safe.
They know how to guide you without pushing. A good session respects your pace and your limits. That said, the real work starts with you. Let your breath guide you. Let your body speak. And let each session meet you where you are.
FAQs
Can children or teens try breathwork for emotional healing?
Yes, but only with a trained facilitator who works with their age group. The approach should be gentle and age-appropriate.
How long does breathwork for emotional healing take to show results?
Some feel better after one session. Others notice changes over weeks. Everyone’s process is different.
Is breathwork for emotional healing safe during pregnancy?
Gentle breathwork may help, but always check with a healthcare provider and work with a skilled facilitator.
Can I combine breathwork for emotional healing with therapy or medication?
Yes. Many people use both. Just inform your therapist or doctor so they can support your journey.
How is breathwork for emotional healing different from meditation?
Meditation focuses on stillness. Breathwork uses active breathing to release stored tension and emotion.
