Breathwork in NZ: What to Know Before Your First Session
Your grounded, no-BS guide to what breathwork really is, how it feels, and why it might change your life.
So… you’ve heard about breathwork.
Maybe your friend had a wild emotional release in a session.
Maybe you saw someone crying on Instagram with captions like “released years of trauma through my breath.”
Maybe you’re just burnt out and wondering, “Could something this simple actually help me?”
Welcome. You’re in the right place.
If you’re thinking about trying breathwork in New Zealand, this is everything I wish someone had told me before my first session.
What Even Is Breathwork?
At its core, breathwork is using your breath consciously to shift your physical, emotional, and energetic state.
It’s not just deep breathing to calm down (though that helps too).
I’m talking about activating the breath in specific rhythms and patterns to:
Regulate your nervous system
Release stored trauma or tension
Access altered states of consciousness
Clear stagnant energy
Feel more you
There are different styles - from gentle somatic breath to deep cathartic release work. What I guide is trauma-aware, body-honouring, and grounded in nervous system safety.
I’ll do another blog soon on the different types of breathwork.
What Breathwork Feels Like (The Real Talk)
Every session is different. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s cosmic.
But common sensations include:
Tingling or energy moving through the body (including tetany which is when the hands or arms can tense up - often called T-Rex hands or lobster claws and is safe and doesnt cause any longterm issues)
Emotional waves (tears, laughter, grief, rage - all welcome)
A deep sense of connection to your body or something bigger
Intuition and Insights surfacing
Peace… or stuff finally coming up
Your body knows what you’re ready for. And a good facilitator will support you and create as much safety for you as they can.
Finding the Right Facilitator in NZ
Not all breathwork is the same - and not all facilitators are trauma-informed.
Look for someone who:
Knows the nervous system
Has done an in-depth breathwork specific training
Holds non-judgmental space
Offers integration after the session
Doesn’t push you past your capacity
And I really want to emphasis going to a facilitator who has done a proper, well regarded breathwork training. Why? While breathwork is simple in that its using your breath in a specific way for a specific set of time - there is a lot of nuance to it. A well trained facilitator should know about how to properly explain the technique in depth and the many different things that may happen during a session including tetany so that you are informed and not confused during your session.
Breathwork, like many healing modalities, is an unregulated industry meaning there is no over-arching governing body that a facilitator must be registered with and the ethical guidelines and complaints process that goes along with it. So anyone can call themselves a breathworker without the credentials to back it up. And not all training programs are the same too…
If you're based in Aotearoa (or working online), I hold 1:1 and group sessions that blend breathwork with somatics, energy work, and intuitive coaching. And if you’re curious I did my training with Clarity Breathwork
What To Do Before Your First Session
Eat light: a big meal can make breathwork feel intense.
Wear comfy clothes: you’ll be lying down during the breathwork journey itself.
Come with curiosity: no expectations needed.
Bring water + a journal: you may want to jot things down after.
Tell your facilitator if you’re feeling nervous — seriously, we love clients to be open about how you’re feeling!
Breathwork Isn’t a Quick Fix — But It Is a Deep One
This isn’t just just about relaxing.
It’s about reconnecting with your body.
Releasing stuck emotions.
Reclaiming breath as a sacred, powerful tool that’s been with you your whole life.
Whether you’re working through trauma, burnout, or just feel disconnected - breathwork helps you come home to yourself.
