Rebirth Breathwork
Connected breathing, with trauma-sensitive guidance. Five pillars, one core: safety.
- 01 · The Mind
In everyday life, the mind is often full.
Thoughts plan, judge, remember. Under stress the breath often becomes shallower and faster – usually without us noticing.
- 02 · The Breath
A connected breath shifts the focus from thinking to feeling.
In Rebirth Breathwork the in-breath and out-breath flow into each other without a pause. The CO₂ level in the blood drops – tingling and warmth are typical first signs.
- 03 · The Heart
Heart and breath are closely linked.
On the in-breath the heart beats a little faster, on the out-breath a little slower. Intense breathing activates, slow breathing calms.
- 04 · The Body
Feelings show up in the body.
Trembling, tears, laughter or yawning may arise. In a safe space this is welcome – and it passes again.
- 05 · Integration
Afterwards: stillness.
With a calm breath the body settles into relaxation. In the integration we make sense together of what has come up.
Preliminary talk & safety
Every session begins with a conversation: How are you today? What are you bringing with you? Are there any contraindications, ongoing therapy, topics you don't want to touch (yet)? We agree on a stop signal and clarify whether and how touch is okay for you.
Trauma-sensitive here means: you stay in control. You can breathe more slowly, open your eyes or pause at any time. Safety isn't the frame around the work – it is the work.
The connected breath
Rebirthing was developed by Leonard Orr in the 1970s. At its heart is the connected breath: inhale and exhale flow into each other without a pause, usually through the mouth, with an active inhale and a relaxed exhale.
This lowers the carbon dioxide level in the blood. That briefly changes blood flow and the excitability of nerves – hence tingling, warmth or temporarily cramped hands. At the same time, a state beyond everyday thinking often arises: vivid, emotional, close to the body. The opposite of many breathing techniques that work with breath-holding.
Music, voice & touch
Music carries the breath journey and gives it arcs: build-up, intensity, spaciousness. Depending on the session, I accompany with voice, questions and – only by agreement – with bodywork: hands that offer support, or gentle pressure where tension shows up.
The goal isn't to “do” something, but to hold a space in which your system finds for itself what it needs.
Release & body awareness
Movement, trembling, crying, laughing, yawning: the body releases tension in its own way. Trauma research describes how distressing experiences can be stored not only as memories but also as bodily responses (e.g. van der Kolk, Levine, Ogden).
In a protected setting, this activation is allowed to come – and to go again. What matters is the experience: I can feel intensity and still be safe.
Integration
Stillness follows the breathing phase. Many people then experience deep calm, clarity or softness. We take time to sense into it, share and make sense of it – through meditation, writing or conversation.
Integration is the part that carries change. That's why we recommend several sessions over a few weeks and, if you're in therapy, taking your experiences there too.
Breathing, not holding
Many current breathing methods train CO₂ tolerance: holding the breath until the urge to breathe rises. Rebirth Breathwork takes the other path. Through connected breathing, the CO₂ level briefly drops. This opens an intense, embodied state in which feelings and memories can surface.
Both can be regulating – in different ways. In the studio we also use calm, slow breathing for arriving and for integration.
Questions about the method
Answers to the most common questions about Breathwork, meditation and Reiki. If your question isn't here, feel free to write to me.
Ask a questionWhat happens during a Breathwork session?
You are guided into a conscious breathing pattern to regulate your nervous system and become aware of physical and emotional tension. Along the way you reach deep meditative states and perceive your body. Depending on the session, I accompany your journey with bodywork (touch) and questions.
Possible reactions:
- Warmth, tingling, yawning, trembling
- Temporary cramping of the hands
- Emotions such as calm, joy, sadness, anger
- Release of pent-up emotions in the body
- Deep meditative states
- Experiences of unity, visual experiences, psychedelic states, states of bliss
- Release of traumatic tension in the body
- Lasting increase in presence and body awareness
Everything is welcome – without judgement.
Are there contraindications for Breathwork?
Yes. Not suitable for:
- severe cardiovascular conditions
- epilepsy
- pregnancy (depending on the method)
- acute mental health crises or taking antidepressants
If in doubt, please check with a doctor beforehand. If you're unsure → just get in touch.
Who are the Breathwork sessions for?
For people who want to reduce stress, strengthen their body awareness, find emotional calm, have more energy in everyday life or feel stuck in their lives. Breathwork is also suitable alongside therapeutic processes.
What should I bring to a Breathwork, meditation or Reiki session?
Comfortable clothing, water and, if you like, your own blanket. To support yourself, you can also bring personal items that give you strength (soft toys, lucky charms, etc.). Please remove all jewellery.
For online sessions you need a quiet, undisturbed room and a stable internet connection. For Reiki sessions, please avoid wearing black clothing if possible.
Ready for the next step?
I'll accompany you on your path.