Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the benefits of SOMA Breath®?
The core aim of SOMA Breath® is to retrain your breathing so that, at rest, you naturally take only about 3–4 breaths per minute. Most people average 10 or more breaths per minute, while those who are very ill or highly stressed may exceed 20. Slowing and optimizing your breathing in this way can help protect against disease, stabilize your emotions, and support a more effortless, “in-the-flow” state of being.
When emotional stress builds from the pressures of daily life, your body reacts as if it were under physical strain—like intense exercise. Your oxygen demand increases, and your breathing becomes faster and shallower, even though your body doesn’t actually require that much oxygen in that moment.
Think of your body like a fire. Just as a flame needs oxygen to burn, your body needs oxygen to produce energy. But too much oxygen makes the fire burn too intensely, leading to damage, while too little prevents it from burning at all. The key is maintaining the right balance.
In the same way that metal corrodes when exposed to oxygen, your body can experience a similar process known as oxidative stress. Managing oxygen intake is essential to reducing this stress. While antioxidants from food help counteract free radical damage, efficient breathing reduces the overall burden—meaning your body can function well with less demand for external support.
Ultimately, the goal of SOMA Breath® is to help you breathe less, handle stress more effectively, and still perform at a high level.
As you become more efficient in how your body uses oxygen, you also become more efficient at generating energy. This leads to improved health, greater strength, and a deeper sense of well-being.
Beyond the physical, breathwork can also uncover deeper layers of your mind. It can reveal subconscious patterns—beliefs, habits, and imprints formed over a lifetime that shape how you think and experience the world. Through guided breathing techniques combined with hypnotic suggestion—such as in The Awakening ritual—you can begin to reprogram these patterns, replacing them with more empowering beliefs and behaviors that support growth and freedom.
Your breath has the power to transform you… and ultimately, to set you free.
Is SOMA Breath® Dangerous?
SOMA Breath® techniques are generally very safe when practiced correctly and under the guidance of a certified SOMA Breath® instructor. However, breath retention practices—including The Awakening ritual—should be approached with care by individuals with severe high blood pressure or heart conditions. In addition, pregnant women and those who are menstruating are advised to avoid The Awakening practice.
Over-breathing, or hyperventilation, can disrupt the body’s balance and lead to respiratory alkalosis. For this reason, methods such as Rebirthing, Holotropic Breathwork, or Transformational Breath should be practiced cautiously, as they may introduce excessive oxygen into the bloodstream, potentially creating stress on the body and contributing to cellular damage.
In contrast, SOMA Breath® focuses on gentle, rhythmic breathing patterns combined with controlled breath retention. This approach helps avoid those risks by supporting balanced oxygen delivery—allowing oxygen to reach where it’s needed most without placing strain on the body or increasing oxidative stress.
How Do I Prepare for a SOMA Breath® PLUS Session?
Wear comfortable clothes. Yoga style clothing is perfect. All breathwork techniques should be done on an empty stomach. So either in the morning before breakfast after rehydrating with water, or at least 1-2 hrs before eating a full meal.