If you’ve been exploring breathwork, you may have come across videos on the internet showing people screaming, crying, or appearing as if they are in a trance-like state. These dramatic portrayals can be unsettling, leaving some to wonder: Is this what happens to everyone in breathwork? Is it something to be afraid of?

As a highly experienced breathwork guide with 38 years of teaching, Denise has witnessed a vast range of responses to breathwork techniques. What you see online is not necessarily a true representation of what you will experience. In many cases, these videos are sensationalized or show the most extreme responses to breathwork, rather than the more common, gentle, and transformative experiences that most people have.

Why Do Some People Have Intense Emotional Releases?

When we were children, we didn’t always know how to process scary or overwhelming experiences. If something frightened us, hurt us, or made us feel unsafe, we often didn’t have the tools to work through those emotions. Instead, we learned to avoid or fear whatever or whoever caused us pain, pushing those emotions deep inside as a way to protect ourselves.

But as adults, many of those fears and beliefs may no longer be relevant to our present lives. The child version of us lacked the skills, knowledge, and perspective to process those experiences, but now we do. We have the ability to re-frame our past, offering compassion and understanding to that younger part of ourselves who did the best they could at the time. Instead of continuing to react on autopilot—repeating the same patterns of fear, avoidance, or anxiety—we can choose a new way of responding.

There are many tools available to help us heal and break free from old conditioning. Breathwork is one of these powerful tools, but it is not the only one. Through conscious breathing, we can access deeper awareness, release stored emotions, and create space for new ways of thinking and feeling. The important thing is to recognize that healing is possible and that we have more options now than we did as children.

Leonard Orr, a pioneer in modern breathwork, describes this process as part of completed energy cycles, which occur when we breathe in an unbroken rhythm for an extended period. He notes that, while some people may experience strong sensations or emotions, these cycles always lead to a state of deep peace and relaxation. Over time, as stored emotions are processed and released, the intensity of these responses often decreases.

Breathwork is a Safe and Personal Practice

If you are new to breathwork and feeling hesitant because of what you’ve seen online, know that you are in complete control of your experience. Breathwork is not about forcing emotions to surface or having intense reactions. It is a practice of connecting with yourself in a way that feels safe and natural.

A private session with Denise offers a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions with gentle guidance. You will never be pushed to express emotions in a way that feels unnatural to you.

If you are practicing breathwork alone with a guided meditation, you are equally in a safe space—your own. You can decide how deep you go, what you allow yourself to express, and what you choose to hold onto for another time. The beauty of breathwork is that it works with where you are, at your own pace.

One simple yet powerful technique that Leonard Orr teaches is Twenty Connected Breaths. This exercise consists of four sets of five breaths—four short breaths followed by one deep breath. Practicing this daily for just 30 seconds can help bring fresh life energy into your body, clear your mind, and begin to shift emotional energy without overwhelming the system. This approach ensures that breathwork remains safe and effective for everyone, whether they are new to the practice or experienced breathers.

The Transformative Benefits of Breathwork

In her 38 years of guiding breathwork, Denise has witnessed the profound benefits her clients experience—from deep calm and stress relief to navigating difficult patches in relationships, self-healing, and emotional resilience. Many have reported improved clarity, enhanced self-awareness, and a greater sense of connection to themselves and others. Breathwork is not just about managing stress; it is a tool for transformation, helping individuals move through life’s challenges with more grace and ease.

Over Time, Emotional Releases Become More Gentle

For those who do have strong emotional responses in breathwork, the intensity often decreases over time. As the body and mind gradually release stored emotions, the need for dramatic expressions lessens. Leonard Orr explains that regular breathwork supports the natural completion of energy cycles, leading to a deep sense of calm and inner clarity. Many people find that breathwork eventually becomes a peaceful, deeply nourishing practice that brings clarity and stillness.

Final Thoughts

Breathwork is not about forcing emotions out or having extreme reactions. It is about meeting yourself exactly where you are, with compassion and openness. If emotions arise, they are simply asking to be seen and released in a way that feels safe for you.

If you’ve been hesitant to try breathwork because of what you’ve seen online, I encourage you to approach it with curiosity rather than fear. Your experience will be your own, and it will unfold exactly as it needs to.

To make breathwork accessible to everyone, we offer a variety of downloadable guided meditations by donation or for free:

• Releasing Fears – Overcome fears of change, lack of control, the future, and rejection. This meditation helps you embrace empowerment and build resilience.
• Cord Cutting Process – Release old emotional entanglements and draining connections, allowing space for healing and personal freedom.
• The Breathwork Breath – A foundational 6-minute guided session that teaches the core breath used in all meditations.
• Inner Child Healing – A compassionate process that allows you to connect with, nurture, and heal your inner child.
• Life Purpose Meditation – Gain clarity on your path, align with your true calling, and live with passion and fulfillment.
• Manifestation Breathwork – Harness the power of your breath to release self-doubt, embrace confidence, and attract the life you desire.
• Heart Chakra Meditation – Open your heart to love, deepen emotional healing, and enhance self-discovery through breathwork.

All of these meditations are fully downloadable and designed to support your personal growth at your own pace. Since they are available by donation or for free, they are accessible to everyone, regardless of financial situation. Start your breathwork journey today and experience the power of conscious breathing. Your transformation begins with a single breath.

If you’re ready to explore breathwork in a supportive and guided way, consider joining a private session with Denise or downloading a meditation to begin your practice in the comfort of your own space. You are always in control of your journey.

With care and understanding,

Denise