Why Trauma-Informed Training Matters in Breathwork

Trauma-informed training matters in breathwork because breathwork is powerful and often regarded as the bridge between the conscious and subconscious. As more people turn to breathwork for personal growth and well-being, it’s essential for facilitators to understand the profound impact it can have on both the body and mind.

A trauma-informed approach is not just an added bonus—it’s a fundamental necessity. Breathwork has the potential to unlock deeply buried emotions and memories, and without the right training, facilitators can inadvertently lead participants into harm rather than healing.

In this article, we’ll explore why trauma-informed training matters in breathwork, how trauma shows up in the body, and the risks of unskilled facilitation.

Introduction

Breathwork and the Body: A Bottom-Up Approach to Healing

One of the most compelling aspects of breathwork is that it works from the bottom up—focusing on the body’s innate wisdom to influence the mind. This contrasts with more conventional therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which take a top-down approach by trying to control the body through the mind.

Breathwork directly taps into the nervous system, allowing the body to process and release emotions that words alone can’t reach. This is particularly significant for those carrying trauma, as the body often holds onto distress long after the mind has rationalised or suppressed it.

Indigenous and animist traditions have long recognised the breath as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious, between the physical and spiritual worlds. These traditions have always understood that healing begins with the body. In contrast, modern wellness culture often romanticises breathwork as an instant fix, without acknowledging the deep, historical context or the risks involved when working with trauma.

What Does It Mean to Be Trauma-Informed?

Being trauma-informed means understanding how trauma lives in the body, not just focusing on the story or the event itself. Trauma is not just a memory—it’s an ongoing response that the body holds as protection. It may manifest as anxiety, hypervigilance, dissociation, or a host of other physical and emotional symptoms.

Trauma-informed breathwork acknowledges that it’s not about fixing something that is broken, but rather honoring what the body has been through and creating space for safe exploration. It’s about cultivating safety and agency in the breathwork space, rather than pushing for cathartic, intense emotional releases that might do more harm than good.

The Dangers of Non-Trauma-Informed Breathwork

Unfortunately, the wellness industry often promotes the idea that big emotions equal success—that if someone is having an intense, cathartic release, the breathwork is "working." This obsession with dramatic emotional breakthroughs can be incredibly harmful, especially for those carrying unresolved trauma.

Risks of Non-Trauma-Informed Breathwork

When breathwork is guided without trauma awareness, participants may experience:

  • Dissociation: Feeling detached from their body, as if they are floating or numb.

  • Flashbacks: Sudden, vivid memories of past trauma, leading to panic or fear.

  • Insomnia and Overthinking: Sleepless nights where the mind is racing, struggling to process the experience.

  • Panic Attacks and Anxiety: Heightened fear and a sense of being overwhelmed, even weeks after a session.

  • Aggression and Emotional Outbursts: Unprocessed emotions can emerge in unpredictable ways.

What is Trauma-Informed Breathwork

A trauma-informed approach to breathwork includes some key fundamental shifts in how breathwork is facilitated. It is important for breathwork facilitators to train, practice and understand the different approaches, because simply saying that their have a trauma-informed approach can create a false sense for potential participants, and can cause more harm and is unethical.

Trauma-informed care in breathwork looks like:

1. Shifting from Fixing to Honouring

A trauma-informed approach recognises that there is nothing to fix. Instead of seeing people as broken, it acknowledges that their responses are a natural reaction to pain and violation. Trauma-informed facilitators move away from the mindset of "fixing" and instead focus on supporting the body’s natural healing process.

This is a decolonial perspective on trauma—understanding that pain is not a sign of failure, but rather a signal that something needs attention and care. It’s about shifting from measuring health through productivity or the ability to "move on" to honoring the wisdom in the body’s responses.

2. Creating Agency

Trauma often leaves people feeling powerless and without control. When a breathwork session lacks agency and choice, it can inadvertently recreate dynamics of powerlessness. Trauma-informed facilitation prioritises giving the breather options and autonomy, allowing them to choose how to engage with their breath.

This means:

  • Offering alternative techniques if one feels too intense.

  • Being clear that all participation is optional and that taking breaks is encouraged.

  • Allowing participants to set their own pace rather than being guided into something they are not ready for.

3. Cultivating Trust and Safety in the Body

For people living with trauma, the body can feel like an unsafe place to be. Rather than feeling connected to their physical sensations, they may find themselves numbing out, dissociating, or seeking escapism through addictive habits like drinking or substance use. The idea of being present in the body can feel overwhelming and even terrifying.

In trauma-informed breathwork, the goal is to rebuild trust and safety within the body, but this process cannot be rushed. Going too deep too fast can trigger a re-traumatizing experience, leaving the person feeling even more disconnected than before. On the other hand, holding back when someone is ready to go deeper can also feel frustrating and invalidating.

There are two key ways people can betray their own bodies during breathwork:

  1. Doing too much when they are not ready—pushing themselves into intense sensations or emotions without preparation.

  2. Doing too little when they are ready—avoiding exploration out of fear or habit.

It’s challenging to navigate this balance, especially for those who have lost touch with their bodies through years of dissociation. Trauma-informed facilitation means moving slowly and cautiously, allowing the body to relearn safety at its own pace. This practice of temperance—like dipping a toe in, coming back, and gradually going deeper—is essential for sustainable healing.

In the capitalist wellness industry driven by productivity and fast results, there’s a tendency to push for breakthrough experiences. But for trauma-ed bodies, this push can be counterproductive and even harmful. The process requires patience and presence, which is why it often takes more time and resources for those carrying trauma. It’s important to recognise that healing cannot be rushed and that building trust within the body is a gradual process.

The focus should always be on guiding people to feel safe enough to feel—to become curious about physical and emotional sensations without overwhelming themselves. When done with caution and care, breathwork can become a pathway to reclaiming the body as a safe and grounded place to exist.

4. Accessibility for Trauma-ed Bodies

Accessibility in breathwork is not just about physical access or affordability—it’s about creating an environment where people with trauma feel welcomed, included, and understood. Too often, wellness spaces are designed with an assumption of stability and comfort, ignoring the reality that trauma is far more pervasive than we might think.

Trauma-informed care means normalizing the presence of trauma in the room, rather than treating it as an exception or a surprise. In the circles I work in, about 90% of clients have experienced trauma, because they seek me out as a trauma-informed practitioner. However, even in general wellness settings, it’s reasonable to estimate that at least 20% of people are carrying trauma. That means in any class, group, or workshop, there will almost certainly be individuals whose trauma responses are activated by small triggers.

Meeting Fundamental Needs First

People with trauma often worry about basic, practical concerns—like where the bathroom is, how long the session will last, or whether food will be available. These details might seem trivial to those without trauma, but not having clarity on these simple things can trigger anxiety and stress responses. Trauma-informed breathwork facilitators understand that acknowledging these needs upfront helps create a sense of safety and belonging.

Avoiding the “Shock and Awe” Reaction

When someone’s trauma shows up in a session, the worst response a facilitator can have is to act shocked or overly concerned. For example, if someone shares a difficult experience and the reaction from the facilitator is an exaggerated “Oh my GOD!”, it can make the person feel ashamed or abnormal. Trauma-informed care means responding calmly and without judgment. It means communicating that their experience is not extraordinary or shocking—it’s human.

Creating a Culture of Acceptance

People who live with trauma often internalise the belief that “there must be something wrong with me” if they react differently than others. This feeling of being broken or flawed can be reinforced by facilitators who overreact to trauma responses. Instead, trauma-informed practice involves responding with empathy and normalization.

One problematic example is the wellness instructor who pushes extreme practices, like long breath holds, insisting that everyone should be able to do it. In these cases, the goal often becomes proving the facilitator’s own prowess rather than genuinely holding space for participants. This not only risks re-traumatising individuals but also sends the message that struggling is a personal failure, rather than an indication that the practice itself might not be universally safe.

Normalising Trauma

Trauma is not an exception—it’s a part of the human experience. By acknowledging this reality without drama or judgment, we create a space where people don’t feel pressured to hide their pain or pretend they are okay. Trauma-informed breathwork facilitation means making it clear that it’s normal to feel uncomfortable, unsure, or even triggered during sessions, and that these experiences are met with understanding and support rather than surprise or shame.

When we normalise trauma responses as part of the collective human experience, we take away the stigma and isolation that so many people feel. This is essential for building truly inclusive and accessible wellness spaces where all bodies feel welcome—not just the ones that fit a model of calm and composure.

How to Find Trauma-Informed Breathwork Training

If you are considering becoming a breathwork facilitator, it’s crucial to choose a training program that prioritises trauma-informed care. Look for certifications from respected bodies like the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA) or the UK Breathwork Association, which emphasise ethical standards and trauma awareness.

The Inspire Breathwork Facilitator Training program is designed with these principles at its core. We teach facilitators how to approach breathwork responsibly and ethically from a decolonial, trauma-informed way, equipping you to hold space with care and awareness.

Final Thoughts on Trauma-Informed Breathwork

Breathwork can be a beautiful, profound practice—but only when facilitated with respect, safety, and understanding. Trauma-informed training is essential not only for the well-being of your clients but also to ensure that you, as a facilitator, are prepared to navigate complex emotional landscapes.

If you’re serious about becoming a breathwork facilitator, make sure your training prioritizes trauma-informed practices. It’s not just about certification—it’s about responsibility and integrity in every session you guide.

Want to learn more about trauma-informed breathwork? Get in touch with us today to discuss how our training can equip you to make a meaningful impact.