Somatic Breathwork

Offering sessions online for all and in-person sessions for clients in the DMV area

Purple wildflowers in a golden wheat field beneath a clear blue sky, evoking Somatic Breathwork, mindfulness, stress reduction, and emotional healing. Image by Artem Balashevsky on Pexels.

What Is Somatic Breathwork?

Somatic Breathwork is a holistic practice rooted in the understanding that stress, trauma, anxiety, and suppressed emotions often are stored in the body. By engaging in intentional breathwork techniques and moving beyond surface-level breathing, you tap into your own breath to reconnect to your true self and:

  • Regulate the autonomic nervous system and optimize bodily functions

  • Release stored stress hormones for significant reduction in chronic pain and anxiety

  • Access deeper levels of conscious awareness and heightened awareness of physical sensations

  • Activate your innate ability for emotional healing, recognizing and processing emotional patterns, and experiencing cathartic emotional releases

Whether you’re new to breathwork or have explored other types of breathwork, Somatic Breathwork offers a potent starting point for reconnecting with your true self.

Benefits of Somatic Breathwork

Even after just one breathwork session, you may notice improvements across mind, body, and spirit. Key benefits of Somatic Breathwork may include:

  • Stress Reduction & Stress Release

    Calm racing thoughts, reduce panic attacks, and lower cortisol for a significant reduction in anxiety and stress

  • Mental Clarity & Energy Levels

    Experience sharper focus, increased concentration, and more sustained vitality in your daily life

  • Physical Health & Lung Capacity

    Improved lung capacity, optimized respiratory rate, and strengthened overall physical health

  • Emotional Health & Emotional Response

    Work with emotional patterns to increase emotional capacity and resilience

  • Personal Growth

    Leverage insights from your practice for ongoing personal growth and self-discovery

  • Inner Peace & Mental Well-Being

    Build capacity to handle a wide range of health conditions

  • Pain Relief

    Release trauma-held tension in muscles and fascia for significant reduction in chronic pain

  • Increase Resilience

    Build resilience to handle a wide range of life stressors and complex realities

Your First Breathwork Session: A Starting Point

  • Pre-Session Check-In (10-15 min)

    During this phase, Michelle reviews any relevant health conditions, describes the breathing technique and format, and helps you set clear intentions for your breathwork journey.

  • Guided Breathwork Journey (30-90 min depending on format)

    Michelle leads you through a two-part breathing journey to help you release stored tension, access emotions and buried insights, and reconnect with your self. The first half involves active, rhythmic breathing to activate the sympathetic nervous system. The second half changes to a different breath technique to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Music, verbal guidance, and, at times, optional therapeutic touch help you throughout the process.

  • Integration & Reflection (5-40 min depending on format)

    Reflect on insights from your journey, ask any questions, and plan how to incorporate what you have experienced or learned.

Reach Out for a Breathwork Session

Somatic Breathwork Session Options & Pricing

  • Mini Breathwork Journey - 45 minute Session - $210

  • Full Breathwork Journey - 90 minute Session - $420

  • Extended Breathwork Journey - 135 minute Session - $630

Breathwork payments may be made by Zelle, PayPal, cash, or check. Michelle offers a limited number of sliding fee scale appointments. If financial concerns are a barrier, please reach out to discuss options.

Somatic Breathwork FAQs

  • Somatic Breathwork can be helpful if you:

    • Struggle with stress or anxiety

    • Experience physical sensations of tension or chronic discomfort or pain

    • Seek insight and emotional healing without diving immediately into traditional therapy

    • Want to deepen body awareness and reconnect with your true self

    • Are looking for a complementary tool alongside psychotherapy or mental well-being practices

  • While Somatic Breathwork offers many benefits, it is not a substitute for psychotherapy. It is not appropriate for:

    • Pregnant women

    • Cardiovascular problems (angina, heart attack, high blood pressure)

    • Glaucoma, retinal detachment, osteoporosis

    • History of seizures, stroke, major psychiatric conditions

    • Recent surgery, acute infectious illness, epilepsy

    Clients with asthma should bring their inhaler and consult their physician before booking.

  • Somatic Breathwork is a holistic approach that uses intentional control of bodily functions and the power of your breath to access and process emotion. It doesn’t include many of the profoundly helpful aspects of clinical therapy, but it can complement psychotherapy by increasing access to insights and emotions, shifting your mental states, and regulating your autonomic nervous system.

  • Absolutely. If you are only engaging in Somatic Breathwork with Michelle, please note that she serves as your Breathworker, not your therapist.

  • Yes! Amazingly, online breathing sessions deliver the same benefits as in-person sessions. To prepare:

    • Find a private, quiet space free from distractions

    • Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing for full rib cage and abdominal breathing

    • Use headphones and place your camera so your head and torso are visible

    • Have a water bottle, blanket, eye mask, or journal on hand if you like

    Michelle will guide you through every inhale and exhale, ensuring you stay connected to your own breath and body awareness.

  • It is completely up to you. For example, some like doing a full breathwork journey every other week, while others like going on as as-needed or as-can-be-afforded basis. Some like integrating breathing exercises into their daily routines.

  • Not at this time. Individual breathwork sessions are generally considered a holistic practice rather than a medical treatment, so most insurance plans do not cover them. Michelle offers flexible payment via Zelle, PayPal, cash, or check, plus a limited sliding fee scale to accommodate different budgets.

  • To maximize comfort and safety during your Arlington, VA session, consider bringing:

    • A black out eye mask and blanket

    • Your own small pillow or bolster for support if you don’t want to use the ones provided

    • A water bottle to stay hydrated

    • A journal to record insights

    A mat is provided. Wear breathable clothing that allows for full chest and abdominal expansion so you can experience deeper somatic breathing and optimal body awareness.

  • Absolutely. Group breathwork session options are available for those seeking community or couple support along their personal growth journey. Email michellemaylpc@hushmail.com to learn about group rates and scheduling.

  • Somatic Breathwork is suitable for most adults, but Michelle only works with those 18 and older. Participants with certain health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular issues, glaucoma, recent surgery, or epilepsy) should consult their physician before booking.

  • A Full Breathwork Journey (90 minutes) is designed as your ideal starting point. If you happen to be nervous and want to try something shorter, the Mini Breathwork Journey can help you ease in.

  • Yes! Michelle leads customized group breathwork session workshops for retreats, corporate events, and employee wellness programs. To inquire, email michellemaylpc@hushmail.com.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Michelle looks forward to connecting and supporting your journey into increased emotional capacity, clarity, and connection through Somatic Breathwork. Reach out today to begin.

Single white daisy in lush green grass symbolizing Somatic Breathwork, parasympathetic activation, inner peace, and mental clarity