Breathing Journeys was founded by John Paul, who, after years of exploring various careers, felt a deep calling to contribute to the world spiritually.
This journey led him to breathwork, which resonated profoundly with him from the very first session. In an interview with MysticMag, John shared that Breathing Journeys aims to teach people a practice that supports healing and spiritual development, emphasizing practical application in daily life.
Through breathwork, the organization seeks to help individuals resolve trauma, reconnect with themselves and others, and live more authentically in the world.
What inspired the founding of Breathing Journeys and what is its main mission?
That’s such a big question. There are many facets to it, so I’ll try to be concise. Many years ago, I was looking for a new career. I had already been a hydrogeologist, an environmental consultant, and even a hiking tour operator. However, I reached a point where I felt a need to contribute more significantly to the world, particularly in a spiritual sense. I wasn’t sure what that looked like at first, but I eventually left my job as a hiking tour director to explore different healing modalities. I delved into shamanism, coaching, group analysis, and family constellations. In this journey, I stumbled upon breathwork—completely by accident, actually, when I attended a training session without fully realizing it was for breathwork.
From my very first session, I knew breathwork was something I wanted to pursue further. It resonated with me on a profound level, engaging the soul and spirit. This realization led me to establish Breathing Journeys, where the core mission is to teach people a practice that supports their healing and spiritual development. The focus is not on escaping or transcending life, but on using spiritual awakening to enhance our daily lives practically.
Today, the mission of Breathing Journeys is to help people connect to themselves, each other, and to the natural world. We currently live in a culture that is often destructive and anti-life. This destructive narrative is not just out there in society but within each of us. I believe breathwork can help resolve the traumas we carry, reconnect us with ourselves, with others, and ultimately, help us shed the conditioning and stories that no longer serve us. It’s about finding a better way to be and live in this world.
How do Breathing Journeys utilize breathwork to promote well-being and healing?
Breathwork at Breathing Journeys focuses on helping individuals release traumas and emotional suppression, allowing them to reconnect with their bodies and feel more present. Many of us carry conditioning and trauma that can disconnect us from ourselves and others. By using breathwork, we aim to help people release these burdens, enabling them to feel more alive, connected, and comfortable in their own bodies.
As individuals engage in breathwork, they often discover their own creative expression and understand more deeply why they are here. Many people have conditioning that limits their ability to express who they truly are, and breathwork can help undo this conditioning. This process allows for a more authentic self-expression and a sense of ease in being oneself.
Beyond addressing trauma, stress, and tension, breathwork helps individuals reconnect with their spiritual essence. It offers a direct experience of their connection to spirit, source, or God, in whatever terms resonate with their personal beliefs. This spiritual connection provides a sense of security and peace, making individuals more resilient in their everyday lives. This reconnection is at the heart of what we do at Breathing Journeys.
What unique approaches or techniques set Breathing Journeys apart from other breathwork programs?
The main breathwork process I teach is conscious, connected breathing, also known as circular breathing or rebirthing. This technique is the most powerful and transformative modality I’ve encountered, which is why I focus on it. It enabled me to completely change my life, and I believe it holds similar potential for others.
However, what truly sets Breathing Journeys apart is our client-centred approach. Instead of imposing a rigid technique, we tailor the process to each client’s unique needs and life circumstances. This means meeting clients where they are, especially when dealing with trauma. The process is governed by the client’s readiness and capacity to heal, ensuring a pace that suits them.
Our approach is also very somatic, focusing on healing through the body. Much of our trauma and emotional challenges are stored in the body, and working somatically can be incredibly effective in addressing these issues.
Additionally, we view breathwork not just as a healing tool but as a spiritual practice. We see each individual’s journey as a spiritual path, where challenges are opportunities for growth. There’s nothing wrong with the person; instead, it’s about shifting something in their life to promote growth and transformation.
In summary, Breathing Journeys is client-led, spiritually focused, and trauma-informed, which distinguishes our approach from other breathwork programs.
Can you share a success story where Breathing Journeys significantly benefited someone’s mental or physical health?
There are quite a few powerful case studies I could share, but one from last year stands out. A client was referred to me who was experiencing severe anxiety and chronic stomach issues that had persisted for decades. These problems had become so debilitating that the client couldn’t leave the house and had to take a leave of absence from work.
We began with a plan of ten sessions, meeting once a month. From the very first session, it became clear that the client was carrying significant trauma, rooted in a violent and challenging childhood, particularly in relation to their mother. This trauma manifested physically in their gut issues and emotionally as anxiety and self-hate.
Throughout our sessions, we used breathwork to help the client release this stored trauma. The process brought up a lot of emotions and physical sensations, as well as vivid imagery from early life experiences. This allowed the client to start processing and reframing these experiences, shifting from a mindset of self-blame to recognizing that they were a child in difficult circumstances, not at fault.
We also tracked their progress by rating how they felt about themselves, which gradually improved. By session six or seven, the client sensed there was still a missing piece. In one particularly significant session, a deeply buried trauma surfaced, which the client had not been consciously aware of. Initially unable to speak about it, they eventually shared the experience in the next session. This act of articulating the trauma marked a turning point, as it often does, bringing a sense of freedom and resolution.
The transformative power of breathwork became evident when, after working through the trauma, the client rediscovered their passion for writing. They had always wanted to be a writer and had written poetry. With newfound confidence and clarity, they published a book on Amazon, sharing their journey, breathwork experiences, and reflections on their relationships and family. They also began attending live poetry readings, fully embracing their creative expression.
By the end of our sessions, the client felt significantly better about themselves, rating their self-perception as an 8 out of 10 and expressing contentment with that progress. It was incredibly moving to witness their journey from being housebound and filled with self-doubt to actively engaging with the world, sharing their voice, and living more authentically.
This story exemplifies the profound impact breathwork can have, helping individuals move from a place of deep struggle to one of self-discovery and empowerment.
How do you ensure the safety and effectiveness of the breathwork practices offered at Breathing Journeys?
Ensuring safety is paramount in our practice. The approach we use, both in my sessions and in the training of other facilitators at Breathing Journeys, is client-centered. This means we work at the client’s pace. I recall my first breathwork training, where the method was very intense—participants were instructed to breathe rapidly and express emotions loudly. While it was a powerful experience, I sensed that there could be a more subtle way to practice breathwork.
Our method involves being attuned to where the client is at in their journey and what they are ready for. We don’t push clients beyond their comfort zone. Whether it’s simply becoming aware of their breath, helping them relax and ground themselves, or introducing more advanced techniques like conscious, connected breathing, we tailor the experience to their needs. The client’s breath and psyche guide the process, and our role is to support them, giving them choices about how to engage in the session.
We emphasize the importance of consent. Before starting any session, we explain the process and ensure that the client feels comfortable proceeding. If the session involves physical touch or other techniques, we always seek explicit permission.
As for the effectiveness of our practices, it’s a complex issue. We can’t guarantee specific outcomes, as each person’s journey is unique. For example, someone might come to us with chronic physical pain and find significant relief, while others may not experience the same results. That’s why we encourage people to try breathwork through accessible means, such as free or low-cost group sessions, before committing to more in-depth work.
Ultimately, breathwork is an accessible modality—everyone can breathe, and our goal is to teach people how to use their breath to support their own well-being. While it may not be the perfect solution for everyone, it has the potential to be profoundly beneficial for many.
What new workshops or retreats are Breathing Journeys planning to offer in the near future?
The main upcoming event at Breathing Journeys is our Practitioner Training, which begins on September 19th. This is a six-month course running from September through March. We offer a highly personalized experience, with a maximum of 12 participants in each cohort. This allows for a close-knit, supportive environment throughout the training.
Participants benefit from a closed group format, meaning they work with the same group throughout the course, providing a strong sense of community and support. The training includes extensive mentoring and practical experience, as participants learn to work with clients individually and in groups, both online and in person.
The program is not only a professional development opportunity but also a profound personal journey. Many of our past trainees have described the experience as life-changing. If you are interested in pursuing breathwork as a career, integrating it into your community, or adding it to your existing practice as a counselor or therapist, we encourage you to explore this training further.
Find out more at: www.breathingjourneys.com
