This post aims to guide you through the best breathwork teachers, delivering the best breathwork classes in 2024. We’ll be going into their unique approaches and what sets them apart.
Breathwork offers a tonne of benefits for the mind, body, and soul. As its popularity continues to rise, so does the number of teachers and courses available.
Breathwork, while gaining modern popularity, is by no means a new practice. Its roots trace back to ancient civilizations, from the yogis of India to the shamans of the Americas. These early practitioners recognized the power of the breath as a bridge between the mind, body, and spirit.
The essence of breathwork lies in the conscious control of breathing patterns. By manipulating the breath, one can influence their mental, emotional, and physical states, tapping into deeper layers of consciousness and unlocking transformative experiences.
The Best Breathwork Teachers for 2023
Patrick McKeown – Oxygen Advantage
Key Features:
- Comprehensive online breathing course.
- Techniques to achieve better health and quality of life.
- Methods to enhance sports performance.
- Prevention and reduction of common illnesses.
- Boost energy, increase focus, and lower stress and anxiety.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Techniques are based on Patrick’s personal experience with severe asthma.
- Suitable for individuals at any fitness level.
- Offers a holistic approach to health and performance.
Cons:
- Might require consistent practice for noticeable results.
- The course might not replace medical treatments for severe conditions.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? An online breathing course by Oxygen Advantage.
- Who is it for? Anyone looking to improve their health, quality of life, and sports performance through breathwork.
- What makes it special? The course is taught by Patrick McKeown, who has personally experienced the benefits of these techniques.
Patrick McKeown’s journey from suffering severe asthma during his childhood and early 20s to becoming a beacon of the benefits of correct breathing is rather inspiring. He lives what he teaches.
His personal experience and transformation are the foundation of the Oxygen Advantage course.
By following the techniques Patrick teaches, individuals can potentially prevent and reduce various common illnesses, enhance their energy and focus, and decrease stress and anxiety levels.
These benefits are not just for those suffering from health issues; even individuals at the peak of their fitness can experience improvements in balance, resilience, speed, and endurance.
Wim Hof – Wim Hof Method
Key Features:
- Specialized breathing techniques to rejuvenate the system.
- Controlled exposure to cold for revitalization.
- Simulates the natural environment for DNA activation.
- A comprehensive method combining cold exposure, breathing, and mindset.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Restores innate strength and natural defense systems.
- Offers a holistic approach combining breathing, cold exposure, and mindset.
- Provides benefits like maximum energy, restful sleep, and mental clarity.
Cons:
- Might require a certain level of physical and mental preparedness.
- The cold exposure aspect might not be suitable for everyone.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? The Wim Hof Method, a combination of specialized breathing, controlled cold exposure, and mindset techniques.
- Who is it for? Anyone looking to rediscover their inner strength, achieve mental clarity, and improve overall well-being.
- What makes it special? The method taps into age-old natural defense systems, rekindling dormant strengths within our DNA.
The Wim Hof Method is a pretty impressive human being. If you haven’t seen some of his videos, I suggest watching a few.
Wim Hof’s discoveries through his experiences with the cold have led to the development of this method, which aims to reawaken the natural defense systems that lie dormant within us.
By combining specialized breathing techniques with controlled cold exposure, individuals can rejuvenate their systems, clearing out the clutter and reactivating their innate strengths.
The method goes beyond just physical well-being, offering mental clarity and a sense of peace. It’s like having a gym membership, mindfulness coach, and health insurance all in one package.
The consistent practice of the Wim Hof Method can bring about transformative changes in one’s life, from improved energy levels to better sleep and a clearer headspace.
Max Strom – Breath to Heal
Key Features:
- Groundbreaking system of breathing techniques.
- Designed to alleviate anxiety, depression, PTS, and sleep problems.
- Focuses on root causes rather than just symptoms.
- Offers workshops, courses, retreats, and one-to-one sessions.
- Author of transformative books on the subject.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Techniques address a wide range of emotional and mental health issues.
- Rapid results with a field-tested method.
- Holistic approach that combines breathing with personal transformation.
Cons:
- Might require consistent practice for optimal results.
- Not a replacement for medical or therapeutic treatments.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? Max Strom’s Breathe to Heal, a comprehensive system of breathing techniques.
- Who is it for? Individuals facing challenges like anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, or anyone seeking personal transformation through breathwork.
- What makes it special? Max Strom’s personal mission and dedication to helping people remember their capabilities and live a more meaningful life.
Max’s methods are my most practiced in breathwork. I feel great afterwards and I definitely feel a change.
He’s a renowned global breathing teacher, has dedicated his life to teaching breathing patterns that bring about personal transformation.
His journey and dedication to the field have led to the development of the Breathe to Heal system, which has been designed to address and alleviate a range of emotional and mental health challenges.
The techniques he teaches are not just about addressing symptoms; they delve deep into the root causes, offering individuals a chance to truly transform their lives.
With the rise of anxiety, stress, and depression globally, Max’s approach provides a timely and effective solution. His teachings are not just theoretical; they are field-tested and have been known to produce pretty fast results.
Whether you attend his workshops, retreats, or opt for one-to-one sessions, the experience promises to be transformative.
Nevşah Fidan Karamehmet – Breath Hub
Key Features:
- Comprehensive breathwork platform with over 800+ sessions.
- Guided breathwork sessions produced by professional breathwork coaches.
- Offers daily sessions across various categories.
- Focuses on improving mindfulness in everyday life.
- Provides sessions and courses for a holistic breath journey.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Wide variety of sessions catering to different needs.
- Professional guidance ensuring quality and effectiveness.
- Accessible platform for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Cons:
- Might require a subscription for full access to premium content.
- The vast number of sessions might be overwhelming for some.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? Breath Hub is an extensive platform offering guided breathwork sessions and courses.
- Who is it for? Anyone looking to incorporate breathwork into their daily routine and achieve mindfulness.
- What makes it special? The platform’s vast collection of sessions, guided by professional coaches, ensures there’s something for everyone.
Breath Hub is spearheaded by Nevşah Fidan Karamehmet.
With over 800+ sessions, the platform offers an extensive range of guided breathwork sessions, ensuring that individuals, regardless of their experience level, find something that resonates with them.
The sessions are not just about breathing exercises; they are about achieving mindfulness, finding balance, and transforming one’s life.
Nevşah’s dedication to the field is evident in the quality and variety of sessions available. Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, improve focus, or simply find a moment of calm in your hectic day, Breath Hub is a pretty handy option.
Samantha Skelly – Pause Breathwork
Key Features:
- Comprehensive platform with over 800+ breathwork sessions.
- Guided sessions produced by professional breathwork coaches.
- Daily sessions across various categories for holistic breathwork experience.
- Focus on alleviating stress, anxiety, and achieving mindfulness.
- Personal mission to make breathwork mainstream.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Wide range of sessions suitable for different needs.
- Professional guidance ensuring quality and effectiveness.
- Accessible for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Cons:
- Might require a subscription for full access to all content.
- The vast array of sessions might be overwhelming for newcomers.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? Pause Breathwork, an extensive platform offering guided breathwork sessions.
- Who is it for? Individuals aiming to achieve mindfulness, reduce stress, and incorporate breathwork into their daily routine.
- What makes it special? Samantha Skelly’s dedication to making breathwork mainstream and her personal mission to help the world expand and live in a peaceful state.
Samantha Skelly, the founder of Pause Breathwork, has been on a journey with breathwork for over 13 years. She has her own breathwork platform, Pause Breathwork.
With over 800+ sessions, the platform offers a ton of options for individuals to dive into the world of breathwork. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, there’s something for everyone.
The sessions are not just about breathing exercises; they aim to liberate individuals from stress and anxiety, helping them achieve a state of mindfulness. Samantha’s vision is clear – to make breathwork mainstream and accessible to all.
Áine Grace – Breathwork Essentials
Key Features:
- Personalized one-on-one breathwork sessions tailored to individual needs.
- Focus on going beyond self-defeating patterns and achieving new results.
- Addresses root causes of anxiety and depression.
- Aims to instill profound levels of self-love, confidence, and joy.
- Offers both virtual and in-person sessions (for those local to the Bay Area).
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Tailored sessions ensure a personalized experience.
- Addresses both emotional and physical well-being.
- Suitable for both beginners and those with prior breathwork experience.
Cons:
- Might require a commitment for optimal results.
- In-person sessions are limited to those in the Bay Area.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? Breathwork Essentials, a platform offering personalized one-on-one breathwork sessions.
- Who is it for? Individuals seeking to overcome self-defeating patterns, anxiety, and depression, and those aiming for personal growth.
- What makes it special? Áine Grace’s personalized approach ensures that each session is tailored to the individual’s unique needs and challenges.
Áine Grace’s Breathwork Essentials stands out as a bright light for those seeking personal transformation through breathwork.
With a focus on addressing the root causes of emotional challenges, Áine offers sessions that delve deep, allowing individuals to break free from self-defeating patterns and embrace new possibilities.
Whether you’re grappling with anxiety, depression, or simply seeking a deeper connection with yourself, Breathwork Essentials provides a safe and nurturing space to explore and grow. The testimonials speak volumes, with many highlighting the transformative power of Áine’s sessions. From improved sleep to heightened clarity, the benefits are manifold.
With both virtual and in-person sessions on offer, Áine ensures that breathwork is accessible to all, regardless of location.
Brian Kelly – Breath Masters
Key Features:
- Comprehensive transformational breathwork training.
- Focus on mastering the art of breathwork for personal and professional growth.
- Emphasis on building a thriving coaching business.
- Offers both virtual and in-person training sessions.
- Incorporates modern science behind breathing with age-old techniques.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Comprehensive training suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
- Provides tools to create lasting change in oneself and clients.
- Opportunity to join a growing online breathwork community.
Cons:
- Requires commitment and dedication for optimal results.
- Might need prior knowledge or experience in coaching or healing for some advanced modules.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? Breath Masters, a platform offering transformational breathwork training.
- Who is it for? Individuals seeking to master breathwork for personal transformation and those aiming to build a successful coaching business.
- What makes it special? Brian Kelly’s approach combines the modern science of breathing with traditional techniques, ensuring a holistic training experience.
Breath Masters, founded by Brian Kelly, is a transformative platform that offers comprehensive breathwork training.
The training is designed not just for personal growth but also to help individuals build a thriving coaching business. With a blend of modern science and age-old techniques, the course provides tools that can create lasting change.
Whether you’re looking to release deeply rooted emotional patterns or evolve your consciousness, Breath Masters equips you with the knowledge and techniques to achieve your goals. The training is not just limited to learning; it also offers an opportunity to join a growing online breathwork community, connecting with like-minded individuals and experts in the field.
Belisa Vranich – The Breathing Class
Key Features:
- A comprehensive approach to breathing for overall well-being.
- Offers certification, private sessions, group workshops, and tactical fitness.
- Emphasis on the difference between good and bad breathing.
- Provides resources on breathing best practices, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Author of several books on breathing, including “Breathing for Warriors” and “Breathe.”
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- A holistic approach to breathing, catering to various needs.
- Provides a range of resources, from workshops to books.
- Recognized and endorsed by various publications and personalities.
Cons:
- Some techniques might require consistent practice for noticeable results.
- Might be overwhelming for beginners due to the depth of content.
Overview:
- What’s on offer? The Breathing Class, a comprehensive platform offering various resources and training on effective breathing techniques.
- Who is it for? Individuals seeking to improve their overall well-being, mental clarity, and physical health through proper breathing.
- What makes it special? Dr. Belisa Vranich’s approach is holistic, combining scientific knowledge with practical exercises, making it accessible for everyone.
Dr. Belisa Vranich’s The Breathing Class opens your eyes to proper breathing and how most of us, well… aren’t.
With a plethora of resources ranging from books to workshops, Dr. Belisa offers a comprehensive approach to breathing. Recognizing the difference between good and bad breathing, she emphasizes techniques that promote overall well-being, mental clarity, and physical health.
Her work has been recognized and endorsed by various publications, with testimonials highlighting the transformative power of her techniques. Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, improve sleep, or enhance athletic performance, The Breathing Class provides the tools and knowledge to achieve your goals.
Exploring Breathwork Techniques – A Summary
Having looked into the expertise and offerings of the leading breathwork teachers of 2023, it’s essential to just summarise our understanding of the unique techniques they each individually teach. Each technique, rooted in years of practice and refinement, offers distinct benefits tailored to various needs. Let’s round up these techniques for a clearer perspective:
Patrick McKeown – Oxygen Advantage Technique
- Focus: Enhancing sports performance and overall health.
- Technique: Emphasizes nasal breathing and breath-holding to improve oxygen uptake. It’s designed to address over-breathing, helping individuals achieve an optimal balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Benefits: Improved stamina, reduced breathlessness during exercise, enhanced concentration, and better sleep.
Wim Hof – Wim Hof Method
- Focus: Building resilience, improving mental clarity, and overall health.
- Technique: A combination of specific breathing exercises, cold therapy, and meditation. The breathing exercises involve cycles of deep breaths followed by breath retention.
- Benefits: Strengthened immune system, increased energy, reduced stress levels, and improved sleep.
Max Strom – Inner Axis Breathwork
- Focus: Emotional healing and transformation.
- Technique: Incorporates intentional breathing patterns with movement and specific yoga postures. It’s designed to release suppressed emotions and traumas.
- Benefits: Emotional release, reduced anxiety and depression, improved sleep, and enhanced well-being.
Nevşah Fidan Karamehmet – Breath Hub Techniques
- Focus: Achieving mindfulness and holistic breathwork experience.
- Technique: Offers a variety of guided breathwork sessions, each tailored to different needs, from stress relief to energy boost.
- Benefits: Enhanced mindfulness, emotional balance, increased energy, and improved focus.
Samantha Skelly – Pause Breathwork
- Focus: Overcoming self-defeating patterns and achieving personal growth.
- Technique: Emphasizes intuitive breathing, allowing the body to dictate the pace and pattern of breath. It’s designed to reconnect individuals with their intuition.
- Benefits: Emotional release, heightened intuition, reduced stress, and increased self-awareness.
Áine Grace – Personalized Breathwork
- Focus: Addressing individual challenges and promoting personal growth.
- Technique: One-on-one sessions tailored to the individual’s needs, focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing patterns.
- Benefits: Personalized outcomes based on individual goals, from emotional release to enhanced clarity and focus.
Brian Kelly – Breath Masters Technique
- Focus: Mastering breathwork for personal and professional transformation.
- Technique: Combines modern science with traditional breathwork techniques, offering a comprehensive training approach.
- Benefits: Personal transformation, enhanced emotional and physical well-being, and tools to build a successful coaching practice.
Belisa Vranich – The Breathing Class
- Focus: Improving overall well-being, mental clarity, and physical health through proper breathing.
- Technique: A comprehensive approach that emphasizes the difference between good and bad breathing. Dr. Belisa combines scientific knowledge with practical exercises to make effective breathing techniques accessible for everyone.
- Benefits: Enhanced mental clarity, improved sleep, alleviation of stress, and promotion of overall well-being.
In the vast realm of breathwork, these techniques stand out for their unique approaches and the profound impacts they have on practitioners. Whether you’re seeking emotional release, physical rejuvenation, or spiritual growth, there’s a breathwork technique tailored to your needs. As always, it’s essential to find a method that resonates with you and aligns with your goals.
Choosing the Right Breathwork Teacher
When looking to study breathwork, finding the right teacher can make all the difference in your journey. A qualified instructor not only imparts technical knowledge but also provides a safe space for exploration and growth.
When selecting a teacher, it’s essential to consider their credentials and the depth of their experience. Are they well-versed in the specific technique you’re interested in? What’s their teaching philosophy? Do they prioritize student well-being and safety?
Additionally, delve into reviews and testimonials from past students to gauge the effectiveness of their teachings. In today’s digital age, many instructors offer online classes and workshops, making breathwork accessible to a global audience.
Whether you prefer in-person sessions or virtual classes, ensure that the teacher aligns with your goals and resonates with your personal journey.
My Experiences With Breathwork
Breathwork has been a transformative journey for me. Diving deep into the teachings of various experts, I’ve been fortunate to explore the diverse world of breathing techniques and their profound impacts. Here’s a glimpse into my personal experiences with some of the leading figures in the realm of breathwork:
- Patrick McKeown: Studying Patrick’s teachings opened my eyes to the intricate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our bodies. His emphasis on nasal breathing and the Oxygen Advantage Technique provided me with tools to enhance my stamina and concentration. It’s fascinating how such subtle shifts in our breathing patterns can lead to significant changes in our overall health.
- Belisa Vranich: Belisa’s comprehensive approach to breathing was a revelation. Her teachings underscored the difference between good and bad breathing, and I was particularly drawn to her blend of scientific knowledge with practical exercises. It’s a holistic method that I believe is beneficial for anyone looking to improve their general breathing habits.
- Max Strom: I found Max’s work, Breath to Heal via a Ted Talk he did that was posted on YouTube. His techniques, which combine intentional breathing patterns with yoga postures, allowed me to release suppressed emotions and traumas. For anyone seeking emotional healing, Max’s methods really work.
- Wim Hof: The “Iceman” himself, Wim Hof’s methods are probably the most well known currently in the breathwork space. His combination of breathing exercises, cold therapy, and meditation pushed my physical boundaries, you do get pretty uncomfortable. After doing a session, I felt a surge in energy, and weirdly enough, clean. Its like the combination of the cold and the breath cleans you from the inside out. For physical healing and building toughness, Wim Hof’s techniques are highly recommended.
- Brian Kelly: I had the privilege of studying Brian Kelly’s free breathwork program on the Skool platform. His generosity in offering a complimentary program is commendable. What’s even more impressive is how he rewards dedicated students by granting access to some of the paid methods. It’s a testament to his commitment to spreading the benefits of breathwork and ensuring that those who put in the effort reap the rewards.
Conclusion
My journey with breathwork has been really enlightening to say the least. At the beginning of my journey I wrote it off as a waste of my time, as you can see, my opinion is very different now.
Each teacher, with their unique approach, offers invaluable insights.
If you’re seeking physical healing, I’d point you towards Wim Hof. For emotional healing, Max Strom’s methods have been transformative. Belisa Vranich’s teachings are excellent for those looking to improve their general breathing habits. And for a deep dive into a variety of breathwork techniques that tap into the subconscious, Brian Kelly’s expertise is unmatched.
Breathwork, in its essence, is a testament to the power of the breath. It’s a reminder that something as fundamental as breathing, when done mindfully, can be a gateway to healing, transformation, and self-discovery.
