Breathwork has gained popularity in the holistic space in recent years, and after trying it myself, I’m excited to collaborate on an upcoming event with breathwork practitioner Martine Waltier. In April, we’re teaming up to host ‘Sacred Cycles’—two sessions combining Breathwork and Sound Meditation. Martine’s sessions are a gentle approach, perfect for both beginners and those with experience. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share more about this modality and our session.
Q1: Can you introduce yourself to the community and share how you got into breathwork?
My name is Martine Waltier and I have been a breathwork practitioner for 5 years. I trained as a Kundalini Yoga teacher before becoming a breathworker and it felt like a natural progression to learn more about the breath. Also, being a vocalist, I have always had a deep connection with the breath and the power it holds.
Q2: What exactly is breathwork, and how does it differ from normal breathing?
Breathwork is an umbrella term for different types of breathing practices. The type of breathing pattern I work with is called the “Conscious Connected Breath”. When using this breath repeatedly and for a period of time, you are able to enter deeper states of consciousness and work through any trapped energies, stored trauma or potentially have a blissful time. A whole range of responses can happen and maybe nothing at all! It’s ultimately providing your body with a space to listen and connect deeper to who you are in that moment.
Essentially, if we become aware of each normal breath we take then we can also create a deeper awareness and relationship to our body, however this is not something we generally do as the daily breath is an involuntary bodily response.
Q3: What are the main benefits?
The main benefits of breathwork and especially the gentle approach I use in my sessions, are:
- A regulation of the nervous system which allows for more rest and digest to take place (parasympathetic)
- It can support in the management of anxiety and stress
- The body is able to release any trapped energy which creates space for new energy.
- It can bring you closer to understanding how to breathe more efficiently and effectively.
Q4: What can someone expect during a breathwork session?
Each breathworker holds space differently and within my sessions I start with an introduction learning about who I am and what you might expect from the session. I then like to do some kind of warm up exercise to say “hello” to our bodies. When we use the conscious connected breath I tend to play music which I have created and which follows a progression through the elements, this can be between 30 – 40 mins long. Afterwards I use live sounds as space for integration, which is just as important as the breathing! Collaborating with Craig from Soundworks will bring a fuller soundscape to fully experience the journey.
Q5: Are there different types, and how do they serve different needs? What type is your focus?
There are different types of breathwork modalities, some which use the conscious connected breath others which use a different kind of breathing pattern. There are really so many out there but the conscious connected breath is the main one I use and this stems from Holotropic breathwork however acknowledgment really needs to be given to our ancestors who have been breathing in different ways to achieve different states for many, many years.
Q6: How can breathwork help with stress or anxiety?
When we breathe in a conscious connected way we are making changes to different systems within our body and one of them is regulating our nervous system. Many times when we hold stress in our bodies it comes from our trauma responses. Often one of the things which happen when we respond to trauma is we hold our breath. This energy and memory is stored within our body so breathwork can potentially release this energy and provide space for new energy and perspectives.
Q7: We’re hosting a session together very soon (I’m very excited!) What can participants expect from it?
Expect the unexpected. With these sessions it is recommended that you come with an openness to experiencing all and nothing! We can bring an intention to a breathwork and also be non-attached to the intention and have a pre-conceived idea of what will happen. The beauty lies in allowing yourself to receive the breath and observe what wants to be unraveled. We’ve shared some more specific information about the event further down this page for you.
Q8: What advice would you give to someone trying breathwork for the first time?
There is no right or wrong way – just making it to a session is more than enough. The rest will come.
Q9: How can people continue their journey with this modality after our session?
There may be breathwork sessions in your area which you can attend. A good directory is the UK Breathwork Association https://breathwork.org.uk/ I would always make sure the facilitator is qualified and insured. There are also resources online which you can access and I offer breathing meditations via my Bandcamp page: https://martinewaltier.bandcamp.com/album/all-about-the-breath .
Q10: Something I ask everybody who stops by the Soundbites Blog: What is the most important piece of advice you would like to share with our readers?
Taking one conscious breath a day brings you closer to each moment and that is all we know and have.
Thanks Martine! Thank you for those who stopped by to find out more about this modality. Here’s more information about our upcoming collaboration:
We’ll be hosting two sessions in the UK – one in London and one in Bristol.
Experience this immersive 3-hour session as we take you on a journey that combines the transformative powers of breathwork and sound meditation. Together, we tune in as these modalities work in harmony to release tension, restore balance, and guide you to a place of deep relaxation and clarity.
If you’ve never tried breathwork before, this is a caringly curated session that will act as a wonderful, soft introduction to the modality. Paired with music and sound tools, you’re in for a beautiful session. Here’s the running order of the event.
– Welcome, introduction to the modalities
– Gentle conscious connected breathwork session
– Transition to a restful, sound meditation (soundbath)
– Awakening, group check-in, and closing the space with a warm drink to ground and refresh us after the journey
Fri 4th Apr 7-10pm – Millers way, London
Full price £48
Earlybird price £43
Sun 6th Apr 3pm – Turnberries, Bristol
Full price £43
Earlybird price £38
Earlybird price is available until the 23rd of March. Use the the discount code ‘earlybird’ when booking your space.
Would you like to see all upcoming events? If so, head here.