Breath
Breath is what links it all
Your four bodies (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) speak to each other at all times and the breath is their common ground.
The way you breathe influences your mental, emotional and physical state and can connect you to higher consciousness.
The breath is a powerful tool that comes in many forms, and these are the ways I teach it: from your first ten minutes to the deepest work.
01
The Reset
An introduction to a method similar to what you learn in Vipassana, to develop awareness and one-pointedness of focus.
When you spend 10 minutes just focusing on your breath and calling your attention back when it drifts, it allows you to calm down and be more present.
- Calmer
- More present
- Better focus
02
Breath retraining
Rewiring how you breathe day to day, so your body helps you calm your mind, settle your emotions, and reconnect to its self-healing abilities.
Retraining your breath to what it once was, before you were chronically stressed or underwent that very traumatic set of events, means making the breath supportive rather than sabotaging. Physiologically, Mentally and Emotionally.
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve focus and sleep
- Balance your nervous system
- Boost energy and wellbeing
03
Breath for performance
Your breath is the foundation of endurance, strength, and resilience.
Breath for Athletic Performance combines functional breathing techniques with high-altitude simulation training to increase oxygen efficiency, enhance stamina, accelerate recovery, and sharpen mental focus.
Whether you're an endurance athlete, strength trainer, or adventure seeker, mastering your breath can give you an undeniable edge, both physically and mentally.
- Boost strength, stamina and resilience
- Increase endurance and recovery
- More energy and confidence
Elements of breath for performance are integrated in The Free Woman mentorship and in the For Teams workshops.
04
Surf apnea
Breath holding, calmer under pressure, but also the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
This tool helps you get calm under pressure, manage fear and stress, boost comfort in challenges, and better control in changing situations.
What is true in front of a wall of water, is true in the boardroom, on stage, or anywhere the pressure may feel too much.
- Fear and stress management
- Calmer under pressure
- Boost comfort in challenges
- Boost confidence and control
Integrated in The Free Woman mentorship and in the For Teams workshops.
05
Ancestral Breath
A breathwork developed from the singing rituals of my ancestors, inspired by the patterns of breath in the singing. It allows you to connect to a deeper side of you, which connects you to the universe.
It reconnects you to other realms of consciousness and to your ancestors, and connects mind, heart, soul and body in ways you can understand without getting caught in your usual web of thoughts, emotions and patterns.
- Physical, emotional and energetic healing
- Emotional processing
- Nervous system reset
- Access higher wisdom
By email request only. Sessions take place with me, in person.
What people say
In their words
Breath for performance
"It's so simple and yet so impactful! Using breath techniques Sonia taught me, I managed to get my time down by 15min on 20km runs!"
Ancestral Breath (formerly Shamanic Breath)
"I experienced a deep spiritual journey of healing my body and mind at Sonia's Shamanic Breath. This felt like a beautifully safe space which Sonia held with such kindness and compassion. Sonia brings genuine care and a zest for serving whichever needs arise. She is present, knowledgeable and calmly confident. Her gentle guidance allows you to experience whatever you are ready for. Breathwork truly has been one of the most profound experiences of my life."
Ancestral Breath (formerly Shamanic Breath)
"I have attended the Shamanic Breath with Sonia a number of times now and it has been a unique experience every time. It's such an awesome experience, not only during the practice but also long after you leave. The experience that Sonia creates is not only unique to the group at the time but also allows you to have a very personal experience and receive your own personal healing as you are guided individually in a very subtle way. The clear mind and the physical wellbeing that I feel after a session are some of the main reasons I go back."
Questions
Before you begin
I have asthma, can I participate?
Yes. Breath retraining can help you feel more in control of your breathing. One client shared that two years after the course, she still manages her asthma attacks with the tools she learned and hasn't needed her inhaler.
Everyone is different, so please speak with your doctor first, and never change your medication without their advice.
I want to learn to manage my emotions, will Ancestral Breath help?
Ancestral Breath is a beautiful tool to process emotions and connect more deeply to yourself, which means it can help highlight the origin of your triggers. However emotional management is a skill that you must learn. If you would like to learn how to manage your emotions, join The Free Woman mentorship where you will rediscover who you are in all aspects and learn to bring more supportive emotions and thoughts forward.
How long does it take to relearn to breathe functionally?
Creating a habit takes on average around 66 days: the time it takes to rewire your brain.
It's a matter of reinforcing a way of being every single day until it becomes second nature. That's why our courses and coaching include a daily prompt for you to cement the new skill once you've learnt it.
Is surf apnea just for surfers?
Of course not! If you know me then you know all the tools I propose can be used across different areas of life. Surf apnea will help you understand how your body works under stress, how to make decisions under pressure and how to bring back calm in any challenging or scary situation. That's as handy at work as it is anywhere including in the surf. It is integrated in The Free Woman mentorship and in the For Teams workshops.
I do Wim Hof breathing, how is yours different?
Wim Hof bases his breath technique on Tummo, a Tibetan breath practice. While it has its value, it is a dangerous practice in the surf or anywhere you may be susceptible to faint.
It is also a punctual practice, no matter how regularly you practise it, which is where it differs from functional breathing: the way you breathe at any moment during the day and night. The way you breathe daily is what informs your general wellbeing: physical, mental and emotional. That's why learning to become a functional breather again (breathe like you were meant to at birth) is a better long term skill. Wim Hof is handy but not one that teaches you how to handle fear response and how to promote your health.
That being said, any practice that allows you a moment of calm, a moment for yourself is very valuable so if that's the only practice you connect to, by all means keep on doing it, simply be mindful of the potential health impact and ensure it fits your goals.
I have no mental health problems, why should I join any breathwork?
First of all I am so happy that you feel well in your mind and heart, that is so important! Let me say this: don't forget the rest of you! The way you breathe also impacts your physical wellbeing and can support your cardiovascular health and your digestive health. Done well, it improves your sleep, your physical performance and your resilience to stress among other things. So why not!
It's my first time, what can I expect?
In all our breath sessions my #1 priority is to create a safe space for you to explore yourself, your limits, share and learn. Because everyone is different, the experience is very personal and only what needs your attention will arise. Which means that whether it is Ancestral Breath, surf apnea or any of my breath practices, every session will be different but as for everything in life your commitment and how ready you are to dive in will influence how much you get out of the experience.
While it can be a bit daunting at first to open up in front of others, I find it is the best way to show up, so we can love all of you and support you in your journey.