What is somatic breathwork?
Somatic breathwork is a guided practice that uses steady, connected breathing to move you out of your thinking mind and into your body. Over a session, an active breathing rhythm, carried by music, sound, and a facilitator's voice, loosens tension the body has been holding, settles the nervous system, and often brings up strong emotion, memories, visuals, clarity, and deep quiet. You don't need experience. You lie down, you breathe, and the practice does the rest.
A session
Sessions run about ninety minutes in a small group and are timed for sunset, so outdoor sessions begin in golden light and close as the forest goes dark. You'll lie on a mat with an eye mask while the facilitator guides the breathing, then close with sound and a short circle for anyone who wants to say what came up.
When the weather is good we meet outdoors at forest locations near Victoria. When it isn't, we meet indoors. Where each session happens is confirmed by email a few days ahead.
Pricing
-
One sessionDrop in to any session.$40
-
Five sessions$32 a session. Use them whenever you like.$160
Nothing is charged while we're building the waitlist. Payment happens once sessions are scheduled.
What to bring
- A notebook, for anything that comes up
- Water
- A yoga mat
- A blanket
- A headlamp, if we're outside
Eye masks are provided. We'll have spare mats, blankets, and sheepskins.
About
Breathwork Victoria is a small practice bringing facilitated somatic breathwork and sound to Vancouver Island, outside under the trees whenever the weather allows. Sessions begin once a hundred people have joined the waitlist.
Your facilitator trained in somatic breathwork in Ventura, California, where the practice has a deep and active community, and is bringing that training home to the island.
Breathwork involves strong, active breathing and isn't suitable for everyone. If you're pregnant or have a history of cardiovascular problems, seizures, or a serious psychiatric condition, talk with your doctor first, and let us know so we can support you.
Questions people ask
What is somatic breathwork?
Somatic breathwork is a guided practice that uses steady, connected breathing to shift attention from the thinking mind into the body. An active breathing rhythm, supported by music, sound, and a facilitator's guidance, releases held tension, settles the nervous system, and often brings up strong emotion, memories, visuals, clarity, and deep quiet.
Do I need experience to join a session?
No. Every session is guided from start to finish. You lie down on a mat with an eye mask, follow the facilitator's cues, and the practice does the rest. Most people at a session are trying breathwork for the first or second time.
How long is a session and what happens?
About 90 minutes, timed to begin around sunset. You arrive, settle onto your mat, and the facilitator guides an active breathing journey of roughly 30 to 40 minutes. The session closes with sound from singing bowls, a drum, and chimes, then a short optional circle where anyone can share what came up.
Where are sessions held in Victoria?
Outdoors at forest locations in and around Victoria, BC when the weather is good, and indoors when it isn't. The exact location for each session is confirmed by email a few days ahead. We try to stay within a 30 minute drive of downtown Victoria.
How much does breathwork cost in Victoria?
Breathwork Victoria charges $40 CAD for a single session or $160 CAD for a five-session pack, which works out to $32 a session. Nothing is charged while the waitlist is building; payment happens once sessions are scheduled.
Is breathwork safe? Who should not do it?
For most healthy adults, guided breathwork is safe. It involves strong, active breathing, so it is not recommended during pregnancy or for people with a history of cardiovascular problems, seizures, or serious psychiatric conditions without talking to a doctor first. Tell the facilitator about any condition so they can support you.
When do sessions start?
Sessions begin once 100 people have joined the waitlist at breathworkvictoria.com. Everyone on the list is emailed when the first dates are set.