Breathwork Isn’t for Everybody... Or Is It?
Let’s get something out of the way: breathwork isn’t for everybody. There, we said it.
But not in the way you might think.
Because what we really mean is that not every type of breathwork is for everybody, at every stage of life, at every point in their healing journey. And the breathwork world has done a poor job of explaining that. Instead, what we often see are quick-fix promises, hype-driven reels of euphoric transformations, and very little mention of safety, nuance, or nervous system literacy.
So let’s change that. Because when done right, breathwork can be one of the most powerful, body-based tools for emotional healing, nervous system regulation, trauma release, and long-term transformation. It is for everybody—but it has to be done responsibly.
Why the Warning?
There are so many breathwork styles out there, from gentle nasal breathing to intense conscious connected breathwork (CCB). And while it might all look like "just breathing," the physiological effects can be drastically different.
For example, At IMD, we use all models and techniques but our original signature sessions focuses on conscious connected breathing techniques designed to access deep emotional states, release trauma, and regulate the nervous system. But these techniques must be practiced in safe containers.
Why?
Because CCB temporarily changes the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the body, activating a non-ordinary state of consciousness. It can lead to:
Emotional catharsis
Tingling or temperature shifts
Crying, screaming, or laughing
Flashbacks or intense memories
Dizziness or temporary dissociation
In the right setting, these are signs of deep healing. But for people with certain health conditions, medical histories, or if you’re unlucky enough to have an untrained facilitators, it can be overwhelming, dysregulating, or even dangerous. That’s why one thing I implement is; I don’t allow anyone to facilitate until they’re fully trained, trauma-informed, and certified in first aid. Every journey is a blend of science and safety.
My Journey and How IMD Breathwork Was Born
Like many things worth doing, IMD was born out of frustration. Frustration with breathwork spaces that lacked structure or safety. Frustration with over-spiritualised fluff that forgot the science. And frustration with seeing people walk out of sessions more confused than when they walked in. That said, and to be clear… there are some incredible instructors out there whom I deeply admire and continue to learn from, so this is not a instructor bashing article, more of a narrative to follow.
I’ve always lived life at full steam. As a professional dancer, choreographer, creative director, film director, editor, cinematographer, and photographer — and a lifelong overachiever — I know what it feels like to hit a wall. No amount of talking could shift the deeper, implicit traumas I was carrying. And like so many people, I eventually hit that emotional and physical “slump,” where the nervous system taps out, and everything turns foggy.
It was breathwork that gave me the reset I didn’t even realise I needed. And not to overstate it, but it helped me move through some of the biggest traumas of my life… many of which I wasn’t even aware were still affecting me.
That’s when I knew I had to share this. But not just any breathwork. What I wanted to create had to be structured, immersive, science-backed, and trauma-informed. From that vision, IMD Breathwork was born.
Each session is designed as a complete sound journey, combining:
Headphones to fully isolate the experience
Eye masks to draw attention inward
Music, frequencies, and sound design to deepen emotional states
A guided voice to hold each participant safely through the process
There’s nothing random. Nothing “woo woo.” Just the breath, the body, the sounds and a carefully designed container for transformation, helping you let go of what no longer serves you.
Not All Breath Is Equal
Breathwork isn’t one thing. It’s a whole spectrum. Just like exercise ranges from a walk to a marathon, breathwork spans from gentle nasal breathing to intense trauma release. The key is knowing what tool you need, and when.
Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB):
Fast, circular breathing
Induces non-ordinary states
Great for emotional release
Not safe for everyone, especially without guidance
Parasympathetic Breathing:
Slow, deep, nasal inhales
Long, extended exhales
Activates rest and digest
Safe for nearly everyone, ideal for daily practice
Somatic/Trauma-Informed Approaches:
Combines breath with movement, sound, or visualisation
Gentle but emotionally potent
Helps release trauma stored in the body
The problem isn’t breathwork. It’s using the wrong type, in the wrong way, at the wrong time.
Can We Create a Global Movement?
We’re not just doing breathwork. We’re part of a global awakening.
Right now, across the world, more people than ever are turning to the breath, not as a trendy wellness tool, but as a serious, science-backed alternative to pharmaceuticals and outdated mental health models. From trauma healing to anxiety relief, from nervous system regulation to building self-awareness, breathwork is becoming the frontline tool for those who want to take healing into their own hands.
Why? Because trauma lives in the body. And breathwork is one of the only tools that works through the body. It reaches places talk therapy can’t. It releases what medication can only numb. And it empowers people to do it for themselves.
We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. As science catches up with ancient wisdom, we now understand how profoundly breath affects our physiology: brainwave states, stress hormones, vagal tone, cardiovascular health, even pain perception. There are now stories of people healing not only emotional wounds, but even physical conditions and chronic pain—just through breath.
And that’s why I created IMD Breathwork.
IMD isn’t a trend. It’s a purpose-built system designed to meet this global movement with the structure, safety, and depth it demands.
At IMD, we bridge the gap between intensity and safety, science and soul. Every session is carefully crafted using a multi-sensory approach:
Trauma-informed, fully certified instructors trained in emergency care
A meticulously structured musical arc and breathing rhythm
Integration and aftercare to support what comes up
An immersive container using headphones, eye masks, and layered sound design
This is not random. It’s not reckless. And it’s not about forcing catharsis. We don’t push people into breakdown, we guide them through breakthrough.
From Dubai to Hong Kong, Riyadh to Mumbai, thousands of people have experienced IMD Breathwork. They’ve cried, screamed, shaken, laughed, surrendered and walked out lighter. They’ve released grief they didn’t realise they were carrying. They’ve found clarity, calm, even physical healing in places they thought were stuck forever.
We believe this is just the beginning.
Because breathwork is for everybody, when it’s done with care. And if we do this right, we’re not just changing individual lives.
We’re building a movement. A global shift in how people heal, connect, and reclaim their power.
All through the breath.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Breathwork ‘Is’ For Everybody
So, is breathwork for everybody?
Yes. When done right.
Because everyone breathes. Everyone stores tension. Everyone deserves a safe, powerful way to let go. But we have to stop selling one-size-fits-all solutions.
IMD exists to honour the truth: that breathwork is as varied and vast as the human experience itself. It can be gentle. It can be wild. It can be joyful or cathartic. But above all, it must be safe.
So if you’re curious, come with an open mind. Come with your whole self. And know that however you arrive, there’s a place for you here.
You don’t need to be fixed. You just need to breathe.