An Otherwordly Experience with Breathwork

One of the most transformative experiences I have ever had was with shamanic breathwork. I was at a retreat and no one had actually told me anything about what breathwork was or its transformative potential, but when I was asked if I wanted to join, I decided to see what it was all about.

Author: Meredith

Modality: Shamanic Breathwork

Location: Sedona, Arizona

One of the most transformative experiences I have ever had was with shamanic breathwork. I was at a retreat and no one had actually told me anything about what breathwork was or its transformative potential, but when I was asked if I wanted to join, I decided to see what it was all about.

At first, it was hard to believe that intentional hyperventilation could lead to such an intense, psychedelic-adjacent experience, but it did. After continuing to inhale and exhale, I was transported to another dimension where I was guided through some of the most painful experiences of my life, as well as those that appeared to be generational. I was able to witness these experiences, and the emotions associated with them emerged. There was both a deep sadness and a profound compassion for myself and for those who had perpetuated and instigated the trauma. Most of this emotion was purged through crying and intense shaking that co-occurred with the journey and the images I was seeing.

At the end, when there was a resolution, it felt peaceful, and I felt as though I had done ten years of therapy in one hour. What made the experience better than psychedelics for me was the feeling that I had some agency in it, which also helped me feel like I was part of the healing journey. Being able to witness my pain without having to vocalize it was very powerful, and it is an experience that I feel fundamentally transformed me.