What is Conscious Connected Breathwork?
There’s a certain kind of tension that doesn’t go away with rest…
A tension that’s nestled deep in the body. Hard to access. Hard to name.
And often untouchable by thinking or talking your way through it.
The access point
Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB) is one way we access that layer.
It uses a continuous, intentional breathing pattern to create movement in the nervous system to bring to the surface what’s been sitting underneath.
“So we’re talking about tapping into the subconscious and expanded states of consciousness?”
Yes.
But before the “this sounds kind of woo” thoughts creep too far in…
The physiology
This is still physiology, and was actually first developed in the western world by Stanislav Grof, a psychiatrist who used LSD in psychotherapy to help patients access deep subconscious trauma. That is, until the use of psychedelic therapy was banned in the late 1960s. In pursuit of continuing his work and research, he sought a non-substance method to induce the same altered states of consciousness. And with the help of his wife, Christina, he found it!
Faster, more active breathing temporarily changes CO₂ levels, blood flow to the brain, and most importantly, shifts the nervous system into a more activated state.
This state shares some physiological and experiential similarities with other non-ordinary states of consciousness, including those reported in psychedelic experiences, where perception, emotion, and internal material can become more accessible. It’s like a trip, but with more control. You’re not completely strapped in for the ride.
And, interestingly enough, this temporary stress on the system can actually be beneficial.
Short, controlled stressors like this have been shown to promote phycological resilience over time; what’s known as a hormetic effect (Kartar et al., 2025).
How my approach differs from most
There are many different kinds of Conscious Connected Breathwork. The method I guide is called the Sacred Breath Method (SBM).
It’s structured, guided, and supported the entire time.
This method, along with my functional breathing foundation, is where my approach differs from most.
Most CCB is done through an open mouth on both the inhale and exhale. The Sacred Breath Method uses a nasal inhale and a mouth exhale.
This difference is intentional and relates to how different breathing routes influence nervous system activation, as well as the physiological effects of habitual mouth breathing on regulation and respiratory efficiency.
With an open mouth on both inhale and exhale, it’s easier to over-breathe, taking in more air and dropping CO₂ more quickly. This can create a very intense experience, which for some people can become overwhelming, doing more harm than good.
Inhaling through the nose naturally moderates this. It slows ventilation, supports more stable CO₂ levels, and helps prevent the system from tipping fully into sympathetic over-activation.
This allows you to still enter a deep, activated state without being pushed all the way into fight-or-flight.
My functional approach
Most breathwork spaces screen for general contraindications like medical history or mental health.
I do this, as well as look at how someone is actually breathing day to day.
Because if someone is already over-breathing, breathing through their mouth, or stuck in a shallow chest pattern… adding a more intense breathing practice on top of that can push them further into imbalance instead of helping them release.
Research supports the idea that faster breathwork can be beneficial when it’s applied in a controlled, balanced way, especially when balanced with slower techniques as well (Siebieszuk et al., 2025).
But without that foundation, it can be too much for the system.
Before going deeper, the foundation has to be there so that the experience is actually supportive for your system.
If it is, this kind of work can be powerful.
If it’s not, there’s a better place to start. (You can check out my functional breathing program here).
An invitation
I’ll be guiding a virtual breathwork journey on July 11, 2026.
If you’re feeling that deeper layer of tension and are ready to explore it in a different way, you can learn more by clicking the link below!