What is Breathwork?

Unlike meditation, where we are aware of the mental chatter, Breathwork is an active, efficient, effective technique that will allow you to disconnect from the mind, enter a different state of consciousness, and bring you to a deeper state of connection and love. You will lay down, music will be played, and you will actively engage in the three-part breathe. Read more below for what to expect during Breathwork, benefits and outcomes of Breathwork, the types of Breathwork offered, testimonials, common questions, and preliminary science behind Breathwork.  

What to expect during Breathwork? 

You lay on the floor, music is played, you breathe, and I will coach you through the active breathing for approximately 20-25 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of relaxation. Each Breathwork session is unique and experiences can be different for each individual or from one Breathwork session to the next. 

What are the benefits of Breathwork? 

  • Reduced stress, tension or constriction

  • Feelings of love, peace, and gratitude, clarity, connection

  • Release of trauma or mental, physical and emotional blocks

  • Release anxiety, depression, fear, grief, anger, stuck energy

  • Access to unconscious memories relevant to your healing path

  • Deeper states of consciousness, vision quest downloads, inspiration

  • Downloads about your work, finances, relationships, health conditions

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What are outcomes of Breathwork?

Breathwork can open meridians and channels, align your body and its energy, and create a revelatory and healing experience. The beauty of Breathwork is that it is natural so that you and your breath become the source of answers to questions, insights to challenges, freedom from feeling stuck, downloads to what's next for you, your life and your work in the world. 

As with any self-care practice, the most important way to learn if it's useful and helpful for you is to experience it for yourself. I look forward to serving you and your journey.   

 

Gwen is now offering ACTIVATION Breathwork Training

The training starts SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 at 10 am pst

Learn more, Apply, and register your spot


ADditIONal Options for breathwork with gwen

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breathwork Circles

In ancient times men and women gathered at the new and full moons to connect with themselves, their communities, the astrological and lunar bodies.

As modern men and women, living in a fast paced culture, we have lost touch with the sacredness in the cycles of nature, the moon, and our bodies.

Join a virtual Breathwork Circle through the monthly Expansion Membership. In the membership you receive 1 Breathwork Circle, 1 Akashic Record Circle, 1 Expert Workshop, 1 Book Club Circle, and more to come.

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Private breath sessions

Private breath work sessions can be done virtually or in-person. If you would like Gwen to breathe in-person and for Gwen come to you, there is a travel fee.

In a private session, you will receive personal attention, and a combination of spiritual psychology, process work, ancestral medicinne, and breath work.

Gwen offers 90-minute sessions for individuals, couples, private groups, and corporate teams. Book a session below or email Gwen’s team for a private circle at team@gwendittmar.com

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Breathwork courses

Gwen has a collaborative course with mindbodygreen where you will receive a practical, step-by-step guide, and 16 lessons to Breathwork techniques to reduce stress, clear stagnation, reconnect to your life force, and develop deep abundance in your personal, professional and spiritual life. This course is usually $249 however if you use the link below and the coupon code GWEN for an extra 20% off the Breathwork Course with Mindbodygreen. Gwen also offers the Activation Breathwork Training if you would like to become a facilitator. Apply here.


*all sessions must be booked and paid in advance, and Breathwork waiver signed

*no refunds/credits for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice for sessions, classes, workshops, circles


breathwork Testimonials: 

It took me two to three months to get myself to Breathwork because my ego was resistant. Even after I arrived, there was a part of me that was still looking for a way to leave. Yet once I laid down and did the Breathwork, I had one of the best experiences of my life. It was the first time I cried since my mother passed away eight years ago. Gwen holds a space that has deep medicine and it cracked me open. It was transcendent.

Dr. Christian Gonzalez, Naturopath, Oncology Expert, Heal Thyself Podcast

 

I was a skeptic with an open mind prior to my first experience doing breathwork with Gwen. Before we began, she talked us through some of the sensations we may or may not experience (I didn't think I would experience any of them). Turns out, I experienced ALL of them - it was one of the most profound experiences of my life. From skeptic to believer, there's no going back - breathwork is here to stay in my life. 

- Julie Neumark, Owner, Neu Marketing Group

 

When I got home after the Breathwork Class for men and women, I had a voicemail from someone i was interested in from a dating app. We talked on the phone for three hours, and although I don't know what will happen next, what is so empowering is that i don’t care because my heart feels open. I stepped OUTSIDE of my comfort zone and I had an incredible time in the brethwork class. So much gratitude for gwen and her services.

- Amy Shafer, Professional Caretaker, Los Angeles, CA

 

I had a very powerful session with GWEN, who used the power of breath to shift barriers, instigate my inner voice, and call in my guides. During my session, I was visited by a beautiful energy, a grandmother figure that radiated a violet energy. After my session, where I entered into a deep meditative state, Gwen said my solar plexus was shouting out to be heard and to write, which I know to be my greatest calling. Thank you so much Gwen! It opened up so much for me. Its flowing.

-Karly Ryan, Social Media Consultant & Photographer @karlycakesss, Los Angeles California

 

I've done yoga, meditation, and kundalini yoga before but breathwork was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. All I can say is wow. It helped release trauma, anger, insecurity, blocks and much more. I felt like I left my body. I’m definitely doing more.

- Lee Tilghman, Blogger, Influencer @leefromamerica, Los Angeles, California

 

the magic i felt from gwen’s social media was present in our first phone call and in her brooklyn breathwork class. gwen creates an impeccable sacred space, healing transformation. I relaxed, I learned. I encourage you to take Gwen’s classes, workshops, on-line programs, and experience the magic for yourself. 

- Jill Gropper, Gabrielle Bernstein & Lifestyle Coach, New York City, New York

 

I discovered Gwen through a google search in Jan 2018, and have attended her circles every month for an entire year. I have also brought friends and my husband to her breathwork classes. Gwen's healing has transformed my life. Gwen is a gifted facilitator, she leads powerful meditations, shares ancient wisdom, and holds space for unlocking and expanding. breathwork is the most powerful medicine I have experienced - activating, empowering, unblocking and opening. Gwen gently and powerfully guides participants through uncharted territory, and champions you to own the powerful wisdom that lies within each of us. I have brought all my closest friends to experience the wonder and mystery of Gwen's circles. she had made a tremendous difference in my life and the lives of those I love.

- Marla Brennan, Musician, Puppeteer, Los Angeles, California

 

i am in awe of what manifested after my breathwork session.  one week after our session, I reconnected with a long lost family member. The Connection was so strong and I am now planning a trip to visit them. i Can’t wait for the next session. Thank you for the circles, the breathwork and the coaching.

- Rebecca Figueroa, Director Brokerage Operations, Long Beach, California  

 

I'm totally blissed out after doing breathwork with gwen. She's an amazing facilitator and I highly recommend working with her.

- Alison Wu, Blogger, Influencer @alison_wu, Portland, Oregon

 

I’ve done breathwork before, but this session was extra special. the energy and space felt safe and lovely. It healed me and I’ve been more connected to my intuition since breathing with you.

- Caroline Zuleta, Life Coach, Los Angeles, CA

 

Things have been amazing since our virtual session. i have been enrolling 5 people into my practice daily and blowing my goals out of the water. i truly I feel like I am living on the mountain tops, jumping from mountain to mountain without coming down. Thank you again. I have been able to do breathing for a few minutes at a time to clear stuck energy which has been a FANTASTIC tool for daily living.

- Tara Page Truax, Master Certified Health Coach, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

 

I don’t even know where to begin. Thank you. wow. thank you. Truth, I assumed nothing much would happen, however I just went with it. what a ride it turned out to be. I am already experiencing the beauty of breath work two days later. My experience included levitation as if My soul lifted off the mat. I felt my cells vibrating. My visions were of my husband and myself. We are currently separated as we need to be at this point in our LIFE. I was gifted visions of our most precious and powerful moments that I had long forgotten. I had forgotten the power of that life force. It was a spiritual, beautiful, life-changing moment. It restored hope to me in an area of my life I had almost given up on. Thank you.

-Teresa Weichmann, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

I was unsure of what would be revealed in Breathwork. When I started breathing I discovered that I still needed to learn to love to myself when I felt tranquil and balanced versus only when I was chaotic or struggling. I look forward to making Gwen's Breathwork class part of my regular self-care. 

- Stephanie Speights, Sustainability and Zero-Waste Consultant, Los Angeles, California

 

Gwen held a safe and sacred space. I came in feeling uncertain and blocked. I left vibrating and alive. i was more creative the following day than I have been in years and have been since. I am so grateful. 

- Rianna Scipio, Imagine Sober Living, Los Angeles, California

 

This is not your typical laying down type of meditation. breathwork is focused, controlled, rhythmic breathing from deep inside. at the end of the class, I felt stress free and focused, Like I had a great workout but I never moved. I Highly recommend it!

- Carrie Murray, Founder BRA Network, Sherman Oaks, California  

 

Breathwork is sacred and Gwen holds the safe and loving space necessary to experience the delicious releases or awarenesses that Breathwork may bring when in session.  She's the guide and the master. So grateful for her coaching expertise, loving spirit and the insights I've gained working with Gwen!

- Martha Jeffers, Medicine Woman, Los Angeles, California

 

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Questions and Answers:

 

Can I practice Breathwork at home by myself? 

It has been suggested by my teacher, David Elliott, that someone have enough practice being guided through Breathwork before you practice on your own at home. The reason this is suggested is because if you encounter something you are unsure of how to navigate, you can alternatively reinforce negative breathing mechanisms and emotional traumas instead of releasing them. To truly release emotional blockages we must feel safe and supported and be assisted through other specific techniques to uncover whatever is hiding in our subconscious. In my own personal experience, I practiced Breathwork with a facilitator weekly for approximately six months before I felt grounded to practice on my own with YouTube or iTunes guidance. 

 

Is every Breathwork session the same? 

Yes and no. The way that I structure the sessions are the same. However what comes forward can be different from session to session. The the material that surfaces in each session is different is because we are energetic beings. We collect energy from the people, places and things around us. Sometimes we need to learn how to relate to ourselves in certain ways before the deeper healing can come forward. Therefore when we breathe, whatever is present inside of us, whatever is present outside of us, whatever we have collected along the way, and whatever is ready to be revealed and healed, is what will evolve during the session. 

 

Is all Breathwork the same? 

No. There are many different types of Breathwork and ways to facilitate Breathwork as a healer. The types of Breathwork that I have experienced and learned about, are called Rebirthing, Holotropic, Wim Hof, David Elliot and Coherent Breathing, ranging from most intense to least intense respectively.  The ways of facilitating Breathwork can range from intense, pushing to gentler and softening. Just as each individual has their own unique journey, experiences, personality and purpose, so does their way of facilitating Breathwork. Please keep in mind that just because one facilitator practices one way, that does not mean that is how all facilitators will practice. Just like it is so important to find a physician, therapist, coach or hair stylist that aligns with your energy and intentions, it is equally important to find a Breathwork Healer that aligns with you for the ego to relax and allow healing to occur. 

 

Research on Breathwork:  

In Yoga tradition, practitioners have been aware of the power of breath for thousands of years. Richard P. Brown and Patricia L. Gerbarg published on Yoga Breathing, Meditation, and Longetivity.

Psychiatrists and neurologists at Boston University, University of South Carolina and more are researching and noticing the profound effects of breathing in depression and anxiety. 

Andrew Huberman, Ph.D. a Stanford neuroscientist, studies breathing and its relationship to stress response. Other performance coaches, such as Jason Amoroso, are sharing it with professional athletes. 

Wim Hof featured in Discover magazine, who practices a different type of Breathwork, showed in a 2014 scientific study, that when injected with an inflammatory agent, Breathwork patients experienced lower levels of inflammation that would normally accompany receiving the injection. 

According to Gay Hendricks, PhD, a Dutch Study compared two groups of heart attack patients. The first group was taught simple diaphragmatic breathing, while the second group was given no training in breathing. The breathing group had no further heart attacks, while 7 of the 12 members of the second group had second heart attacks over the next two years. 

Jack Shield, MD conducted a study on the effects of breathing on the lymphatic system. Using cameras inside the body, he found that deep diaphragmatic breathing stimulated the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect, which sucked the lymph through the bloodstream. This increased the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal pace.

Neuroscientists are studying how different ways of breathing are engaging different parts of the brain, change the brain and improve performance, especially in stressful situations. 

Dr. Arthur C. Guyton, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Deepak Chopra have shared about the benefits of active breathing on public level.

Interesting funding efforts for a research study on Breathwork at Johns Hopkins from Jamie Wheal at the Flow Genome Project. They are sponsoring a first of its kind new study with Dr. Matthew Johnson at Johns Hopkins University (one of the lead psilocybin researchers behind all of the studies you've been hearing about) on the impact of Breathwork on PTSD. They. are raising $15K for the first phase of the study design. Here's how you can contribute.