How breathwork calms the anxious brain

I’ll freely admit that I’m a bit of a breathwork geek. So I get excited when research backs up what I’ve experienced again and again whilst offering breathwork in my practice.

What’s the latest?

A team at the Salk Institute has discovered the brain circuit that helps slow our breathing when we’re anxious. They have also shown that when this pathway is activated, it naturally reduces anxiety. You can access the study here.

In short:

• Slower breathing = less anxiety.

• In their study, mice with the circuit activated breathed more calmly and behaved less anxiously.

Why this matters for your clients

This kind of insight helps explain why breathwork can be so valuable for clients, especially when it’s offered in a way that is safe, manageable, and attuned to their individual needs.

And that’s exactly what I teach in my Breathing for Calm training. Designed specifically for counsellors and psychotherapists, this course gives you the tools and confidence to use calming breathwork effectively and ethically in your practice.

There’s an early bird rate available until 30 April 2025. Please click here to find out more.