Sacred Breath or Quick Fix? Questioning the Rebirthing Craze.

This might ruffle a few feathers, but I feel called to share it…

I’m currently in India, immersed in practice, learning, and reflection – and something’s been sitting with me for a while now.

Extreme breathwork is having a moment. And honestly? I’m feeling a bit conflicted about it.

There’s been a real surge in practices like rebirthing breathwork – intense sessions that claim to unlock trauma, reconnect you with your inner child, and bring about deep emotional healing. These workshops are now everywhere – not just in the West, but showing up in global wellness spaces too.

And while I completely understand the appeal, having recently attended one of these sessions myself – purely to witness and experience it first-hand – I came away with questions.

The premise of rebirthing is to use prolonged, intense breathing to push into altered states – often unleashing emotion, catharsis, and energetic release. People scream, cry, let go of deep-seated pain. It can look (and feel) dramatic and powerful.

But powerful doesn’t always mean safe. Or integrated.

Opening up decades of stored trauma in a two or three-hour group workshop – without proper follow-up, support, or integration – feels like dangerous territory to me. I’ve seen people walk away quite destabilised by what came up for them, without any clear path for how to hold or heal it afterward.

In the yogic traditions here in India, pranayama was never treated casually. It’s considered an advanced, subtle practice. On the 150-hour pranayama course I did, the very first teaching was about respect. Respect for the breath. For its power. For its potential.

So when I see it now being packaged as a quick fix, or a trendy shortcut to healing, I feel a little uneasy.

That said – don’t let this put you off the breath. Quite the opposite.

Here on retreat in the Himalayas, I’ve been reconnecting with the quieter side of pranayama – under the guidance of a young but deeply grounded teacher who has clearly done the work. These simple, consistent breath practices are truly changing the way I feel – calming, enlivening, centring.

So yes, I’ll continue weaving these practices into my own life – and when the time feels right, I’ll bring them into my teaching and retreats too.

To sum it up: pranayama is a beautiful, transformative path. Just start slow. Be guided. Stay grounded.

And if you feel called to explore the deeper, more intense side like rebirthing, please go in with eyes wide open – and a support network or teacher you genuinely trust. The breath is a powerful tool – it deserves care and respect.

Breathe well. Feel deeply. Be fully alive.

And as always – feel free to disagree with me in the comments. I welcome the dialogue. 🙏🌬️✨