A guide to breathwork and where to practice in Sydney

Your breath is more powerful than you might think – it’s a natural tool for calming the mind, energising the body and even improving focus. While we all breathe instinctively, few of us do it mindfully or efficiently. Shallow, rapid breathing, which many of us fall into under stress, actually signals the body to stay on high alert, keeping us tense and agitated.

By learning to breathe deeply and with intention, you can activate the body’s relaxation response, lower stress hormones and even improve cardiovascular health. In short, when you take control of your breath, you’re benefiting your body – not just through oxygenation, but by tapping into a natural, easy way to feel more balanced, resilient and connected. This is where breathwork practice comes in.

At its core, breathwork involves intentionally controlling and observing your breathing patterns. By focusing on your breath and adjusting its rhythm and depth, you can enter a meditative, almost trance-like state. This practice can help release stored stress, foster emotional healing, and clear the mind.

Breathwork practices vary widely, from slow, controlled breaths to deeper, rhythmic patterns drawing upon yogic or therapeutic influences. The key lies in connecting to your breath and experiencing its transformative effects, both mentally and physically.

If you wanted to run a marathon, you’d start training your body by running more regularly to build up your endurance, right? Practicing breathwork benefits us by building a similar kind of endurance and resilience. Just as marathon training strengthens your muscles and cardiovascular system, breathwork strengthens your ability to handle stress, improve focus and connect deeply with your emotions.

By practicing conscious breathing techniques, you can develop a toolkit that helps you stay calm under pressure to enhance mental clarity and feel more grounded, even during life’s most challenging moments. And you might even just train your body to breathe better through your day-to-day.

Breathwork can also be a powerful tool for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and with the world around them. By focusing on conscious breathing, you can transcend the day-to-day chatter of the mind, accessing a place of stillness and clarity that can feel like connecting to something larger.

Many describe breathwork as a pathway to inner peace, a practice that quiets the mind and opens the heart, helping to release old patterns or emotions and make space for renewed purpose. Whether used as a tool for spiritual exploration or simply a grounding practice, breathwork can create a profound sense of harmony and a feeling of being truly present and at peace.

While breathwork and meditation often complement each other, they have distinct differences. Meditation typically involves sitting quietly, observing thoughts, or using guided visualisation to achieve mindfulness and presence. Breathwork, on the other hand, focuses on actively altering the breath.

Where meditation allows the mind to settle, breathwork is dynamic and energising, engaging the body in releasing stored tension and blocked emotions. Both practices promote self-awareness and mindfulness, but breathwork tends to have a more immediate, intense physical component, often leading to quicker emotional release and physical relaxation.

Sydney’s brimming with amazing spots to dive into breathwork, each offering its own unique vibe and techniques to take you on a transformative journey.

At SoulBreath in the Northern Beaches, breathwork is practised with an emphasis on emotional release and spiritual connection. Their sessions blend various breathwork techniques to support healing, foster self-discovery and guide you through an inner journey of release. This is an ideal choice for those looking to explore the spiritual benefits of breathwork in a safe, nurturing space.

Breath and Sound in Bondi offer powerful experiences that combine the meditative qualities of ambient music with conscious breathing to promote relaxation and calm - fostering deep healing and freedom.

In Manly, Ali Skiba combines breathwork with sound healing and voice activation to help you unlock your body’s natural ability to heal, relieve stress and anxiety and connect with your inner voice. Her unique approach provides a holistic experience that promotes both physical and emotional wellbeing. If you’re after a deeply personal experience, Ali also offers exclusive one-on-one sessions, creating a personalised, transcendental journey designed to meet your unique needs.

Nestled in Kingsgrove, Spirasana offers a holistic breathwork experience that blends mindful breathing with movement and body awareness. Their sessions focus on grounding and revitalising practices designed to relieve stress and boost mental clarity. Known for its nurturing and inclusive environment, Spirasana offers both group classes and private sessions depending on what you’re looking for.

Find Yourself offers weekly group breathwork experiences at True Woo in Cronulla. Each week, they explore a different breathwork style: Restorative, Breakthrough, Shamanic, and rebirthing. After one of these 1-hour sessions you’ll leave feeling grounded, centred, and present.