Therapeutic breathwork offers a way of working with emotional difficulty that doesn’t rely on words alone.
What is therapeutic breathwork?
Therapeutic breathwork is a gentle, body-based approach that supports emotional wellbeing and nervous system regulation, helping to ease stress, anxiety and overwhelm through the breath.
When stress, anxiety, low mood or overwhelm become persistent, they are often felt as much in the body as in the mind — tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, constant fatigue, or a sense of disconnection. Talking can help bring understanding, but it doesn’t always reach what’s being held physically.
Therapeutic breathwork creates space to meet these experiences through the body and the breath.
What therapeutic breathwork can support
People often explore therapeutic breathwork when they’re experiencing:
ongoing stress or burnout
anxiety or nervous system overwhelm
low mood or emotional flatness
feeling disconnected from themselves or others
difficulty resting, switching off or sleeping
a sense of holding everything together internally
Breathwork supports regulation and emotional processing by working directly with the nervous system, rather than relying on insight or analysis alone. We do this not by forcing change, but by allowing the body to respond when it feels safe enough to do so.
Introductory Call
If you’re curious about therapeutic breathwork, the first step is a free introductory call. This gives us space to explore what you’re experiencing and whether this approach feels supportive for you at this time.
How breathwork supports emotional wellbeing
Breathing is closely connected to the nervous system. Under stress or emotional pressure, the breath often becomes shallow, restricted or held without conscious awareness. Over time, this can reinforce feelings of anxiety, agitation or shutdown. Breathwork works with the autonomic nervous system, supporting a shift out of fight, flight or shutdown and into a more regulated, settled state.
Working intentionally with the breath can help:
calm the nervous system
reduce the physical intensity of stress and anxiety
support emotional movement and release
increase awareness of internal states
create moments of steadiness and ease
For many people, therapeutic breathwork becomes a way of reconnecting with themselves when words feel limited or exhausting.
What to expect in a session
In a therapeutic breathwork session, the focus is on safety, pacing, and nervous system regulation. We begin by noticing how the breath is already moving, without judgement or expectation. From there, guided breathing practices may be introduced to support regulation, soften tension and allow emotions to surface safely.
For some people, this brings grounding and calm, for others, it may bring emotion, insight or release. Often, it’s quieter than expected — a softening, a deeper exhale, or a sense of being more present in the body. Nothing is pushed or required. The work unfolds in response to you.
Therapeutic breathwork can involve emotional or physical release, but release is never the goal.
Tears, sighs, warmth, shaking or a feeling of letting go can occur, so can stillness, rest or clarity. All responses are welcome.
What matters is not the intensity of the experience, but the sense of safety and integration that follows.
Book a 1:1 Breathwork Session
Sessions are suitable for both beginners and those with prior breathwork experience.
Sessions will last 50 minutes.
You may be offered exercises to try after or in-between.
Upon booking will receive an initial intake form that outlines your current health + mental wellbeing.
Online | In-Person coming soon
£55 per session
Meet the Practitioner
I’m Hayley Hildred, Owner at Studio Klys and Therapeutic Breathwork Practitioner.
I came to breathwork at a point where I could no longer think my way through what I was feeling. I was functioning, coping, and pushing on, but my body was telling a different story. Breathwork offered me a way to listen to that story without needing to explain or justify it, a way of meeting myself more honestly and with more care.
As a practitioner, I bring that experience into the room. I’m attentive to pacing, to what feels possible, and to the subtle signals that tell us when something needs slowing down rather than pushing through. I’m curious about the way people learn to hold themselves together, and how the breath can become a steady companion in moments of stress, emotion, or quiet unravelling. My role is not to lead you toward a particular experience, but to hold a safe, grounded space where your own rhythm can emerge.
I hold a Level 3 Award in Breathwork Coaching
Client Reviews
“Learning breathwork techniques for myself and doing 10 minutes a day changes my mood. I can role with the punches when things go wrong if I feel calm and centred.”
Adrian
“I struggle to switch off, so putting a session in the diary carves out the time. Ultimately I get more done when I've given myself some 'me' time”
Victoria
“I found the sessions with Hayley very calming, I came away feeling relaxed and zen like. I had an injury but Hayley adapted the sessions to work around my needs”
Kerry
Frequently Asked Questions
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Therapeutic breathwork is generally safe when guided appropriately. You’ll be asked to complete an intake form before your session to check suitability, as certain medical or mental health conditions may be contraindications.
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Therapeutic breathwork works directly with the nervous system and the body’s stress responses. While meditation often focuses on awareness, breathwork supports regulation and emotional processing through intentional breathing patterns.
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Talking is minimal. Breathwork offers a non-verbal way of working with emotion, which can be helpful when words feel limited or tiring. You’ll be asked some questions at the beginning, and a chance to check out at the end if you wish to do so.
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Therapeutic breathwork isn’t a replacement for counselling or psychotherapy. I see it as a complementary approach.
For some people, breathwork supports what they’re already exploring in therapy. For others, it offers a different way of working when words feel limited. We can explore what feels most supportive for you, and how breathwork might fit alongside other forms of support. -
No prior experience is needed. Sessions are adapted to meet you where you are, and practices are introduced at a pace that feels manageable.
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Online sessions are held via Google Meet. You’ll receive clear guidance in advance so you can join easily and feel settled. The session is paced in the same way as in-person work, with attention to safety so for this reason you’ll be asked to keep your camera on and be visible.
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There’s no fixed number of sessions. Some people find a single session helpful, while others choose to work with breathwork more regularly over time.
We will take it one session at a time, checking in as we go and allowing the work to unfold at a pace that feels supportive for you.
If you’d like to explore ongoing sessions, we can discuss what might feel most helpful based on your needs and capacity.
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You don’t need anything special. It can be helpful to have a few optional items nearby, such as:
a cushion or pillow
a blanket or throw
water
a journal and pen, if you’d like to make notes afterwards
Most importantly, you’re invited to come as you are. Comfort and ease matter more than preparation.
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Sessions are paid in advance at the time of booking.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, 24 hours’ notice is required. Sessions cancelled with less notice are charged in full. If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time. Arrivals more than 15 minutes late may not be able to go ahead and will still be charged. -
To protect confidentiality and create a safe, contained space, sessions are not recorded. Recording is not permitted unless there is prior written agreement. This helps ensure the work remains present, private, and focused on your experience in the moment.
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Yes. Breathwork sessions are available to clients aged 16 and over. This is due to insurance and professional requirements. If you’re unsure about suitability, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss further on hayley@studioklys.co.uk
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Breathwork sessions are offered on a 1:1 basis to ensure the session is tailored to you.
If you’re interested in sharing a breathwork experience with a friend or partner, small group sessions (up to 3 people) can be arranged by request.
Please get in touch at hayley@studioklys.co.uk to explore options and availability.