Breathwork is having a moment in the therapy world, and for good reason. It’s one of the fastest, most effective ways to regulate the nervous system—when done correctly. But here’s the catch: not all breathwork techniques are created equal. In fact, some of the most commonly recommended ones, like 4-7-8 breathing and box breathing, can actually make anxiety worse for certain clients.
If you’ve ever had a client say, “Breathing exercises don’t work for me,” or worse, “That made me feel even more panicked,” it’s not because breathwork doesn’t work. It’s because breathwork is physiological, not just psychological, and the wrong technique can trigger the very symptoms we’re trying to reduce.
Why “Take a Deep Breath” Can Backfire
We all mean well when we tell an anxious client to take a deep breath. It seems like a simple, universally good piece of advice. But deep breathing isn’t always the answer—especially if the technique involves holding the breath or forcing a slow inhale.
For many people, especially those with anxiety, panic disorder, or trauma histories, structured breathwork patterns like 4-7-8 breathing and box breathing can feel like suffocation rather than relief. That’s because they often involve breath-holding, which increases CO₂ levels in the blood. While some people tolerate this well, others have heightened CO₂ sensitivity, meaning that an increase in CO₂ triggers breathlessness, dizziness, or panic. In other words, the exact physiological experience of an anxiety attack.
Another problem? Many anxious clients already feel like they can’t get enough air. Slowing their breathing too much, or asking them to hold their breath, can create air hunger, which makes them feel even more out of control. Instead of calming down, their nervous system ramps up its threat response.
And then there’s the issue of mouth breathing vs. nasal breathing. Most people default to mouth breathing when they’re anxious, but mouth breathing actually increases sympathetic activation (the fight-or-flight response). Breath techniques that don’t address how someone is breathing, not just the pattern they’re following, can be less effective, or even counterproductive.
So What Works?
This is the part where you might expect a list of techniques that work better. But here’s the thing: breathwork isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right breathwork technique depends on a client’s nervous system response, breath mechanics, and individual tolerance levels.
That’s why inside ClinicAlly Trained, we teach therapists how to assess a client’s breath patterns before recommending any technique. We break down the science behind breathwork, so you’ll never accidentally trigger dysregulation in session. Instead of generic “calming” breath exercises, we help you understand what actually makes breathwork effective, so you can choose the right method for each client, every time.
A good rule of thumb? Instead of rigid breath-holding techniques, prioritize exhale-focused, nasal breathing that’s client-led. But even that is just the beginning. Without a deeper understanding of breath physiology, nervous system response, and client-specific adaptations, therapists are left guessing. And guesswork has no place in evidence-based care.
Why This Matters for Therapists
Breathwork is an incredibly powerful tool, but without the right training, it’s easy to unintentionally reinforce dysregulation instead of relief. Yet most therapists receive little to no education on how breath actually affects the brain, body, and nervous system. Without a solid understanding of neurophysiology, neuroception, interoception, and respiratory physiology, well-meaning breathwork interventions can miss the mark.
Breath directly influences neurophysiology by modulating the autonomic nervous system, affecting everything from heart rate variability to vagal tone. Neuroception, the body’s subconscious threat detection system, can misinterpret certain breath techniques as danger rather than safety, especially in trauma survivors. Interoception, our internal awareness of bodily signals, shapes how clients experience breathwork. Some may feel regulated, while others may become more distressed. And respiratory physiology isn’t just about breathing deeply; it involves CO₂ tolerance, diaphragm function, and the biochemical effects of breath retention and pacing. All of these determine whether breathwork soothes or intensifies symptoms.
This is exactly why breathwork needs to be taught with precision, not just as a generic calming tool.
That’s why we created ClinicAlly Trained, the only 200-hour yoga teacher training built specifically for therapists, where you’ll learn:
✔ How to assess breath patterns and choose the right technique for each client
✔ The science behind breath physiology, so you never make an unsafe recommendation
✔ How to confidently integrate breathwork into therapy without overstepping your scope
✔ Real-world applications. Not just theory, but practice, so you can use these tools immediately
Want to Ensure Your Breathwork Recommendations Are Always Safe & Effective?
Inside ClinicAlly Trained, we don’t just teach yoga. We teach therapists how to use movement, breath, and somatic tools safely and effectively in private client sessions. No more guessing. No more accidental triggers. Just evidence-based, trauma-informed techniques designed for real therapists with real clients.
Don’t risk using the wrong breathwork techniques with clients. Join ClinicAlly Trained and get the education you need to integrate breathwork safely and effectively. Rolling Admission: Apply Now!