Rebirthing breathwork is one of the most powerful therapeutic tools I work with. It is also one of the most misunderstood. The name sounds strange. The process sounds intense. And for people who have never tried it, it can feel like a big unknown. So this is an honest, clear guide to what rebirthing breathwork actually is, what happens in a session, and whether it might be right for you.
The basics: what rebirthing breathwork is
Rebirthing breathwork, also called connected breathwork or circular breathing, uses a continuous breathing pattern where there is no pause between the inhale and exhale. You breathe in fully, then let the breath out without holding or stopping, and breathe in again immediately. This circular rhythm, sustained for an extended period, produces states and experiences that other forms of breathwork and therapy rarely reach.
The name comes from the original practice developed by Leonard Orr in the 1970s, which was based on the idea that the breathing pattern could release birth trauma and other pre-verbal experiences stored in the body. Modern rebirthing and connected breathwork has moved beyond this specific framework, but retains the core technique and its remarkable capacity to access and release deep material.
What happens in the body during a session
The continuous breathing rhythm changes the blood gas balance in your body, increasing oxygen availability while also altering carbon dioxide levels. This produces a distinct altered state: physical sensations including tingling or warmth in the hands, face, or whole body, a feeling of energy moving, or in some cases temporary muscle tension or spasm (tetany), which is harmless and passes.
The altered state also seems to lower the usual cognitive filters, making emotional material more accessible. Things that have been stored below conscious awareness, grief, anger, fear, joy, can surface in this state and be released. Many clients describe feeling like a long-held tension has finally let go.
What it feels like
Experiences vary enormously from person to person and session to session. Common experiences include: physical warmth and tingling, a sense of expansion or lightness, emotional releases (tears are very common, as is unexpected laughter), vivid images or memories, a feeling of deep peace or completion.
Some people feel very little during the session itself but notice significant changes in the days that follow: better sleep, reduced anxiety, a sense of clarity or relief, a shift in a relationship or situation that has felt stuck. The session does not need to be dramatic to be effective.
Is it safe?
Yes, when facilitated properly. Rebirthing breathwork is contraindicated for people with certain cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, severe psychiatric conditions, and during pregnancy. These are always assessed before any session begins.
A trauma-informed facilitator works with what arises rather than pushing through it. The pace and intensity are always adjustable. You can pause or stop at any point. The session follows your nervous system, not a schedule.
Who is it for?
Rebirthing breathwork tends to be most transformative for people who feel like they have done a lot of cognitive work (therapy, journalling, personal development) but still carry something they cannot quite shift. It reaches material that talking rarely does. It is also used effectively for stress relief, burnout recovery, grief processing, and general self-development by people with no particular therapeutic need.
How many sessions do you need?
A single session can produce a meaningful shift. For deeper or more longstanding material, a series of sessions allows for a more thorough and sustainable change. The six-session series at SoulSync is designed to give the work enough space to go somewhere, rather than repeatedly opening a door and then closing it.