Breathing Coach vs. Breathwork Coach: Which One Is Right for You?

For those of you who are new to breathwork and are somewhat overwhelmed by the different types of breathing techniques and the names that coaches go by then you aren’t on your own. Simply searching online for a coach comes up with so many different options from pranayama to box breathing.

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This short blog sets out to discuss some key aspects relating to the differences between breathwork coaches/breathwork instructors and breathing coaches/breathing instructors and the techniques they generally teach. For simplicity, we will call them breathwork coaches and breathing coaches during the next few minutes read!

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Breathwork coach, Breathwork instructor, breathing coach, breathing instructor- The differences are very subtle so when searching for a breathwork or breathing coach take a look out for the following to help simplify things.

Breathwork Coach/Instructor

• Breathwork typically refers to a broader set of techniques and practices that involve conscious control and manipulation of one's breath for various purposes, including relaxation, stress reduction, emotional release, and personal growth.
• A Breathwork Coach/Instructor specialises in teaching and guiding individuals through various breathwork techniques and exercises. They may help clients explore different breathing patterns, rhythms, and methods to achieve specific mental, emotional, or physical outcomes.
• Breathwork can encompass a wide range of practices, such as pranayama (from yoga), conscious connected breathwork, holotropic breathwork, rebirthing breathwork, and more. A breathwork coach may incorporate these techniques into their sessions to help clients achieve specific goals.

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When I think of a breathwork coach, my mind is filled with hyperventilation techniques that are based on emotional and trauma-releasing practices. Think Wim Hof-style breathing with circular and rhythmic breathing using through the mouth. These practices aren’t for everyone as they can further stress the body and nervous system and in an age where stress and/or anxiety/panic disorders are a common health issue, this can be problematic to some people. However, that’s not to say it’s the right thing for you.

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If you do choose this type of breathing and it fits what you are looking for, it’s important that you do research on the practitioner or facilitator. Ask to see qualifications, experience, and trusted testimonials and speak to them about their practices and how they monitor your health leading up to the sessions such as health questionnaires.

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There are some amazing facilitators out there who do amazing work but do be careful and spend time doing your homework. If you are stressed, anxious, or have panic attacks, you don’t want to have a bad experience and heighten any mental and physical emotions so talk to the facilitator first. Breathing practices should be positive and happy experiences with a desired outcome.

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Breathing Coach/Instructor

I’m a breathing coach and founder of The Breath Coach. The following is a basic description of what I do and what I offer my clients.

• A Breathing Coach focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a person's natural breathing patterns. They work with individuals who have breathing-related issues like asthma, breathlessness at rest, poor health, fatigue, poor sleep including snoring and apnea, stress, and anxiety, IBS, difficulty taking a deep breath through to those wishing to improve their performance in sports and life.
• At The Breath Coach, I coach athletes to perform to their potential by focusing on their foundation of health, sleep, diet, and data markers such as respiratory rate, BOLT score, and HRV. I then look at their performance and breathing and implement intermittent hypoxic hypercapnic training into their training to boost their efficiency by increasing oxygen delivery, ventilation, lung capacity, VO2 max, EPO, and hematocrit.
• A breathing coach uses science over ‘woo woo’ (this isn’t my favorite word but most people can relate to this) and can assess and devise bespoke and personal programs to increase health, happiness, and performance.
• A breathing coach doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to breath coaching and devises programs based on the client’s goals and physical and mental health. No one client is the same and no one breath is the same. They are fluid in their approach to coaching, understanding, and recognise the differences in people.
• A breathing coach can use their knowledge to enhance emotional and physical wellbeing by drawing on a range of knowledge including sports science, physiology, and psychology, to help clients achieve their specific goals related to their breathing.

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In summary, the primary difference lies in the scope and purpose of their practices:

• Breathwork coaches focus on conscious and intentional control of breath for holistic purposes, including emotional release and trauma, personal growth, and relaxation.
• Breathing coaches focus on optimising natural breathing patterns, often for specific health, performance, happiness, and therapeutic reasons.

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However, it's essential to note that there can be overlap between these roles, and some professionals may incorporate elements of both breathwork and breathing coaching into their practice, depending on the needs and goals of their clients. The specific approach and techniques used can vary widely among individual coaches and instructors.

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With this in mind do your homework, seek reassurance, and follow your instinct on choosing the right person for your own personal wants, desires, and goals and not because someone says it worked for them. Everyone is different and that includes the coaches.

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I hope that this brings some clarity to what can be a confusing experience when choosing a coach and breathing modality. If you have any questions please let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them.

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You can visit my ‘Breathe with me’ page and book a free 30-minute consultation to see how I can help you achieve your potential in health, happiness, and performance.

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