Pause Breathwork

What is Pause Breathwork?

Pause Breathwork is a method where we use continual breathwork to break down emotions in the body that are stagnant and create heaviness on our energetic and emotional systems. Breathwork is a practice of allowing our systems to see a different perspective whereby we feel deeply connected to our bodies and understand and experience the intelligence contained within our systems. Pause Breathwork is a way to heal, release, and transform.


How is Pause Breathwork different from other breathing patterns and modalities?

The core difference is that Pause Breathwork is for healing and transformation. There are a lot of breathing practices where the goal or outcome is relaxation, but with Pause, relaxation and connection are an after effect of the practice. The goal with Pause is to unearth the stuck energy that prevents us from living in our highest alignment and operating in elevated frequencies. Pause breathwork uses intentional stimulation (breath, music, and movement) to regulate the nervous system and bring your body back into balance.


What are the different types of breathwork?

The Pause technique offers two types of breathwork practices: integrative and meditative. The integrative practices are the the practices that can be used during the day, in combination with your daily activities. The intention for integrative breathwork practices is rooted in relaxation and mental clarity. The meditative practices are for transformation. Meditative practices are done lying down on a mat in private or with a group. Meditative practices are guided by a trained Pause Facilitator.


What are the benefits of breathwork?

Here are the most common benefits:

  • Immediate stress reduction & anxiety relief.
  • Connect with your emotions & change your response to them.
  • Revitalizes your organs.
  • Gives you access to your higher power.
  • Reduces toxins in your body & provides an energetic release.
  • More energy & mental clarity.
  • Deepens your relationship to your body.
  • Release trauma that has been stuck in your system for years.

What are common side effects of breathwork?

Breathwork is a completely safe practice; however, the body will respond in physical ways that may seem odd. Tetany is the most common physical side effect; it’s where your hands will curl inwards toward your heart. This usually passes within 15 minutes of completing the practice. Your ears may ring for about 20 minutes after breathwork. During the session, your body may shake, move around, or you’ll feel the need to scream. This is all part of the energetic release.


During breathwork, my mind is constantly telling me I should stop. What does this mean?

The mind is trying to keep you safe – it’s doing its job perfectly. You need to discern the difference between the mind creating chaos or the body being resistant to breathwork. When moving through the breath, keep checking in with your body.


I’ve experienced a lot of trauma in my life, can I still do breathwork?

Yes, but start extremely slow. Start with the “Take a breather” audios, which will keep you in a conscious state. Don’t move into the “Go on a journey” audios until you feel safe with the sensations that breathwork brings to your system. Also – our trained Pause Breathwork Facilitators are trauma informed specialists – if you’d like support as you embark on your breathwork journey, please reach out.


My hands are cramping – is this normal?

Yes, this is completely normal. This is called tetany, an involuntary contraction of the muscles leading to temporary paralysis of some part of the body, usually the hands, feet, face, or around the waist. It can be a little painful, but is perfectly harmless. It will pass as soon as you soften the exhale. Tetany can be caused by over breathing past the point of what the body feels is normal. It usually arises from resistance to unconscious material wanting to come to the surface. The energy escapes from our extremities–our hands–thus causing tetany to occur. Tetany in the hands can mean you’re holding onto something. If this happens, ask yourself: what am I holding on to?


I feel a lot of uncomfortable emotions. Is this part of the process?

Completely, in fact, this is exactly what we want to happen. The intention with Pause Breathwork is to release the emotions that are on the surface. The stuck energy we are holding onto needs to be released with crying, screaming, shaking, and moving the body. Each practice will be completely different. Allow for the variety – some breathwork experiences will be blissful and loving, others will be more intense. Trust that whatever experience you’re meant to have will unfold.


I am getting visuals, is this normal?

Completely normal. When we are releasing energy from the body, we will tap into emotions that call upon images from this life or previous lives. About 30% of people will get visuals when they are doing breathwork, or they will begin to get visuals the more they practice breathwork.


Is breathwork safe for pregnant women?

Breathwork is not recommended for pregnant women. The practice can create intense emotionality within the system, which may create emotional disruption for the baby. Breathwork is highly recommended prenatal to allow for the release of past trauma and to create a healthy energetic environment for the baby, as well as postnatal. Breathwork is safe to use when breastfeeding.


I have high blood pressure, is this safe for me?

If you have any medical conditions or are currently taking medication, please consult your doctor before starting breathwork. Medical conditions may include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, depression, kidney disease, heart disease, chronic panic attacks, and asthma.


Is breathwork safe for children?

Breathwork is safe for children; however, being in an altered state of consciousness with intense emotionality might be jarring on their system. For children, sticking to the Pause Integrative Exercises (the “Take a breather” audios in the app) will be most appropriate. This decision is ultimately up to the caregiver or parent.


How often should I do breathwork?

It’s recommended to use the “Take a breather” sessions once or twice daily depending on your levels of stress and anxiety. Creating time and space to use the “Go on a journey” audios twice per week is recommended. With this recommended use, you will begin to emotionally shift on a deep level. Your mind will experience a deepened state of clarity and focus, and your emotional body will feel grounded and have a felt sense of safety and contentment.


I’d like to be supported during my breathwork sessions, can someone help?

Yes of course. We have a team of certified Pause Breathwork Facilitators who have all been trained by Samantha Skelly. These facilitators would love to support you on your breathwork journey. Please reach out to our team at and we will pair you with a facilitator.


Where can I go if I want to become an official Pause Breathwork Facilitator?

It’s so exciting that you’re interested in joining our mission to bring the power of breath to the world. You can apply at We run our training twice per year in San Diego, California.


I’d love to have some human connection as I go through the breathwork sessions. Is this possible?

Of course – there are a few ways you can do that. Twice per week within the app, we will have “The Breathing Room,” which will be LIVE Breathwork sessions led by a Pause Breathwork Facilitator. If you want a deeper connection, you can work one on one with a Pause Breathwork Facilitator. Email us at for more info!