Breathwork, Definition

Breathwork is a guided practice that uses a specific, conscious breathing pattern to shift a person's physical and emotional state, often producing a deep sense of release or an altered state of awareness. It draws on decades of practice from teachers like Wim Hof and Stan Grof, along with older traditions of meditation and pranayama.

Galactic Breathing, Jason's version

Jason Donaldson created Galactic Breathing, his own method, self certified, inspired by Wim Hof and Stan Grof breathwork (he did not train with either), and shaped by years of distance running and a long meditation practice. He calls it "an experience and a ceremony, not just a breathing exercise." A 90 minute session moves through meeting and settling, light movement, usually Qigong, guided meditation and intention setting, heart-centered energy work inviting guides and ancestors, then three rounds of breath, each ending in an inhale, hold, release, and rest. "The first round is all most people will need." The third round runs deepest, where altered states are common, followed by a longer pause, often channeled messages, a grounded return, and integration.

Why breathwork works the body this directly

Changing the rhythm and depth of breath changes the body's chemistry and nervous system state in ways that are well established: faster, deeper breathing patterns can shift carbon dioxide levels and activate a stronger physiological response, while the hold and release at the end of each round lets that activation settle back down. That settling is where much of the felt release happens. Jason runs three rounds rather than one long continuous breath, giving the body a chance to build, release, and rest in stages rather than all at once.

This is also why breathwork can bring up strong emotion or physical sensation that a person didn't expect walking in. It's a relaxation technique, but it's also more than that: it moves real physiological and energetic material, which is why Jason keeps the container gentle. No forcing, no shame if a round feels like enough, and a longer integration period built into every session rather than rushing straight from breath to conversation.

Breathwork beyond Galactic Breathing

Breathwork as a general category covers a wide range of styles, from slow, calming patterns aimed at nervous system regulation to fast, activating patterns aimed at releasing stored tension, sometimes called somatic breathwork. Different teachers and traditions emphasize different pieces of this spectrum. Some focus purely on the physical mechanics: oxygen, carbon dioxide, and how the body responds to each. Others, including Jason's, treat the physical mechanics as the doorway into something larger: intention, ceremony, and connection to guides and ancestors.

What ties these approaches together is the basic premise that breath is one of the few autonomic processes a person can consciously direct, and that directing it deliberately can shift far more than oxygen levels. For what a full guided session actually looks like, see what an energy healing session involves or start with Galactic Breathing itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is breathwork safe?

Jason's sessions are built to be gentle: no screaming or forcing, and clients are asked to eat and drink lightly for about an hour before a session. It is complementary, not a replacement for medical or mental health care.

How is Galactic Breathing different from other breathwork styles?

It is Jason's own method, blending Wim Hof and Stan Grof influences with ceremony, intention setting, and guide and ancestor invitation, structured as three rounds rather than a single continuous breath pattern. Read more at Galactic Breathing.