How SOMA Breathwork Helps You Release Stress You Didn’t Know You Were Carrying

August 13, 2025•4 min read

Let’s talk about “fine.”

You know the one.

When someone asks how you’re doing, and without thinking you say:
“Fine. Busy, but fine.”

But meanwhile:

Your jaw is tight.
Your shoulders are creeping toward your ears.
You realize you’ve been clenching your belly for hours.
You can’t remember the last deep, full breath you took.

That’s not “fine.” That’s hidden stress — the kind that lingers below the surface and silently drains your energy, focus, and mood.

And here’s the thing: most of us don’t even realize it’s there because it’s been with us so long it feels normal.

But normal doesn’t mean healthy.

That’s why I love SOMA Breathwork — because it doesn’t just talk about stress relief, it gives your nervous system a direct experience of it.

What is SOMA Breathwork?

If you’ve never heard of it, SOMA Breathwork is a rhythmic, guided style of conscious breathing that blends:

Ancient pranayama techniques (from yoga and Ayurveda)
Modern science of oxygenation, carbon dioxide balance, and nitric oxide production
Music and rhythm to help you enter a meditative flow state

In other words — it’s breath as medicine, backed by both tradition and neuroscience.

Unlike just “taking deep breaths,” SOMA follows intentional breathing patterns that:

Signal safety to your nervous system
Help release emotional tension stored in the body
Rebalance your brain chemistry for clarity and calm
Reconnect you to your own body and inner wisdom

Why Stress Hides in the Body

When we think of stress, we often picture mental strain: deadlines, big life changes, emotional challenges.

But stress is a full-body experience.

Here’s what happens:

You encounter a stressor.
Your body releases adrenaline and cortisol.
Your muscles tense, your breathing changes, and your heart rate increases.
The stressful event ends — but your body never fully discharges the response.

Over time, this creates:

Chronic tension (tight jaw, stiff neck, sore back)
Restricted breathing (shallow, chest-based breaths)
Emotional fatigue (feeling tired but wired)

The problem? You can’t think your way out of a physical stress pattern. You have to give your body a way to reset.

The Science of SOMA Breathwork Benefits

I know “breathe better” sounds simple, but here’s what’s actually happening under the hood:

1. Nervous System Reset

SOMA’s slow, rhythmic patterns increase heart rate variability — a sign of nervous system resilience. This moves you from fight-or-flight mode into rest-and-digest.

2. Nitric Oxide Boost

Breath holds in SOMA sessions increase nitric oxide in the blood, which:

Improves circulation
Enhances focus and mental clarity
Supports immune function

3. CO₂ Tolerance Training

Contrary to popular belief, CO₂ isn’t “bad” — it’s essential for oxygen delivery. SOMA trains your body to tolerate healthy CO₂ levels, improving endurance and calm.

4. Brainwave Shifts

Music + breath rhythm entrains your brain to slower alpha and theta waves, the same states linked to meditation, creativity, and deep rest.

My First SOMA Breathwork Session

The first time I tried SOMA, I thought,
“There is no way that just happened!”

That session brought vivid, solidifying images into my mind of what my life could be like.
Sounds kinda wild, I know, but it woke something up in me for sure.
Something that I had shoved down from years of stress.

I felt the beginning of me being free again...

By the end, tears slid down my cheeks. Not from sadness, but from the relief of letting go of tension I didn’t even realize I was holding.

Why SOMA Breathwork Works When Nothing Else Does

If you’ve tried:

Meditation but couldn’t quiet your mind
Yoga but still felt restless
Talking about your stress but still felt it in your body

…then SOMA Breathwork might be your missing piece.

Because it:

Doesn’t require stillness or silence — just following a rhythm
Gives you a felt sense of safety before your mind catches up
Works quickly — many people feel a difference in their first session

Who Benefits Most from SOMA Breathwork?

While SOMA is safe and beneficial for most, I find it’s especially powerful for:

BIPOC, Queer, and Neurodivergent folks navigating systemic and chronic stress
High-achievers who live in a constant “go” mode
Trauma survivors who find talking therapies exhausting
Creative souls looking to unlock flow and inspiration