Breathwork for Anxiety and Trauma Recovery: A Safe, Somatic Approach

Jul 15

2 min read

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If you’ve tried therapy, meditation, or even medication but still feel anxious, tense, or stuck in old patterns — it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because most healing approaches don’t address the root of the issue: the nervous system.

That’s where breathwork comes in.

This post explores how trauma-informed breathwork can help you safely process anxiety, release trauma, and reconnect with your body using a somatic, science-backed method — especially if you’re in Long Island and looking for real change.

😰 The Link Between Trauma and Anxiety

Anxiety is often a symptom — not the problem. Many people living with anxiety are actually carrying unresolved trauma in their nervous system.

When past experiences aren’t fully processed, your body stays stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode. Over time, this chronic stress response shows up as:

Panic attacks
Insomnia
Racing thoughts
Emotional numbness
Chronic tension or fatigue

You don’t just need to talk about it — you need to release it from your body.

🌬️ How Breathwork Helps Heal Trauma and Calm Anxiety

Breathwork is a bottom-up healing modality. That means it works through the body (not just the mind) to create emotional and physiological shifts.

In Tony Prana’s trauma-informed SOMA Breathwork sessions, we use:

Rhythmic breathing to regulate the nervous system
Breath retention to access deep healing states
Affirmations + visualization to rewire the subconscious
Connection exercises to restore trust and safety

This combination activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), while giving the body space to release stored emotional energy — all without needing to relive painful memories.

🧠 What Science Says About Breathwork for Trauma

Breathwork is supported by research in fields like polyvagal theory and somatic psychology. It helps:

Increase heart rate variability (HRV)
Stimulate the vagus nerve (key to emotional regulation)
Decrease amygdala activity (reducing fear response)
Enhance prefrontal cortex engagement (restoring clarity and choice)

All of this helps move your body from survival mode into a state of safety and integration.

🙌 What to Expect in a Trauma-Informed Breathwork Session

Tony’s sessions are gentle, safe, and personalized. You’ll never be forced to push through emotion or go deeper than your nervous system is ready for.

Every session includes: