If you have searched for breathwork in Orlando, you may be wondering what actually happens once you settle in and start to breathe. Will it feel strange? Will you be told what to do the whole time? Is the tingling you read about normal? These are fair questions, and the more clearly you can picture the session, the easier it is to decide whether it feels right for you. Here is a walk through a somatic breathwork session with Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez, from the moment you arrive to the quiet time afterward.
What somatic breathwork is
Somatic breathwork is a guided practice that uses a particular pattern of breathing, usually paired with music, to bring your attention into the body. The word somatic simply refers to the body. Many people describe it as a way to slow down, notice what they are carrying and give themselves permission to feel it. It is not a medical treatment, and we do not present it as one. It is a structured experience that can support relaxation and self-awareness, and it works well alongside care from your doctor or therapist. Some clients pair it with clinical hypnotherapy, and Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez can talk with you about whether that combination suits you.
Arriving and setting an intention
You will begin with a conversation. Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez asks how you are feeling, what brought you in and whether you have any health concerns we should know about. This is also when you go over the safety notes below. Then you choose an intention for the session. An intention might be as simple as "I want to feel less tense," or "I want to make some space for myself." It is not a goal you have to reach. It is a gentle point of focus you can return to if your mind wanders.
Settling in and starting the breath
You settle back comfortably, in the same calm setup as a hypnotherapy session, or wherever you are comfortable at home if you join online, with your eyes closed or covered if you like. Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez explains the breathing pattern before you begin and guides you through it. Most somatic breathwork uses conscious connected breathing, which means the inhale flows into the exhale without a pause, usually breathing in through the mouth or nose and letting the exhale release easily. Music builds gradually through the session, and her voice is there to cue you, remind you to keep breathing and keep you company. You are never left alone with it.
What people commonly feel
Experiences vary from person to person and from session to session. Many people describe tingling in the hands, arms or face, sometimes a buzzing or pulsing sensation. Some feel their hands or mouth tighten or cramp for a while. Others notice warmth, a wave of cold, heaviness, lightness or a sense of the body releasing. Emotion can rise as well, such as tears, laughter or a feeling you cannot name yet. For some people there are waves of deep calm, and for others the session is quiet and subtle. None of these responses is better than another, and nothing is required of you.
Why tingling and cramping happen
The tingling and cramping have a plain physical explanation. When you breathe faster and more deeply for a sustained stretch, you breathe out more carbon dioxide than usual, and the level of carbon dioxide in your blood drops. That change commonly causes tingling in the hands and face and can cause the muscles of the hands or mouth to tighten temporarily. It is a known and expected response to this kind of breathing, and it is not a sign that something is going wrong.
It also passes. When you slow your breathing down, carbon dioxide levels settle back and the sensations ease, often within a few breaths. If the tightness in your hands is uncomfortable, Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez will remind you to soften your hands and slow the breath, and you can do that on your own at any moment.
You are always in control
This matters more than anything else in the session. Breathwork is something you do, not something done to you. You can slow your breathing, change its rhythm, open your eyes, sit up or stop entirely whenever you want, with no explanation needed. Intensity is a dial you control. Many first-timers find that simply knowing they can ease off makes it much easier to relax into the experience.
How it differs from box breathing and Wim Hof style breathing
You may have tried other breathing practices, so a quick comparison can help. Box breathing is slow and even, usually a count in, a pause, a count out and a pause, and it is commonly used to feel calmer in the moment. Wim Hof style breathing uses rounds of deep breaths followed by breath holds, often paired with cold exposure. Somatic breathwork as we offer it uses continuous connected breathing without holds, guided with music and in the company of a facilitator, with time set aside for feeling and integrating what comes up. These are different tools with different purposes, and one is not better than another. It comes down to what you are looking for and what is safe for your body.
Integration and rest afterward
When the breathing phase ends, you return to your natural breath and rest. This quiet stretch is part of the practice, not an extra. Your body and mind need time to settle, and many people feel relaxed, spacious, tender or simply tired. Afterward we talk about what you noticed, if you wish to share, and you take your time sitting up. We suggest drinking water, being gentle with your schedule and noticing how you feel over the rest of the day. Insights do not always arrive in the room. Some people find that clarity comes quietly in the hours after.
Who should check with a doctor first
Breathwork is not right for everyone, and we want you to be safe. If you are pregnant, or have a history of heart conditions, high blood pressure, seizures or epilepsy, glaucoma or retinal detachment, recent surgery or a serious mental health condition, please talk with your doctor before trying breathwork, and tell us during your consultation so we can make a plan together. In some cases we may recommend waiting or choosing a different practice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, US).
Questions people often ask
Will I be able to stop if it feels like too much?
Yes. You are always in control of your breath. You can slow down, breathe normally, open your eyes or stop at any time, and Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez will support you in doing so.
Is the tingling or hand cramping dangerous?
These sensations are a common response to breathing faster and deeper, because it lowers carbon dioxide in the blood. They usually ease within a few breaths of slowing down. If you have a health condition that concerns you, check with your doctor before your session.
Do I need experience to try breathwork?
No. Most people in a first session have never done it before. You are guided through each step, and you are welcome to ask questions beforehand during a free consultation.
Can I do a session online?
Yes. We offer breathwork in person at our office near Orlando International Airport and online over Zoom for English speaking clients wherever you are. You can see current options on our pricing page and read more in our guide to what to expect.
If this resonates, you can learn more about somatic breathwork with Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez, or book a free 15-minute consultation with Shannon Rollins-Rodriguez, in person in Orlando or online over Zoom.