Breathwork, Healing & the Art of Coming Home to Yourself.

Written by Freedom Mercado

When I sat down with breathwork instructors Lawrence and Calvin, it was immediately clear that their work goes far beyond technique. There’s a grounded presence in the way they speak—a calmness that feels earned. I opened our conversation by asking what first inspired them to begin practicing breathwork and meditation.

Lawrence told me his journey began during a period of nonstop hustle, bouncing from contract to contract and climbing the corporate ladder until his nervous system was stretched thin. “I didn’t know it then, but my nervous system was fried,” he said, describing the constant pressure to secure the next project. Everything shifted when Calvin reached out, sensing something off, and introduced him to breathwork. “Once he introduced it to me, the rest was history.”

Calvin’s path, on the other hand, was shaped by his upbringing. Raised by Vietnamese refugee parents who survived being rescued at sea, he grew grew up in an environment defined by survival, scarcity, and relentless work. “I thought that was just the way life was supposed to be,” he said.

But the stress eventually manifested physically—tension, dis-ease, and a dysregulated nervous system—until a yoga class cracked something open and led him toward deeper healing.

Calvin and Iris from all that meditate

Calvin and Iris instructors from allthatmeditate

Curious about how they translate their experiences into teaching, I asked how they would describe their styles to someone completely new. Lawrence explained that their approach is intentionally introductory, grounded in humility and lived experience rather than guru-like authority. “We’re all students of this work,” he said. “We teach what we’ve learned from our own journey.” Calvin described his style as gentle, grounded, and approachable—designed to help people feel safe rather than overwhelmed. “It’s not about forcing an experience,” he said. “It’s about creating space for people to reconnect with what’s already within them.”

We moved into the misconceptions people often have about meditation and breathwork. Lawrence pointed out that many assume the practices are mystical or unscientific, unaware of the extensive research from institutions like Yale, Stanford, and the National Institutes of Health. “Breathing is our control panel for the nervous system,” he said. “Most people don’t realize there’s a correct way to breathe.” That opened the door to a deeper discussion about the techniques they teach—diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, 4-7-8, pursed-lip breathing, alternate nostril breathing, resonance breathing, lion’s breath, coherence breathing, and the three-part breath—each chosen for its unique ability to calm the mind, balance energy, or improve oxygen efficiency.

When I asked how they tailor sessions for people with different needs or limitations, they emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every session is shaped around the individual’s goals, whether that’s grounding, emotional regulation, stress relief, or simply learning how to breathe with awareness. The first change clients usually notice, they told me, is presence. “The mind is calm. The body is calm. The breath is calm.” It’s a shift that often happens quickly, and it’s one of the reasons people return.

Lawrence shared how he integrates breathwork into his own life, describing his morning practice as non-negotiable. “It brings me into a parasympathetic state,” he said. “I’m no longer reactive. I’m intentional.” We talked about the challenges beginners face—self-doubt, impatience, and the fear of “doing it wrong”—and they explained that their role is to support, not convince. “We’re here for the people who are ready,” they said. Their sessions often incorporate additional modalities—mindfulness, tai chi, qi gong, sound baths, reiki, and even art therapy—to deepen the experience and offer multiple pathways into healing.

As our conversation wound down, I asked what they hope clients take away from working with them long-term. Lawrence answered with a clarity that felt like the heart of their mission: “I hope they grow into a more centered, present version of themselves—someone who can regulate their emotions, remain calm amid distractions, and become the master of their own inner world.” Sitting with them, it was easy to understand why their work resonates. In a world that moves fast and demands more, Lawrence and Calvin offer something rare: an invitation to slow down, breathe, and return to yourself.

allwhomeditate.com