Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Clear, honest answers about breathwork, massage, coaching and what to expect from SoulSync Wellness sessions.

About Breathwork

Breathwork is the deliberate use of breathing techniques to influence your physical, mental and emotional state. Unlike passive breathing, breathwork is intentional and guided. Different techniques produce different effects: some activate the nervous system and create alertness, others calm it down, and some, particularly rebirthing or connected breathwork, can access deeper emotional material. The common thread is that breath gives you direct access to your nervous system, something you can influence consciously.

Breathwork is for anyone with a nervous system, which means everyone. In practice, the people who tend to get the most from it are those dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, trauma responses, sleep issues, or a general sense of being stuck. It is also used by people who simply want to develop a regular self-regulation practice and deepen their awareness of their own body and mind. You do not need any prior experience.

Yes, when facilitated by a trained, trauma-informed practitioner. There are some contraindications, including certain cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, severe psychiatric conditions, and pregnancy. Joshua discusses these during the free discovery call before any session is booked. All sessions are adjusted in real time based on what is arising for you.

Most people notice physical sensations like tingling, warmth, or lightness. Some experience emotional releases such as tears, laughter, or a wave of relief. Others feel deeply relaxed, almost floaty. A few feel very little during the session itself but notice significant shifts in the hours or days after. There is no single right experience. What tends to be consistent is a sense of something shifting.

No. Sessions are accessible to complete beginners and require no physical fitness. The breath techniques used are adapted to each person. If you have any physical concerns, these are discussed before the session begins.

That depends on what you are working on. A single session can produce a noticeable shift, particularly for stress relief or emotional processing. For deeper work around trauma, burnout or long-term nervous system dysregulation, a series of sessions allows for more sustained change. The six-session series is designed specifically for this. Most people start with a discovery call and a single session to see how it lands before committing to more.

Meditation generally involves observing thoughts and returning attention to the present moment. Breathwork is more active: the breath itself is used as a tool to directly change your physiological state. Meditation can be mentally demanding, especially for people with anxiety or ADHD. Breathwork bypasses that challenge by giving the mind something concrete to follow. Many people find breathwork easier to access than meditation.

Types of Breathwork

Trauma-informed means that the facilitator understands how trauma affects the nervous system and adapts the session accordingly. Not every breathwork practitioner works this way. A trauma-informed approach means consent and choice are central, intensity is always adjustable, and anything that arises during a session is met with care rather than being pushed through. Joshua has personal experience of complex PTSD alongside his professional training, which shapes how he holds every session.

Rebirthing breathwork, also called connected breathwork, uses a continuous circular breathing pattern without pauses between the inhale and exhale. This sustained rhythm can access states that are difficult to reach through talk or regular relaxation. Emotionally, it can bring up stored material for release. Physically, it often produces warmth, tingling or energy moving through the body. It is one of the most powerful tools in Joshua's practice and is always facilitated carefully.

The Wim Hof method combines a specific breathing technique, cold exposure and mindset training. The breathing rounds involve deep inhales and relaxed exhales, repeated in cycles, followed by breath retention. This process oxygenates the blood, activates the sympathetic nervous system, and triggers the release of hormones including dopamine, adrenaline and endorphins. Joshua is qualified to facilitate Wim Hof breathwork and ice bath experiences for groups.

Massage & Coaching

Swedish massage is the most widely recognised form of therapeutic massage. It uses a combination of long gliding strokes, kneading, circular movements and gentle percussion to work through the surface layers of muscle. It improves circulation, reduces tension and promotes relaxation. Joshua holds an NVQ Level 3 in Sports and Swedish Massage.

Massage works on the body directly through touch. Breathwork works on the body through the breath. Both address physical tension and the nervous system, but via different routes. Many clients find them complementary: a breathwork session can shift emotional material, while massage addresses the physical holding patterns that remain. SoulSync sessions can combine both where appropriate.

Coaching at SoulSync draws on Joshua's ILM Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring, and incorporates motivational interviewing, emotional intelligence frameworks and somatic awareness. Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented but grounded in nervous system awareness. Coaching is not therapy. It works best for people who want to move forward, gain clarity, or develop themselves, rather than primarily process past trauma.

Therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapy, is a clinical intervention delivered by a registered mental health professional. Coaching and breathwork are not therapy and do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. That said, many clients use SoulSync sessions as a somatic complement to their existing therapy. Joshua works collaboratively and will always recommend professional mental health support where it is appropriate.

Booking & Sessions

That is exactly what the free discovery call is for. A 20-minute conversation is enough to understand what you are dealing with, what you are hoping to get from a session, and which service or combination is likely to be most useful. There is no obligation to book anything after the call.

The first session always begins with a conversation. Joshua will ask about your situation, what has brought you here, any physical or mental health considerations, and what you are hoping for. From there the session itself is guided and paced to what is right for you that day. Afterwards there is time to rest, integrate and ask questions. You will leave with a sense of what your next step might be.

This varies by insurer and policy. Some complementary therapy policies cover breathwork and coaching. It is worth checking with your provider. Joshua can provide receipts and session notes on request.

Online sessions run via Zoom. You need a device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a quiet comfortable space where you can lie down for the breathwork portion. A headset is strongly recommended. The experience is very similar to an in-person session: Joshua can see you throughout and adjusts in real time. Many clients find the privacy of their own space actually deepens the experience.

In-person sessions are available across Nottingham and the surrounding area, including West Bridgford, Beeston, Arnold, Hucknall and Carlton. Joshua also travels to clients and can work at your home, office or another suitable space. Contact us to discuss location options.

Use the booking page to schedule your free discovery call or a full session directly. If you prefer to ask a question first, use the contact form. Joshua typically responds within 24 hours.

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