Recently, I’ve been working on a seminar/workshop for teams, whether in the Health, Sports, Creative, Tactical or Business field. The focus is on applying Breathwork to create group resonance and group flow. The art and science of triggering individual flow states is well established, so it seems to me that group flow is the next natural step.
We aim to trigger a spontaneous, unconscious, energetic connection or synchronicity among individuals–a shared emotional and psychological experience, where personal egos dissolve and everyone seems to meld into a single organism and a “group mind.”
If people already agree to a common goal, mission, aim, or purpose, they are spiritually ripe and ready for a transcendent collective experience. Breathwork can trigger that higher level of human potential. It brings to mind the old adage: “We is smarter than me!”
And so this month I want to share some of what we have been learning and practicing to take joint missions, teamwork, collaboration, and connection to a whole new level.
First of all, we need to come fully into our own body and into the present moment. We need to show up fully for ourselves, and as ourselves. That means bringing conscious awareness to our body and our breath. It means gathering up and focusing all of our energy and attention.
To do this we breathe. We open and expand and we relax and let go. We infuse every cell with breath energy, and we connect to the light and life within us and around us. We simultaneously extend our energy beyond the borders of our body, while also dropping down and turning inward toward our center or source deep within.
In other words, we enter into our individual flow state. Then we are ready to take the next step into group flow. We do that by practicing something as simple as Coherent Breathing together at a rate of 5 seconds in and 5 seconds out.
Within 5 minutes everyone’s heart rhythms will begin to synchronize and our Heart Rate Variability will stabilize. This is a great way to start any meeting, shared task or group project.
The next step is to energize and ground the collective field, to shift from scattered to focused, or from sluggish to energized. For 2 or 3 minutes we do “Wave Breathing.”
Everyone inhales together with the intention of actively generating uplifting energy, and then exhales together with the intention of grounding this energy. Visualization is an important piece of this practice. Each person imagines the team as one organism, pulsing in unison. I suggest using a 2 second inhale and a 3 second exhale.
Another technique that can be used is Box Breathing. Inhaling to a count of 4, then holding the breath and feeling the power and energy for a count of 4. Then exhaling for a count of 4, and holding for a count of 4 while feeling stillness and presence.
These exercises can be done with eyes closed in order to tune into and sense the group connection. And it can be done in a circle with eyes open to signal, acknowledge, and share the feeling of coherence, resonance, and unity.
Another powerful technique is a sharp synchronized exhale, like martial artists use, or in a huddle in football, when a play has been decided and everyone is ready to run it. It can be a simply loud shout: “Hah!” It is a way to unite everyone’s energy and powerfully express the collective readiness.
To support group flow in creative or collaborative work, teams can make use of entertainment practices, by group chanting, toning, or simply humming together in unison. To create powerful emotional resonance, each person focuses on breathing into their heart while generating gratitude and appreciation for others in the group.
Another powerful practice is “Breath-led Transitions” and “Breath Cues,” such as a deep group breath to highlight a shared decision or the completion of an agenda item, or as a way to begin a new task, focus, or phase of planning.
Paired Breathing is also a very valuable practice. The idea is to mirror each other’s breathing, while engaging in soft eye gazing. This co-regulation builds trust as well as physiological, psychological, emotional, and energetic coherence.
During retreats or “Outward Bound” gatherings, the best thing is to schedule a Guided 4-Phase Group Breath Journey: Grounding, Activation, Surrender, Integration.This creates a powerful resonant collective “field” that results in deep bonding.
Finally, it’s a good idea to make use of music, movement, biofeedback and technology during these practices, such as breathing and HRV monitors, or projectors and screens to help the group visualize their common intentions and shared meditations.
I’m just scratching the surface here as I create a 1 to 3 hour seminar, as well as a full day and weekend workshop experience that we can take to teams, clubs, corporations, organizations, churches, businesses, and other groups.
If you would like to organize or host a “Breathwork for Teams–Creating Group Flow” event, or if you know someone who is, please contact: office@breathmastery.com.
Wishing you much luck in your practice,
And many blessings on your path!
October, 2025
Breathmastery.com
