othership: shift your state one breath at a time.

For anyone who hasn’t tried a breathwork session before, can you explain how it works and why its so amazing and beneficial?

Othership: Breathwork is basically just a fancy way of saying breathing exercises. The techniques that exist today range from ancient practices to modern researched-based exercises. Breathwork has gained popularity in recent years due to its instant effect on the nervous system for anxiety and stress management. It is a transformative practice that guides you through intentional breathing patterns to shift your state of mind and body.

The beauty of breathwork lies in its ability to create profound changes—whether you’re looking to elevate your mood, connect more deeply with yourself, or simply breathe out the stress of the day, with absolutely nothing needed except your breath. It’s a journey inward, and the benefits ripple outward into your daily life.

The Othership breathwork app launched in December 2021; what was the vision behind the development?

Othership: Our very first offering was via Zoom – we practiced together with our community every Sunday. When our breathers started asking for the recordings, we made a quick and easy web portal to log in and see the new practices. As we grew our community, the requests for the app were becoming more and more frequent – and Othership Breathwork was born.

Who is the app designed for?

Othership: The Othership breathwork app is designed for anyone seeking to shift their emotional state, find balance, and experience transformational moments. Whether you’re new to breathwork or not, the app offers guided sessions that meet you where you are. It’s for those looking to elevate their energy, reduce anxiety quickly, calm their mind, or explore deeper self-connection—anytime, anywhere.

I love the music and variety of sessions; there are tracks for every mood and intention. Can you tell me a bit more about the tracks and how the sessions are designed?

Othership: What makes Othership App so different, is how music-driven it is. The tracks on the app are crafted to resonate with every mood and intention, blending immersive music with guided breathwork to create a sensory-rich experience. Harry and Amanda, our 2 co-founders and the lead content creators do an incredible job with curating most of the sessions.

I really enjoy this active form of meditation. I struggle to sit in silence, empty my brain, and think of nothing, but with these sessions, I can be active and still get into a meditative state. Can you explain more about that?

Othership: Traditional meditation often focuses on stillness, quieting the mind, and finding peace in the present moment. It can be challenging, especially if you find it hard to sit in silence or quiet your thoughts. Breathwork, on the other hand, is active. Instead of focusing on stillness, you engage in rhythmic, intentional breathing patterns that naturally guide your mind and body into a meditative state. The physical act of breathing gives you something to focus on, helping to quiet the chatter in your brain and anchor you in the present moment.

For those who struggle with traditional meditation, breathwork offers a dynamic alternative. It allows you to actively participate, making it easier to access those deep, meditative states without the pressure of trying to “empty” your mind. You’re moving, breathing, and transforming—all while still reaping the benefits of mindfulness.

The app has been a lifesaver when I find myself in stressful situations. I can choose a down regulated breathwork session and change my state in an instant. Can you explain how breathwork can control emotions and the nervous system?

Othership: Breathwork is a powerful tool for managing emotions and regulating the nervous system because it directly influences the body’s physiological state. When you engage in down-regulated breathwork, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. This helps to slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure, and promote a sense of calm.

By consciously controlling your breath, you can shift your emotional state by reducing the body’s stress response. Slow, deep breathing signals to the brain that it’s safe to relax, which can ease anxiety, reduce stress, and bring clarity to the mind.

Essentially, breathwork gives you the ability to take control of your internal environment, allowing you to shift out of stress and into a more balanced state, whenever you need it.  Regular practice can benefit physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and many breathing exercises for better breathing can help you instantly and over time.

I find it can help in so many ways, depending on what I need in that moment. One of my favourite tracks is Breath of Gratitude with Harry & Jude. I love how they guide you into reflecting on the people you love to say thank you to. We may not always get a chance to say thank you in person to those we love, but gratitude from the heart can be so powerful. What impact has the Othership app had on people’s lives?

Othership: For many, the app has been a lifeline in stressful moments, providing immediate tools to manage anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. Others have found it to be a gateway to deeper self-awareness, allowing them to uncover and work through emotions they hadn’t fully explored. Othership has become a transformative tool, empowering users to take control of their emotional health and connect more deeply with themselves and others.

Do you need breathwork experience to use the Othership app?

Othership: Not at all! No prior breathwork experience is needed to dive in. Many of the breathwork techniques are very simple and easy for anyone to practice. If you are new to breathwork, we have a section on our app called “How + Why”. Here you can start your breathwork journey. We like to joke that we’re all experienced breathers.

How many tracks do you offer, and who are the facilitators you have onboard?

Othership: We have about 600+ sessions with over 30 top breathwork facilitators.

What are some of the features that make Othership stand out from other breathwork apps?

Othership: The app offers a wide range of guided breathwork journeys, from quick mood shifts to deep, extended sessions, all backed by science-based techniques. It provides a gateway to transformative breathing experiences. What truly sets the app apart are the immersive soundscapes, carefully curated by our talented facilitators, designed to elevate your breathwork experience to new heights.

If anyone wants to give it a try, what track do you recommend starting out with?

Othership: We offer and rotate 5 free sessions regularly for everyone to try our sessions before they sign up for a membership. Each session offers a unique experience tailored to your level of comfort, but here are a few of our favourites, “Feel Good Now”, “Inner Warrior”, “Feel Fantastic Now”, Altitude Lounge”, & “Permission to Let Go”.

Thank you for developing this powerful transformational tool, which I hope continues to grow and amplify in our community so everyone can experience the life-changing power of breathwork.

Othership: Thank you for your kind words! We’re grateful to be part of this journey and excited to see our community grow. Together, we can continue to spread the life-changing power of breathwork.