Just breathe
February 11, 2025 - Tingling toes, a ripple of laughter, a flash of color before your eyes. All signs you’re breathing yourself better, brighter, and more blissful with Michael Clarke’s guided breathwork classes.
Currently on a coddiwomple around his native New Zealand, we caught up with Michael Clarke, a core member of the Six Senses Wellness Innovation Team, to get the lowdown on how we’re introducing breathwork to Six Senses. If you’re questioning the word above, the Collins English dictionary definition is: “To travel purposefully towards an unknown destination.” For Michael, this is his philosophy in both life and breathwork.
Harness the power of breath to feel happier and healthier
With a background in hotel and spa management, Michael has; “Tried a lot of things in my life but one thing I’m still endlessly curious about and fascinated by is breathwork.” Following an intense and powerful one-to-one session, he was hooked. The transformative impact of simply focusing on his breath for an hour gave him an unexpected natural high and spurred him on to become a breathwork guide certified by the Hale Center in Sweden.
Michael believes everyone can have a similarly transformative experience. As he puts it; “Breathwork practice is an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you. By setting an intention at the beginning of your class and allowing the session to unfold, you can embrace your emotions as they arise.” Michael adds that every response is welcomed and encouraged; “Allow yourself to giggle. Welcome the tingly feelings in your fingers and feet. Feel your emotions releasing. But don’t force it. Just breathe and embrace the process.”
Breathwork sessions with Michael range from gentle introductions for the breathwork curious to advanced sessions for more outcome-focused experiences via spiritually cathartic classes that activate a natural high. For those wishing to dive deeper with a bespoke experience, one-to-one sessions offer an hour-long practice tailored to you.
Whatever you choose, each session opens up a space for a joyful experience. Breathwork brings a mixture of playfulness and laughter, stillness and calm, where you can explore your emotions in a safe and gentle environment.
Where science and spirituality meet: what to expect from a session
Each non-touch class follows a similar ritual and engages all the senses. First you enter the Breathing Circle and settle into a cozy nest with a soft mattress, pillow, and blanket. Relaxing to Tibetan bowls or soothing chime music, you don an eye mask to heighten your senses while being guided through rounds of conscious breathing, culminating in a 10-minute landing phase where you mellow out, absorb the emotions, and let the session’s benefits sink in.
“Guests often experience a ‘wow, what was that?’ moment during their first session,” Michael notes. As New Age as that might sound, it’s all thanks to the science. Studies show that breathwork can have a powerful impact on the central nervous system, leading to measurable improvements in stress levels, mood, and overall well-being.
Put another way, breathwork can influence the nervous system in ways that enhance mood and promote relaxation. It can shape your physical and emotional state, bringing about a sensation similar to a high-intensity workout: you feel simultaneously relaxed, focused, and euphoric. “It’s none of the exertion, all the feels,” Michael jokes.
Joy for all
One of the greatest strengths of breathwork is its inclusivity. “Almost anyone can participate,” Michael emphasizes. “If you find meditation challenging, breathwork can be an accessible entry point into conscious relaxation.” If you have no medical conditions, there’s no need for preparation, just an open mind and a willingness to embrace the process. Each session is unique, even when you take the same class.
Breathwork has deep roots. The ancient Greeks used breath control to enhance public speaking, while Indian yogis developed Pranayama for spiritual connection. In China, practices like Qigong and Tai Chi have balanced life energy for over 4,000 years, and Buddhist breathwork has long been practiced to enhance mindfulness.
Today, breathwork is uniquely suited to address modern challenges. From improved sleep and reduced stress to enhanced athletic performance and resilience, the benefits are vast. Breathwork activates the vagus nerve, calms the mind, and provides a reset that leaves you ready to face the world with renewed energy and clarity. “When you arrive feeling tired from travel or overwhelmed by daily life, breathwork is the perfect way to let go and reconnect with yourself,” Michael explains.
Breathwork is an ongoing journey. “The beauty of breathwork is that there’s never an endpoint,” he says. “It’s a continual flourishing, both for myself and for those who join our classes.” And with that, Michael’s off on his coddiwomple, traveling with purpose to an unknown destination, somewhere in the epic wilds of New Zealand.
Try it yourself
As our specialist breathwork visiting practitioner, you can find Michael at Six Senses Fiji from May 10 to 31, 2025. Look out for breathwork classes launching across our resorts later this year.