If you’ve ever wondered what your breath is capable of, now’s your chance to find out. This April at Sage + Sound, join renowned breathwork teacher George Ramsay for a transformative weekend. In his Introduction to Active Breathwork training, George blends science, spirit, and somatic wisdom to help you explore breath as a tool for clarity, creativity, and emotional release. Whether you’re brand new to the practice or looking to deepen your journey, this immersive experience offers a safe, supported space to connect with your breath — and yourself.
Space is limited, so sign up now! Read on to learn more about the workshop and the power of breath.
Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you to breathwork?
I grew up as a competitive swimmer, so I was always really conscious of breath. Later, when I was teaching middle school, I started going to yoga classes to decompress. At the end of one class, we did a breathwork session — and it was the fastest I had ever released stress from my body. It felt more efficient than ten years of therapy, and I did it on my own, without saying a word. I felt this deep sense of clarity afterward. No one in my life knew what breathwork was, so I started learning with a teacher in LA named David Elliott. I eventually began teaching in LA about seven years ago, hosting friends and family in my living room for breathwork sessions and brunch. It grew from there — now I work with clients one-on-one, lead group sessions, and train other breathwork teachers.
That teacher sounds pivotal. Was there a lesson or mantra from your early training that stuck with you?
One of David’s core philosophies was, “Where attention goes, energy flows.” Breathwork is a somatic, body-based practice — when we intentionally direct our attention into our bodies, especially the emotional body, we can begin to unstick old energy. I’ve released limiting beliefs and emotions I didn’t even know I was carrying. Every time I practice, I find more personal freedom.
You’re leading a training weekend here at Sage + Sound. What can participants expect?
We’ll start by doing a lot of breathwork together. From there, we’ll explore why it works — the science behind how it impacts your physical body, your mental clarity, and your emotional health. We’ll break it down into three key areas:
Body – how breathwork impacts the nervous system and creates new physical sensations.
Mind – how it can help you de-stress, focus, and even spark creativity.
Heart – how it helps you access and process emotions in a grounded way.
Do people need any experience with breathwork to attend?
Not at all. If you’re curious and willing to take a deep dive, this is for you. Some participants might be considering becoming facilitators, while others just want a deeper relationship with their breath. All you need is openness and a willingness to explore.
You use the term “active breathwork” when talking about this workshop. How is that different from other types of breathwork?
Breathwork is any intentional breath-based practice. Active breathwork is a specific three-part breath done lying down, usually through the mouth, in a cyclical pattern. It’s designed to drop you into an altered state — and in this training, we’ll do sessions that last about 30 minutes.
Breathwork has become such a buzzword in wellness — why do you think it’s resonating so much right now, especially in New York?
A lot of people have tried meditation or yoga, and they hit a wall. Breathwork is a beautiful in-between. It’s active, so you’re engaged, but it doesn’t require the same physical intensity or stillness. It gives you access to deeper states of reflection — ones that can be hard to tap into otherwise — in a way that feels grounded and accessible.
Breathwork can unlock some intense emotions. How do you create a safe space for that, and why do you feel Sage + Sound is a good environment for it?
The physical space at Sage + Sound is really special. It feels like a cozy, protected womb — with everything from blankets to eye masks so people feel held. I always offer a full introduction to the practice, including what can come up physically, mentally, and emotionally. During sessions, I move around the room offering support, and the music helps people drop in even more deeply. It’s a safe container for whatever needs to move.
What do you hope people take away from the weekend?
I hope people walk away with a deeper relationship to their breath — and an understanding of just how powerful it can be in helping you support yourself, anywhere, anytime. I also hope they have real experiences of transformation, and maybe move through something they’ve been feeling stuck in. There’s so much power in doing that within a group setting.
Can we do some rapid-fire questions?
Of course!
Personal mantra you return to?
It’s safe for me to be in my body. I come back to that often during breathwork.
One word to describe how you feel after a really good breathwork session?
Clear.
Advice for someone curious but still on the fence about signing up for your workshop?
This practice meets you exactly where you are. You don’t need any preparation. Just show up with something in your life you want to shift — and be open. That’s enough.
Sign up for George's Introduction to Active Breathwork training.