Steve Charles - Personal Breath Training for Improved Wellbeing and Performance

I'm Steve Charles, an independent breath trainer working in Amsterdam – in English or Dutch

Personal breathwork training

I look forward to helping you with breathwork techniques I draw from a spectrum of tried-and-tested methods, including connected breathing, yogic breathing (pranayama), systema, Buteyko, functional breathing, hyperventilation (Wim Hof style and others), freediving and complete diaphragmatic breathing, alongside proven anxiety reduction exercises.

Steve Charles leading an introductory group session

Who can benefit?

Breathing exercises are powerful, multi-purpose tools for fixing all sorts of health issues. The latest science shows that applying the correct breathing techniques helps a wide range of wellbeing needs around tension, anxiety, sleep, apnoea, fatigue, posture, fitness, blood pressure, asthma, mood disorders and more.

immediate and enduring benefits

My 360 approach

Your priorities, needs and situation are unique. Experience has shown me that personalised, fine-tuned coaching that draws on multiple techniques has the best immediate and enduring benefits. Different types of breathing have different positive effects on the body and mind – there's no single method that works for everyone. Together, we'll find the combination that works best for you.

Your breath toolkit

Come to me if you are looking for support in learning to breathe in ways that improve your physical, emotional and/or mental state. I will introduce you to the breathing exercises that meet your needs, and help you integrate them in your daily life. You will gradually build your very own breath toolkit – use it whenever and however you want.

What my clients say

Here are some kind things my clients wrote AFTER breath sessions with me … (scroll on for a few quotes from DURING the sessions).

NORA, social care coach

Steve's coaching and guidance were heaven-sent for me. It was an intense, stressful period in my life and I know for sure that the diaphragmatic breathing I learned from him has been a huge help to me: I’ve been able to regulate myself and stay stable, and be a rock for other people as well. Steve has a clear, effective and straightforward way of guiding you in simple steps to apply this tool in your daily life. I now do it every day and it brings me instant clarity and calmness.

RUPERT, psychotherapist

From the start of our work together Steve was compassionate and professional. He was thorough in his initial assessment of the difficulties I needed help with and clear, respectful and patient as he guided me through the exercises he recommended.I have no hesitation in recommending him as a breath coach.

SUSANNE, performer and developer

I always used to breathe much too high in my chest, which increasingly interfered with my day-to-day activities. I noticed a difference after just one session with Steve Charles. He gave me the tools I needed to free up my breathing, and now I feel healthier in my body. Using the techniques Steve Charles taught me feels like an extra support during my workout.

BAREND VAN DER KAR, psychiatrist

I have found Steve to be a pleasant and very proficient breath coach who is calm, respectful and serious in his work.

IVANA, masters student

I have learned a lot from Steve's breath coaching. It’s partly because of the exercises and enjoyable conversations with him that I have developed tools to deal with stress and shortness of breath. Steve takes the time for you, has a personal approach and is curious about your experience. He is incredibly passionate and motivated and ensures the coaching is as enjoyable as possible for you.

BILL, actor and teacher

As an actor and voice practitioner, I'm no stranger to breathing techniques, but with Steve I re-learned to engage my flanks and diaphragm, increasing my lung volume and control over my pacing. Professionally, the process and multiple a-ha moments of discovery are a source of quietness that underpin my vocal delivery of texts and songs. On a personal level, Steve’s techniques have a calming effect on the inner chatter of the mind, and his chilled and respectful approach contributes to your individual development.

And here are some things my clients said DURING breath sessions ...

'I want to be able to feel like this all the time.'

'That's good. I feel very, very calm.'

'I'm now able to step back from situations in daily life and reflect on them better before reacting.'

'I feel like how I imagine it feels to meditate.'

'I don't need to take anything to feel good – I can do it myself with my breath!'

'I notice I'm better at taking decisions – decisions that feel right and somehow closer to me.'

'This is the first time I can remember ever feeling so quiet in my mind.'

'Wow … lift off!'

The basis

Science and personal experience

We humans have been incorporating breath practices in spiritual and physical exercises for thousands of years. Scientific research is identifying exactly why these practices work. There are now proven direct links between breathing and heart rate, the autoimmune system and anxiety, for example. And we know exactly how best to retrain our brain and body to breathe better. I've been practicing and reasearching a range of these methods for more than 25 years.

The focus

Key elements of my method

Tuning the exercise programme to your unique situation.
Developing your breath awareness and breathing muscles.
Retraining your breathing habits so you automatically breath better – even when you're not thinking about it ;)
Improving the balance of oxygen & carbon dioxide throughout your body – leading to all-round health benefits.
Being sensitive to YOUR needs!

The results

Mental calmness, emotional stability and physical efficiency

After each session you can expect to feel fitter, calmer and more comfortable in yourself than when you came in. The in-session and at-home exercises will improve your breathing in daily life, no matter what activity you are doing – from sitting at the computer to working out. You'll be better able to deal with life’s mental and physical challenges – even enjoy them!

Feel fitter, calmer and more comfortable in yourself

The sessions

In-depth intake session

We’ll start by assessing your priorities, finding the best approach for you, and doing the first exercises. Many of my clients want to reduce anxiety and increase calmness, while others are looking to raise their energy levels, improve breathing efficiency for fitness and performance, or tackle bronchial issues, for example.

Foundational sessions

Working at a pace that suits you, over a recommended 3 to 5 sessions you’ll build knowledge, experience, body awareness, musculature, intensity and effect. I will also give you some short and simple exercises to do at home, so you can gradually retrain your breathing and reap all the health benefits.

Follow-up sessions

Once we've covered and practiced the recommended exercises, you may want refresher sessions – you're welcome to book a session with me often as you like to embed and enrich your breathing experience.

Group sessions

I give occasional group sessions to introduce more people to to my method. Check Staetsgeheim in Amsterdam for my upcoming group sessions.

Steve Charles leading an introductory group session

In our breath sessions together we'll...

identify your personal priorities – with optional focus on breathing to benefit daily activities, calmness, sleep, voice, asthma/bronchial symptoms, and more
look at the mechanics of how we breathe
optimise your breathing style
use specific breathing muscles and intensities for specific effects
explore different breathing methods
develop calm, resilient breathing for daily life
integrate functional breathing in physical exercise
learn powerful personalised in-session exercises
choose the best at-home exercises for between sessions (just a few minutes a day)
pay close attention to session-on-session progress.