Somatic Healing & Conscious Breathing: How Breathwork Rewires Trauma with Dr. Colleen Quinn, Author of Essence Merging

This week's Healing Her Story episode welcomes a guest whose healing journey took her from traditional psychology into the depths of breathwork, somatic healing, and spiritual transformation.Dr. Colleen Quinn is a transpersonal psychologist, breathwork practitioner, and author of Essence Merging -- a book that traces her path from health crisis to profound awakening and the discovery that love is the primary healer.But this carries profound wisdom about what becomes possible when we stop trying to think our way through trauma and start breathing our way through it.Riva opens up about her own synchronicities while reading Colleen's book, including deep connections to her breathwork practice and her recent studies on in utero wounds. This conversation felt destined.In this episode Riva and Colleen explore:How a health crisis became a doorway into breathwork and energetic healing after traditional psychology reached its limitsThe difference between fast paced and slow paced breathwork and why slower circular integrated breathing creates a safer, deeper healing environment for traumaHow breathwork activates DMT in the pineal gland lighting up the brain in ways similar to plant medicine experiencesWhy the body stores emotional energy for decades and how conscious breathing creates the conditions to finally release itThe concept of essence merging and surrender and why true surrender means detaching from the ego to fully merge with the present momentCollective awakening and what we are moving through right now and why love is the only true healer for physical, mental, and emotional painPractical ways to begin exploring conscious breathing even outside of a formal breathwork sessionThis episode is for anyone who has done the talk therapy, read the books, and is ready to go somewhere deeper.Connect with Dr. Colleen Quinn:WebsiteSelf Therapy BookColleen’s YouTubeColleen’s Book: Essence MergingSend us Fan Mail Our intro and outro song, Reclamation (Reborn), is an anthem of remembering.This song was created as a companion for the healing journey, especially for women reclaiming their voices, their rhythms, and their belonging in a world shaped by patriarchy.You’re invited to listen, feel, and let the music meet you wherever you are.Looking for support? Here's how to go deeper:Book a Somatic Assessment: Your 75-min 1:1 virtual session to explore what your body is holding and shape a personalized care plan. Book HereFree Trauma Recovery Mini-Course: A self-guided intro to trauma recovery and nervous system care. Download Here1:1 and Group Support: Virtual and in-person offerings. Learn MoreMeditations on Insight Timer: Guided practices for nervous system regulation. Listen HereWatch Reclamation: A music video and expressive arts project. Watch HereFollow on Instagram: @healingherstorypodcastSubscribe so you never miss an episode. Email [email protected] or DM @healingherstorypodcast on Instagram.