Athletes & Performance
Using the breath to prepare, perform, recover and manage pressure.
Chris Cook, Double Olympian and Commonwealth Champion — April 2025
“Steff’s sessions were a game-changer – insightful, grounded and incredibly impactful for any athlete wanting to harness the true power of the breath. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and can see how powerful this work can be when we harness it correctly – thank you Steff, great sessions!”
Richmond Dales ASC
“Steffy delivered a Breath workshop to our Para swim squad aimed at giving our athletes the tools to deal with stress an anxiety both before racing but also in everyday life. The workshop also focused on breathing techniques to deliver improved performance in the pool with information on Use of oxygen and CO2 tolerance. The session had plenty of information for the athletes & coaches as well as a great mix of practical exercises. A fantastic experience for us. Thank you Steffy”
Tyler’s mum — Young para swimmer — October 2026
“Steffy has worked absolute wonders with our son. As a young swimmer with autism, ADHD and anxiety, he has often found it difficult to cope with the pressure, noise and expectations that come with swimming galas. This could sometimes feel overwhelming for him and affect both his confidence and his performance.
From his very first session with Steffy, she took the time to understand his individual needs and found ways to work with him that he could connect with. She has given him practical breathing techniques and strategies to help him manage his anxiety, regulate his breathing and stay calm under pressure. We have seen a real improvement in his confidence and his performance in the pool, including his stroke and times.
What has been particularly amazing is that these techniques have become tools he can use independently. He continues to use what Steffy has taught him, not only to support his swimming but also to help him manage the everyday challenges he faces as a young person with autism and ADHD.
Steffy has been incredibly patient, understanding and supportive, and she has genuinely helped him believe in himself. The impact she has had goes far beyond swimming — she has given him skills and confidence that he can carry with him into all areas of his life.
We are incredibly grateful to Steffy and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a breathing coach who takes the time to understand and support each individual's needs.”
Mum of athlete (15 yrs) — September 2025
“She is constantly doing her breathing once a day, going between the 4-8-8 and the hypoxia training. She even used her breathing last night to quickly overcome the start of an asthma attack. She feels so much more in control. Thank you again so much xxx”
Jodie Hunter
“Steffy did a breath work session with my 12 year old daughter who is a keen swimmer. She sometimes struggles with anxiety and can become very overwhelmed. Steffy was so calm, friendly and helpful, explaining in detail the process of breathing and the positive effects it can have when we put conscious energy into it. My daughter has been using her tips and tricks regularly since the session and has mentioned how much better she is sleeping.
More recently, she applied the techniques on poolside after she was disappointed with her performance during the morning events at a swimming competition. She went on to win two medals in the afternoon events and I am certain this would not have happened without the knowledge and skills given to her by Steffy. I highly recommend trying a session with her!”
Flora Harding
“Bringing natural balance techniques into the sporting world…Brilliant! I love the experience. Thank you”
Real experiences. Real people. Real-life tools.
One of the things I love most about this work is seeing what happens when people take the tools they've learned and begin using them for themselves.
From finding better sleep and managing stress, to performing under pressure or helping young people regulate overwhelming emotions, everyone comes to breathwork for a different reason.
Here are some of their experiences.
1-to-1 & Personal
Personal experiences of using breathwork to support sleep, wellbeing and everyday life.
Emma, 46 — September 2026
“I feel that I’ve got so much out of the sessions and things that I’m working on with breathing - which is helping my nighttime sleep. I really appreciate all your help from all the things I’ve tried for sleep. The breathing is definitely the most helpful and effective. Thank you for everything. I really enjoyed working with you and will be continuing the breathing work and things I’ve learnt.”
Heather
“My first time with SOMA Breath was incredible. Steffy explained everything so well, preparing for the adventure and then led the session with a deep sense of connection and dedication. The experience was fascinating. Steffy has opened the window to a new understanding for me - feeling very grateful. Thank you.”
Children, Young People & Education
Practical breathing tools for regulation, confidence, focus and challenging moments.
Katie, Year 12 Student - May 2026
“Thank you for all you're amazing work, you're breath work helped me more in 6 sessions than mental health services have in years”
Lily, University Student — August 2025
“Steffy’s work is unique and extremely helpful. Her 1-2-1 breathing exercises have helped me immensley to understand and get to grip of, my anxiety towards different situations. Her guidance has completely transformed the way I appraoch challenging experiences.”
TA at Northallerton School & Sixth Form — July 2025
“I have used the breathing techniques I have learnt in lots of different scenarious outside the sessions. It has helped with my sleep routine, manageing stressful situtations, even used it on my own children during a recent hospital trip. I would definitley take part in breathing sessions again.”
Y8 Student at Northallerton School & Sixth Form — July 2025
“I would do the session again. Steffy was so sweet and the whole thing was good. I love Steffy”
Y9 Student at Northallerton School & Sixth Form — July 2025
“I enjoyed the relaxing music and the eye masks and the breathing exercises calmed me down when I had a stressful morning. I wouldn’t change anything. I find it useful for sleeping.”
Year 10 Student — April 2024
“With coherent breathing I can calm myself really quickly. I really enjoy the way the humming/chanting makes me feel when I'm at home. Feeling so much calmer. Everyone at school should learn this.”
Year 7 Student — July 2023
“I find the drop breath really useful in and outside of school. I'm not as anxious among large groups of people anymore.”
Sixth Form Student — February 2024
“I like the fact that some breathing exercises not only calm me down mentally but also improves my breathing efficiency. This is good when it comes to playing my instrument.”
Year 9 Student — June 2024
“The conscious breathing can help me with my tics, which are so exhausting when they are bad.”
Areté Learning Trust
“As part of our YES@ Areté Learning Trust initiative, we have launched an exciting breathwork project aimed at supporting student wellbeing and lifelong learning. SOMA Breath Transformation Coach, Steffy Cappleman, has been delivering breathwork sessions to students across the Areté Learning Trust to students, who have reported promising improvements in managing their anxiety. Thank you!”
Organisations, Workshops & Groups
Feedback from organisations and groups experiencing practical, accessible breathwork together.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation — Conscious Breathing Workshop, 25.09.24
“The explanations of each technique was excellent and I loved how interactive the session was”
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation — Conscious Breathing Workshop, 25.09.24
“I thoroughly enjoyed the session and would definitely recommend to anyone! I wasn't aware of how my breathing affected my day to day life and I feel that I can apply what I've learned to help with my anxiety.”
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation — Conscious Breathing Workshop, 25.09.24
“The team really enjoyed the workshop. We have been working at break neck speed for months now, in a department that is running at around 50% staffing and many of them with personal challenges outside of work too, so it was a really lovely opportunity to stop for an afternoon and take a breath. I know that they will use the techniques going forward.”
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation — Conscious Breathing Workshop, 25.09.24
“The session was perfect. Correct balance of theory and practical. Very interesting and informative theory with an amazing practical element afterward. I felt ten feet taller afterwards.”
Lucy Roberts
“Fantastic breathing workshop led by Steffy. Informative, useful and with practical demonstration to support breathwork at home.”