Comparing Soma+IQ™ Breathwork to Wim Hof and Holotropic Breathwork

Breathwork has become a major trend lately—and for good reason. With so many modalities out there, it’s clear that the world needs more breathwork - this practice is here to stay. But with all the hype, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How do you know which style aligns with your goals?

Here’s a breakdown of some popular approaches:

Wim Hof Method

The Wim Hof Method is relatively easy to distinguish from Soma+IQ™ Breathwork. Wim Hof combines breathwork with practices like ice baths or cold plunges to stimulate the body’s immune system and build resilience. While Soma+IQ™ Breathwork shares the concept of harnessing hormetic stress—controlled, incremental exposure to stress to enhance long-term adaptability—it does so through breathwork alone, without incorporating cold exposure. The nervous system is intentionally activated during the first half of the Soma+IQ™ session to simulate a stress response, promoting resilience over time through consistent and gradual practice.

Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic Breathwork is another practice that differs significantly from Soma+IQ™ Breathwork. Holotropic involves prolonged, high-intensity deep breathing throughout an entire session, which typically lasts 2-3 hours. The breathing tempo is generally fast and sustained, often aiming to replicate the intensity of a near-death experience.

Soma+IQ™ Breathwork (my offering)

In Contrast to other breathwork modalities Soma+IQ™ offers a more balanced and titrated experience. Sessions last about an hour and are divided into two distinct phases:

The first half involves intense, dynamic breathing to activate and release stored energy.
The second half focuses on gentle, calming breathing and breath holds, which foster grounding and integration.
Unlike Holotropic Breathwork's static and intense approach, Soma+IQ™ allows participants to personalize the depth and tempo of their breathing throughout the session. This creates a journey that not only clears emotional and energetic blockages but also invites intentional reintegration of desired qualities or states.

A Practitioner’s Perspective

From a practitioner’s lens, Soma+IQ™ Breathwork is a titrated, progressive experience designed to promote safety and integration at every step. While Holotropic Breathwork tends to prioritize intensity and depth, often aiming for a dramatic breakthrough, Soma+IQ™ emphasizes sustainable transformation through incremental, personalized engagement. This ensures the process remains approachable, adaptable, and safe for a wide range of participants.