Shira Gordon is a Senior Level 4 Breath-Body-Mind (BBM) Teacher, certified by Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg with a master’s degree in public health and Certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. For the past 5 years, she has been delivering online BBM programs to diverse populations across the globe, with a focus on reducing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

On September 6, 2024, over 60 therapists gathered for an introductory Breath-Body-Mind (BBM) session led by Israeli teacher Yifat Peres. This event took place in the wake of the tragic Nova Music Festival massacre on October 7, 2023, where the Safe Heart mental health organization has been providing essential support to survivors. During the session, Yifat demonstrated gentle movements paired with coherent breathing techniques, specifically designed to aid in healing from trauma. Participants expressed their appreciation for the practices, recognizing their potential to assist both their clients and themselves in managing stress and emotional distress. The positive feedback received underscores a collective interest in further training opportunities in BBM techniques. We hope to build on this momentum by offering additional sessions tailored to the needs of these dedicated therapists, empowering them with tools that foster resilience and recovery.

ב-6 בספטמבר 2024 התכנסו למעלה מ-60 מטפלים לפגישת היכרות עם ארגון נשימה-גוף-תודעה (BBM) בהנחיית המורה הישראלית יפעת פרס. אירוע זה התרחש בעקבות הטבח הטראגי בפסטיבל המוזיקה נובה ב-7 באוקטובר 2023, בו ארגון בריאות הנפש “לב בטוח” (Safe Heart) סיפק תמיכה חיונית לניצולים.

מפגשים שבועיים אונליין להורים ולילדים, שמטרתם להכיר ולתרגל יחד כלים פשוטים לוויסות, לשחרור מתח ולהרגעה - ולשלב אותם באופן טבעי בחיי היומיום ובשגרת השינה. באמצעות תנועה עדינה, תרגילי נשימה וסיפור, ההורים והילדים מתרגלים יחד מעבר הדרגתי מפעילות למנוחה, ומפתחים שפה משותפת של נשימה, הקשבה ורגיעה. התרגול המשותף מאפשר לילדים להכיר את הכלים מתוך חוויה נעימה ובטוחה עם ההורה, ולהורים להמשיך ולתרגל אותם יחד בבית גם מעבר למפגש. המפגשים מונחים על ידי מורה בכירה בעמותת BBM בעברית.

BBM Level 3 instructor Nicolás Dumit Estévez Raful has been invited to teach as a SPCUNY Scholar-in-Residence for the 2025-26 year. Nicolás’s work blends performance, pedagogy, and ritual, focusing on presence, care, and radical belonging to inspire social change. He will lead the Spring 2026 Seminar, mentor Fellows across disciplines, and develop programs connecting classrooms with broader cultural communities, embodying SPCUNY’s commitment to justice-centered arts education.

Partners in Dementia are a UK not-for-profit organization who support people affected by dementia and unpaid caregivers in and around the city of York in the UK. We have been given funds by the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver a three-year project between 2025 and 2028. In this project we’ll be supporting people with dementia to function at their highest possible level using Cognitive Rehabilitation; and we’ll also be supporting unpaid caregivers with Breath-Body-Mind courses to help them reduce stress and anxiety and help them in their caring role. The Breath-Body-Mind courses are run over six consecutive weeks and are aimed at enabling the caregiver to continue their Breath-Body-Mind practice after the course ends.

On February 8, 2025, the Neighbors Network of Lee County hosted a Breath-Body-Mind (BBM) workshop at Unity of Fort Myers, bringing together community members eager to explore the power of breath for stress management and well-being. Led by certified BBM instructor Dr. Angel Rafael Braña-López, the event offered two sessions designed to introduce participants to the neurophysiology of breathing and guide them through BBM practices. The first session, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, provided attendees with a solid scientific foundation on how breathwork can help regulate stress and optimize energy levels. Participants gained insight into the benefits of Coherent Breathing and Qigong exercises, which form the core of BBM practices.

Cecilia Beach has been leading BBM trainings in Rwanda since 2018. As a resident instructor at the Ituze Mindfulness and Yoga Center in Kigali from 2018-20, Cecilia assisted Dr. Brown in the first Level 1 BBM training in Rwanda in June and August 2018. In addition to classes at the Ituze Center, Cecilia led BBM classes to a variety of populations in many different settings, including to rural health workers in the Jali district; at Talking Through Art, a center dedicated to empowering women with disabilities in Rwanda; to the staff at Les Enfants de Dieu, an organization devoted to the rehabilitation of street kids…

Dr. Richard Brown, cofounder of Breath-Body-Mind, recently appeared on Dirk Winter’s Developing Meaning podcast to share insights on the transformative power of ancient breathing techniques. He discusses how BBM practices effectively heal trauma, boost physical wellbeing, and foster joy. Dr. Brown also reflects on his personal journey: how childhood bullying sparked his interest in martial arts and led him to a deep understanding of traditional methods for promoting both physical and mental health. Listen to the episode below:

The following are some pictures of the work the Universidade Federal do Piauí is doing with quilombolas (former enslaved) communities. Be sure to visit UFPI on their Instagram account.

Joanna Harper, MSc., is Director of BBMF UK and a Level Four BBM Teacher. Joanna has been part of the Breath-Body-Mind (BBM) Teaching Team since 2021. She is also founder of Integrate Training, which provides regular BBM Fundamentals courses. As a professional trainer and experienced teacher, Joanna has led the team developing the BBM curriculum and training resources. Learn more about Joanna below:

Dr. Patricia Gerbarg's discusses how breathing can help with stress, emotions, and overall health, using research to connect breathing with better mental health and trauma recovery. Next, she teaches a method called Coherent Breathing, where participants learn to breathe in and out for equal counts, usually aiming for five breaths per minute. This practice helps create calmness, builds emotional strength, and enhances self-connection.

שירה גורדון היא מנהלת BBMF ישראל ומורה לנשימה-גוף-תודעה ברמה 4. היא אחות פסיכיאטרית בעלת תואר שני בבריאות הציבור ומלמדת עם ד"ר ריצ'רד בראון וד"ר פטרישיה גרברג מזה 6 שנים. מאז תחילת מגיפת הקורונה, היא מנחה תוכניות BBM באינטרנט עבור מתלמדים באוקראינה, טורקיה, אירלנד, צפון אירלנד וארצות הברית. למידע נוסף על שירה לחצו על התמונה:

In 2023, The New York State Office of Mental Health made an award to Coordinated Care Services, Inc (CCSI) for the establishment of a Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center to advance the understanding of trauma, the use of trauma-informed principles, and the availability of trauma-informed care throughout the state.

180,000 people are caught under the rocks and rubble following the massive earthquake in Turkey and Northern Syria. Our teachers from Turkey are moving quickly to provide free online BBM crisis relief programs, as was done after the last earthquake.

Derval Dunford, a Level 3 BBM teacher, has made significant strides in integrating breathing techniques with artistic expression. Her innovative approach combines breath-centered practices with various art forms, creating a unique platform for stress relief and emotional exploration. Through her work, Derval encourages individuals to tap into their creativity while fostering mindfulness and relaxation.

T-shirts available through the Breath-Body-Mind Foundation store support the Ukrainian Crisis Relief programs. Each purchase contributes to efforts that provide essential resources and assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By wearing these shirts, you not only promote awareness but also lend your support to a vital cause. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.

WFMH is sponsoring World Mental Health Day on October 10, and they invited Dr. Richard Brown, Dr. Patricia Gerbarg and Jyoti Manuel to do webinars as part of mental health awareness.

A 14-inch missile canister becomes a canvas for Mykhailo Andreyovych Banga, a Ukrainian artist and soldier. Amid conflict, he turns destruction into art, reflecting resilience. His painting contrasts war's chaos with beauty, each brushstroke telling a story of hope. Mykhailo's work highlights art's healing power and the enduring nature of beauty in adversity.

Join international experts to experience natural healing methods for recovery from disasters. In this special free live online stress resilience program, learn unique evidence-based mind-body practices to quickly relieve stress and worry, strengthen your ability to withstand high levels of stress, and support recovery from traumatic events.

The BBMF logo has been chosen as an Honorable Mention in Graphis’ international Design 2023 competition by a jury of award-winning industry professionals. It was designed by Yael Dresdner, a Level II BBM teacher.