In the fast-paced world of business, decision-making often happens under pressure. Stress, anxiety, and overthinking can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive or fear-based choices. But what if one of the most powerful tools for clarity and calm was right under your nose—literally? Breathwork, the practice of consciously controlling your breath, is gaining traction among entrepreneurs and executives as a method to regulate emotions and enhance decision-making.
We spoke with six leading female business coaches who use and teach breathwork to uncover how simply breathing more deeply and intentionally can profoundly shift your state of mind—and your business outcomes.
1. Maria Delgado, Executive Leadership Coach
Maria works with C-suite executives to improve their emotional intelligence. She says, “When you’re under stress, your breath becomes shallow and fast. This signals danger to your nervous system. But when you slow your breathing, you’re sending the opposite message—that you’re safe. This can change your entire physiological state in less than a minute.”
Maria uses breathwork at the start of every coaching session to help her clients drop out of their racing thoughts and into the present moment. “One of my clients avoided making a key hire because of past failures,” she says. “Once we used breathwork to calm her anxiety, she could see the situation objectively and made a fantastic hire.”
2. Jasmine Raye, Startup Coach and Founder of The Grounded Hustle
Jasmine supports early-stage entrepreneurs who are constantly in hustle mode. “Many of my clients are overwhelmed. They’re trying to do it all, and they feel like there’s never enough time,” she explains. “Breathwork helps them pause, regroup, and approach problems from a calmer, more strategic place.”
She encourages her clients to practice a simple technique: inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and pause for four (known as box breathing). “This method activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps my clients make decisions based on clarity, not panic.”
3. Priya Anand, Holistic Business Strategist
Priya blends traditional business coaching with wellness tools. She sees breath as the ultimate bridge between the body and the mind. “Most of us make decisions in our heads—overanalyzing, forecasting worst-case scenarios. But your breath brings you back into your body, which is incredibly wise.”
She recalls helping a burned-out client reconsider a business pivot. “After just 10 minutes of guided breathwork, she said, ‘I don’t think I actually want to change directions—I just need a break.’ That’s the power of tuning in through the breath.”
4. Eliza Moore, High-Performance Coach for Women Executives
Eliza works with high-achieving women who often feel disconnected from themselves. “They’ve been trained to ‘power through,’ which disconnects them from their intuition. Breathwork helps them slow down and access their inner guidance,” she says.
She believes that breathing is not just a calming tool, but a way to access creativity and vision. “A relaxed brain is a creative brain. If you want innovative business solutions, breathe deeply and create space for ideas to emerge.”
5. Shannon Bell, Mindful Marketing Consultant
Shannon integrates mindfulness into business strategy. “Your breath is like a compass,” she says. “When you’re feeling reactive—angry, frustrated, afraid—it’s hard to make sound choices. But if you stop and take three slow, full breaths, it creates a moment of reflection.”
She notes that one of the most successful marketing campaigns she co-created came after a breathwork session. “We stopped trying to push an idea and instead breathed together for five minutes. What came next was effortless—and the results spoke for themselves.”
6. Talia Greene, Business Resilience Coach
Talia specializes in helping entrepreneurs navigate crisis and change. For her, breathwork is essential. “When something unexpected happens—like a client pulls out or a deal falls through—your body reacts instantly. Breath is your first line of defense.”
She teaches clients to start their day with 5 minutes of breath awareness. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about building the muscle of presence. That daily ritual can shift how you respond to challenges all day long.”
Why More Air Matters
All six coaches agree: breathing more deeply and consciously helps regulate the nervous system, reduces stress hormones, and opens up access to clearer thinking and intuition. In scientific terms, slow and full breathing activates the vagus nerve, which triggers the body’s relaxation response. This physiological calm supports cognitive functions like memory, focus, and creativity—essential tools for good business decisions.
When you’re calm, you can evaluate risks more accurately, communicate more effectively, and align your actions with long-term goals rather than short-term fears.
How to Start Using Breathwork Today
You don’t need to become a yogi or meditate for hours to benefit. Here are a few tips from the coaches:
Start small: Take 3 deep breaths before making any important decision.
Use structure: Try box breathing (inhale-hold-exhale-hold for four counts each).
Make it a ritual: Begin meetings with 60 seconds of breathing to ground everyone.
Tune in: Notice how your breath changes under pressure—and consciously slow it down.
Final Thoughts
Breath is one of the most overlooked tools for success in business. It costs nothing, requires no equipment, and can be used anywhere. As these six inspiring coaches show, taking a moment to breathe doesn’t mean you’re doing less—it means you’re doing it better.
Next time you’re facing a high-stakes decision, pause. Inhale. Exhale. Let the breath do its quiet, powerful work.
