TRANSFORMATIVE BREATHWORK

CONNECTION, INSIGHTS, & BREAKTHROUGHS

Hi there,

Notes on our current Programming:

8/20 - The Matriark Salon + Pop Up Season Salon Series: We’re teaming up with Pop Up Season and LongHouse Reserve to bring you this special salon with Hall W. Rockefeller, Founder of Less Than Half, on Cultivating Change: Women, Art, and the Collections That Shape Our Culture.The Salon is on August 20th, please see tickets HERE.

8/26 - The Matriark Salon: on Tuesday, August 26th, I will be hosting alongside Cathy o’Brien, Naturopathica Chairwoman, a Transformative Breathwork Session with Certified Breathwork Guide, Energy Reader and Yoga Teacher Céline Antoine at The Topping Rose House.

Invitations will be offered first to our paid subscribers. If space allows, we’ll open them to our broader community. To receive priority access in the future, we invite you to become a paid subscriber.

We just closed Season 1 of WEALTHY The Matriark Podcast, and it was a blast to chat with so many incredible women. If you missed it:

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and Youtube
💌 Full audio, video and + weekly episodes for Paid Subscribers in our Podcast page

Alright, onto our regular programming!

I’m so excited to host my first Breathwork session with the incredible Céline Antoine. I first heard about her work from my friend, artist Blair Borthwick, who attended one of Céline’s sessions and was so moved by the experience that she began co-hosting them in NYC. I couldn’t make those dates, but when Blair introduced us, I knew we had to bring Céline to the Matriark community ASAP.

Until then, I knew little about breathwork beyond the name. But after hearing Blair’s transformative experience, I wanted in—and I wanted all of YOU to have the chance to try it, too. After a busy summer, this session is a much-needed pause to reconnect with ourselves and reset for the upcoming Fall season.

I had a chat with Céline and she is sharing more about her practice below, which helps us understand what breathwork is, and what to expect of the session. Enjoy!

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Q&A with Céline Antoine

P: Tell us about your Breathwork Practice

C: I call this practice "transformative breathwork" — a powerful and beautiful way to release stress, ease anxiety, and connect deeply with both your intuition and the wisdom of your heart. This particular form, known as circular breathwork, is a potent active technique for gently releasing stuck emotions held in the body. It also nurtures a stronger connection to the deeper layers of our being.

Through this practice, many people experience profound insights, emotional breakthroughs, and deep feelings of love. Ultimately, it’s a meaningful tool that helps us shift from the busyness of the mind to the wisdom of the heart — the place where our purest intentions and inner guidance reside.

P: What sparked your interest in Breathwork?

C: I’ve been teaching yoga for the past 19 years, so breathwork (especially pranayama, the breathing practices from the yoga tradition) has always been an integral part of my life. About seven years ago, while I was deeply immersed in healing and inner work, my husband asked if I wanted to join him for a breathwork class. I agreed, assuming it would be similar to the breathing exercises I knew so well from yoga. But it was nothing like that!

In that session, I experienced a powerful emotional release and gained a profound insight into a thought pattern I had carried my entire life. It was a truly transformative moment that left me in awe.

As I continued to practice, my connection to this work deepened, and eventually, I felt called to share it with others. That’s when I decided to become certified as a breathwork facilitator.

P: Can you give me examples of the transformative and healing powers of Breathwork? Maybe some feedback from clients or your own experience with the practice?

C: Each practice is unique, shaped by what’s happening in your life at that moment. For me, it’s always a beautiful way to reset my mental state, release emotions, and gain clarity. Because the transformative breathwork gently shifts our state of consciousness, it allows us to receive deep insights. For some people, it’s also a powerful tool for processing trauma and starting to find healing.

As for the feedback from my students, of course everyone experiences it differently, but many of them tell me that I guided them towards releasing trauma, how impactful a simple technique can be, and how some of them were overtaken by feelings of love and expansion. Many of them feel lighter, present, and have a deep feeling of gratitude.

P: Can you describe a session for us?

C: Sure! A full session lasts between 75 and 90 minutes.We begin by grounding with gentle movements that help us connect to our breath, followed by setting a personal intention for the practice.

As an energy reader (I do Soul Readings), I like to tune into the group’s energy beforehand. Often, I receive a message: something the group needs to hear or release, which I share at the start to guide our journey together.

Before we begin the breathwork, I take time to explain the process: the setup (lying on the back), the breathing technique, and what sensations or emotions may arise, so everyone feels safe and comfortable.

We then move into 22 minutes of guided breathwork, followed by a short rest. From there, I lead the group into some “heart moments”: a space to connect deeply with love, gratitude, and inner wisdom, before settling into a longer rest. We close the session together, returning to a seated position.

P: You are French, and you are based in Shelter Island in the Hamptons. When did you move to this area, and what inspired the move?

C: My husband and I moved to New York City in 2000, and in 2002 a friend introduced us to Shelter Island. From that summer on, it became our seasonal escape; a place we returned to year after year.

Two years ago, I felt an undeniable pull to be closer to nature; the kind of calling you can’t ignore. Since I already had part of my clientele here and knew the island well, we decided to make it our full-time home.

It’s still the best decision we’ve ever made. I’m completely in love with the island’s beauty, and the rhythm of nature here truly nourishes my soul.

P: What’s your favorite place in Shelter Island?

Nature! Mashomack Preserve in spring and fall is absolutely stunning; I go several times a week to reground, reconnect and find inspiration.

As someone who does energy readings and healing sessions, nature is my sanctuary and what allows me to keep my energy and vibration balanced and stable.

In the summertime, I walk along Hay Beach every day. Before the summer crowds arrive, I'm often greeted by rays and angel fish in the clear water; moments of pure magic.

P: What’s your favorite place in France?

C: Honestly, it’s hard to choose because I think that France is such a beautiful and diverse country, especially for its size.

I might not be very original, but I truly love to visit Paris. The city is endlessly charming. Everywhere you look, there’s something beautiful, even in the most unexpected buildings. People are effortlessly stylish, and there’s a unique blend of sensuality and spontaneity that seems to flow through the streets. The culture, the beauty and the delicious food create a special mix that I love.

P: If you could have lunch with 3 women (alive or dead), who would they be and why?

This would have to be three separate lunches because I like to go deep in conversation, and having three people who don’t know each other at the same table might not create the space for truly soulful exchanges.

My maternal grandmother: I regret not having spent more time with her when I was a teenager or getting to know her on a deeper level. She was very caring, compassionate, sensitive and had a big impact in my life as a small child. I have so many questions I wish I could ask her now, and I would cherish the chance to share a meal with her.

Simone Veil: I have immense respect for this woman. A Holocaust survivor, she never lost her courage, resilience, or faith in humanity. In 1975, she achieved a tremendous victory for women’s rights by legalizing abortion in France.

Alicia Keys: I love her voice, but even more than that, she strikes me as a kind, compassionate person with a beautiful soul. I imagine our conversation would be deep, meaningful and fun!

I’m excited to see Céline on August 26th, and I hope to see you there too. Sending love,

Patricia