Our mission
Building resilience through breath
We teach practical, evidence-based mind-body skills that help people manage stress and build resilience—then train professionals and community leaders to carry those skills further.
See our workThe method
What is Breath-Body-Mind?
Breath-Body-Mind™ is a program of evidence-based, breath-centered mind-body practices developed by psychiatrists Richard P. Brown, MD, and Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD.
Drawing on techniques adapted from yoga, qigong, martial arts, meditation, and other mind-body traditions, BBM combines breathing, gentle movement, sound, and focused attention. The practices are designed to help balance the stress response and support physical and emotional wellbeing.
Coherent Breathing is the essential BBM breathing practice: slow, gentle breathing at a comfortable, regular rhythm.
The practices
Practices for different states
BBM practices are taught in sequences that can help people become more energized, grounded, calm, or focused. Practices can be adapted to the individual, the setting, and the needs of the group.
- Regulate
- Coherent Breathing uses slow, gentle breathing to support a more balanced state of calm alertness.
- Move & ground
- Gentle movement, sound, and attention practices can help participants become more aware of the body, release tension, and prepare for breathing practice.
- Integrate
- Periods of stillness and body awareness give participants time to notice changes in breathing, sensation, thoughts, and emotional state.
Science & evidence
Understanding breath and the stress response
Breathing is both automatic and something we can consciously change. That makes it an important point of interaction between voluntary behavior and systems involved in the body's response to stress.
BBM draws on research into slow breathing, mind-body practices, stress regulation, and related physiological processes. Research on BBM and related breath-centered practices has examined outcomes including perceived stress, anxiety, mood, fatigue, sleep, and wellbeing.
Research continues
BBMF supports further research into breath-centered mind-body methods and their potential roles in mental, physical, and societal wellbeing.
Explore researchFrom practice to community
From individual practice to community resilience
BBM begins with skills that individuals can practice for themselves. But stress and trauma also affect families, workplaces, healthcare systems, schools, and entire communities.
BBMF works with professionals and local organizations so that these skills can be shared in the places where people already live, work, teach, and care for one another.
Our aim is not simply to deliver a program, but to help communities develop their own capacity to continue the work.
The Foundation
What we do
The Breath-Body-Mind Foundation expands access to BBM through direct programs, education, training, crisis response, and research.
- 01
Direct service
Provide BBM programs and practice opportunities for individuals, groups, communities, and organizations.
- 02
Education
Educate health professionals, organizations, government agencies, community leaders, and the public.
- 03
Training
Support sustainable programs through instructor, teacher, and train-the-trainer education.
- 04
Crisis response
Bring trauma-sensitive practices to communities affected by war, terrorism, natural and climate disasters, epidemics, and other crises.
- 05
Research
Support research into breath-centered mind-body methods for mental, physical, and societal wellbeing.
Our founders
Developed through decades of clinical practice and teaching
Richard P. Brown, MD, and Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, psychiatrists and co-founders of the Breath-Body-Mind Foundation, developed BBM by integrating breath-centered and movement practices with their experience in psychiatry, mind-body medicine, disaster response, and professional education.
Their work has included programs with healthcare professionals, educators, military personnel, disaster survivors, and communities affected by war and mass trauma.
Our vision
From resilience to connection
Our work begins with the individual, but its purpose extends further.
Greater resilience can strengthen our capacity to care for others, participate in our communities, and respond constructively during periods of stress and uncertainty.
Through this work, BBMF hopes to contribute to a world with more connection, compassion, and cooperation.
See Breath-Body-Mind in the world
Explore how BBMF works with professionals, organizations, and communities to bring these practices where they are needed.