A Matter of Ice + Breath

07/09/2026

Dive Off Comp. Freediving has been one of the greatest things I have ever done, and is a big part of my why. Not only is it a pure form of breathwork, it requires dedication, honesty and communication to see progress.

Someone once said that you can lie to yourself and you can lie to your therapist or friends, but you cannot lie to your body. And I think that captures one aspect of freediving that keeps me coming back. When you dive the body communicates what is going on - how many times have we said "Yeah, I'm totally relaxed" when in actual fact we are in a state of perpetual tension or discomfort? When you are full of stress and tension, it is not possible to dive, the ears will not equalise, no matter how many times you repeat to yourself that you feel relaxed. Learning to soften is a skill that takes practise in and out of the water and, as far as I can tell, it never stops. Rhythms of thinking I can, I can't, I can, I can't, and of becoming familiar with new sensations, then learning to relax into them, then doing it again and noticing differences - its a pattern that seems to repeat.

I started freediving as a way to deal with anxieties I had around water. Since then, my entire outlook on what comfort in the water really means has entirely shifted and my views on the myth of talent have been blown out of the water.

Whilst the dive can appear lonely to some, the reality is that a big part of the joy of diving is sharing the experience with others. Great communities like Notanx mean that diving is not just possible, its inevitable. Without safety divers, without guides and without fun its a shallow experience. Freediving whilst solitary in the moment of the dive is far from it, and I am so grateful to share this journey with people from so many backgrounds, abilities and disabilities.

As a breathwork teacher, and someone who also spends much of my time guiding people through ice baths, there is a significant crossover.

At its best, for me, freediving offers an average of 60 seconds worth of complete and utter presence in this moment. Just you, your body and the water. No thinking about the outside world. No expectations. Just listening and being.

02/09/2026

Our first Breathing with the Herd has SOLD OUT, but we are back with a second date, 10th October. This will be our final "Breathing with the Herd" until 2027 as we operate around the farm's schedule. Booking via link in profile; once they're gone, they're gone!

I have had incredible experiences with breathwork and animals over the years. I was lucky enough to have a very powerful session with horses here at Mill Farm. Ever since then, Eileen Harte Psychotherapist and I have been working hard to make our vision for a breathwork session centred around this connection with her herd of thoroughbred horses, happen.

We will open the session in a traditional mongolian Yurt, preparing ourselves to meet the Herd. Then, together, and under the experienced care of Eileen and her team, we will step into the paddock to breathe with the horses. These horses are free roaming whilst we practise gentle breathing on large hay bales, allowing the opportunity for genuine connection with these wonderful animals. Whilst we can never predict what will come up, horses often have much to teach us. We will end the session back in the Yurt, with tea and a chance to reflect on our experience.

Please note, no riding takes place during this session. Whilst the horses will be roaming free, it is not necessary to have experience with horses in order to take part.

Eileen Harte is an Adlerian Psychotherapist as well as a race-horse breeder. Her role for the last 20 years working in the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry has
given her the wonderful opportunity to work closely with animals and the people who care for them. Seeing this amazing union of animals and people working together sparked her interest in psychology. Her equine assisted therapy practice is grounded in Adlerian belief that healing happens in relationship; with ourselves, with others. Eileen uses horses for their natural sensitivity and authenticity. They offer immediate, non-judgemental feedback that helps clients explore their own patterns of connection, confidence, and courage.

See you there!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=37350596&appointmentType=category:Events

19/08/2026

Lemuria Sounds and Ceremonies and I are back for another little gathering, this time a full retreat day! From 12-8pm 20th September, we will be Sparrows Campsite with a wide range of workshops to help us reset and reconnect with a bit of joy.

We will start with a welcome and cacao ceremony before drifting into some very gentle, guided breathwork, with the cacao helping us to deepen our practise. Once we are fully softening into the mat, Stara will treat us to a lovely soundbath! Inviting in some movement, we will move into a heart opening yoga session before the rare opportunity to experience kirtan (mantra chanting!) - its suitable for complete beginners and you don't need to be a "good" singer to take part! After that we will move into the ecstatic dance workshop and then sit down to share a vegetarian dinner together. Finally, we will end the day with a fire ceremony to close... hopefully leaving Sparrows with a little bit more than when we arrived 🙌.

All are welcome at this retreat day, even if you have never tried any of our events or workshops before now. I am very excited to be part of such a varied lineup, and working with a team who are all passionate about what we teach. Its sure to be one not to miss!

Please reach out to book on; we have a few spaces remaining.

27/07/2026

Come and join us this Wednesday (and the last wednesday of each month) at Union Reform Church Kelvedon. This month the focus is on Dementia and carer support, so we will be joined by plenty of local charities, and our local social prescriber, offering support and sign-posting to services in our area.

The Wellness Collective CIC, my co-founded not-for-profit, is helping to host these mornings offering accessible, affordable, wellbeing treatments to the communities that need it most. I will also be there offering free taster sessions about how simple breathing can reduce anxiety and support overall wellbeing.

Please join us at our monthly health & wellbeing coffee morning at the UFC in Kelvedon. Come and meet our social prescriber & health and wellbeing Coach.

We also have some wonderful community services coming along to chat to people about dementia and carer support this month.

We are working in partnership with 'The Wellness Collective' who are a wonderful team of therapists offering low cost treatments. On the 29th July - A Matter of Ice + Breath Joe will be offering FREE mini breath work workshops to help with stress/anxiety. https://www.wellnesscollectiveevents.co.uk/

26/07/2026

*Timing Correction - should read 10:00-11:30am*

Our Panfield class may be sold out this month but I am very excited to launch part 1 of our "Breathing with..." series. (And I am already chomping at the bit to reveal the next one on 27th September!)

First up though, "Breathing with the Trees", is an opportunity to breathe consciously in a beautiful, hidden woodland. Breathwork alone is magic, but when we combine it with the outdoors, we tend to get even deeper connection with, and feedback from, the Nature around us.

We will begin with mindful meditation practices, including some barefooting, before moving on to a gentle guided breathwork session under the shade of tree canopies; with some of the largest Willows I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

As always, we will end with an optional, complimentary cup of herbal tea to ground ourselves before waving goodbye to the land and rejoining the weekend.

This session is suitable for complete beginners and all are welcome. Yoga mats, blankets and bolsters can be provided if needed (just let me know!). Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Please reach out to book on and I hope to see you soon!

Big Love ❤️

Joe

21/07/2026

Breathwork in the Boardroom; thank you Ellisons for having Head and Heart Bodywork and me at your Ipswich office.

Along with some effective relaxation and breathing awareness exercises, we covered simple breathing techniques to change how we think and feel, right now (even at your desk!). Simple ways of breathing to refocus, to invite calm during stressful moments, and to bring us back to balance. Because when our breathing is out of control, so is our performance!

Resilience through respiration 💪 🧘🏼‍♂️

27/05/2026

Breathwork classes and 1:1s to suit all experience levels.

I host monthly breathwork classes in the Panfield (4th Tuesday of the month), Coggeshall, and Colchester area. We cycle between Blissful Breathwork; gentle breathing suitable for most, to change how we think and feel, and Wim Hof Method Breathing; a powerful type of breathwork to reset, boost our mood, reduce inflammation, and enhance our immune system to help us become happy, strong and healthy.

1:1 and private sessions are done at your home, in my garden studio, or over zoom and are tailored to the needs of the individual(s).

For more info, don't hesitate to reach out to me here or via email [email protected]. You can find out more information about the Wim Hof Method through their website www.wimhofmethod.com or about my story via my instructor profile link in my bio.

As my mentor says: the more we focus on our breathing, the better everything becomes. So whether you are looking to use the breath to get you through a difficult time, to enhance your performance, or to improve the way you breathe day-to-day, there really is something for everyone.

30/04/2026

Celebrate the mid point between Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice - Beltane. With cacao, gentle breathwork, restorative soundbath, and fire we will gather to welcome in the coming Summer of 2026.

Stara and I look forward to hosting another session at Stratford St Mary Institute Hall on Sunday 10th May, 5pm-7:30pm.

All are welcome to join. Please contact us to book your space with us.

10/03/2026

Spring is in the air, and what better way to wave goodbye to Winter than by leaning into our breathwork practise?

First up, this coming Friday 13th I'll be teaming up again with Oxygen Advantage's Laura from , to bring a session that balances functional breathing for every day health and improved performance, with breathwork to reset, relax and refocus. It is exceptionally rare to find a session run by two highly qualified teachers and I am so excited by the prospect of diving deep into the science behind why the breath matters, with someone who has personally trained with Patrick McKeown. The practise here is broad and deep - a real treat.

Tuesday 24th I will be back at Panfield for another of our monthly Blissful Breathwork Classes. We merge gentle relaxation exercises with mindfulness meditation practise and guided, gentle breathwork to change how you think and feel, right now. We end every class with an optional, complimentary cup of tea to ground ourselves and give the opportunity to answer your questions about the breath.

Sunday 29th, and I will be coming back together for another of our popular gatherings. This time we will celebrate the recent Spring Equinox, welcoming Spring and celebrating all the themes this represents. You can expect a cacao ceremony, guided breathwork journey and restorative sound bath. We end the session with optional mindful barefooting and a fire ceremony. We are already 50% full for this session, please book on soon to save your spot as we anticipate to sell out quickly.

As always, come as you are; whether you have your own dedicated practise or are a complete beginner to breathwork and gatherings, all with good intentions are welcome.

Please reach out to book on.

Big love ❤️

04/03/2026

Stara and I will be back at Stratford St Mary Institute Hall for our next gathering on Sunday 29th March, 5pm-7:30pm. This session will celebrate the Spring Equinox as we say goodbye to winter and welcome in the new season.

We will begin with a cacao ceremony, before moving on to some gentle, guided breathwork and a restorative sound bath. We will end with some optional mindful walking outside and a fire ceremony.

Our sessions are always inspired by the themes of the season. You are invited to bring an offering for the altar (which you take back home with you full of good intentions). Come as you are, all are welcome.

We tend to book out quickly for these special gatherings, so please reach out to me or Stara to save your space.

Big love ❤️