Breath & Branches is a sacred, ritual-infused coaching practice founded by Gwen Gillespie Thibeaux, M.A. It is rooted in the belief that slowing down, breathing deeply, and reconnecting with the natural world are acts of profound self-care — and that a meaningful life is built one intentional moment at a time. The practice blends breathwork, nature-based ritual, and sacred living coaching to support women and femme communities in rooting into who they already are.

Gwen Gillespie Thibeaux holds a Master of Arts degree and is a Sacred Living Coach currently completing her Trauma Aware Breath Coach Training through the Whole Health Project. She is also working toward her 400-hour GPBA breathwork certification. Gwen has spent years studying the intersection of mindfulness, nature, and intentional living — and she brings that depth into every offering she creates. She is based in the Inland Empire of Southern California.

Breath & Branches is for women and femme communities who are feeling the weight of a life lived on autopilot — people who are craving something slower, more intentional, and more deeply connected to themselves. Whether you are just beginning to explore breathwork, moving through a season of transition, or ready to commit to a sacred living practice, there is a place for you here. You do not need any prior experience. You only need to be willing to begin.

Sacred living is the practice of treating your everyday life — your mornings, your meals, your breath, your rest — as worthy of intention and care. It is not about perfection or performance. It is about pausing long enough to notice what is actually alive in you, and building a life that honors that. At Breath & Branches, sacred living is grounded in nature’s rhythms, breathwork, and ritual as accessible, everyday anchors.

No. While the word “sacred” is central to this work, Breath & Branches is not affiliated with any particular religion or faith tradition. The practice is spiritually inclusive — it draws on universal themes of reverence, presence, and interconnection. People of all backgrounds, belief systems, and spiritual orientations are warmly welcome.

Breathwork is the intentional practice of using the breath as a tool for healing, regulation, and self-awareness. It encompasses a wide range of techniques — from gentle, meditative breathing practices to more active, rhythmic patterns — each serving different purposes. Some techniques calm the nervous system; others help release stored tension or emotion. At Breath & Branches, breathwork is always offered with care, intention, and a trauma-aware lens.

Not at all. Every offering at Breath & Branches is designed to meet you exactly where you are. If you are brand new to breathwork, you will be guided with clear, accessible instruction. If you have prior experience, there is always more depth to explore. The only requirement is a willingness to breathe and be present.

For most people, yes — breathwork is a safe and deeply beneficial practice. However, certain techniques are not recommended for individuals with specific health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, severe anxiety disorders, pregnancy, or recent surgery. Gwen’s approach is trauma-aware and always grounded in participant comfort and safety. If you have any health concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider before participating in active breathwork sessions.

Experiences vary widely from person to person and session to session. Common experiences include a deep sense of calm, emotional release, tingling sensations, vivid imagery, or simply feeling more present and grounded. Some people feel moved to tears; others feel a quiet, steady peace. There is no “right” experience. Whatever arises is welcome, and you will never be pressured to go further than feels good for you.

No. While breathwork can be deeply supportive of emotional wellbeing, it is not a substitute for therapy or medical treatment. Gwen is a coach and breathwork practitioner, not a licensed therapist or medical professional. If you are working through significant trauma, mental health concerns, or medical issues, please continue to do so with the support of qualified professionals. Breath & Branches is a complement to that care, not a replacement.

Breath & Branches offers a range of sacred living experiences, including in-person gatherings, virtual group coaching cohorts, guided breathwork, and ritual herb blends. Current offerings include Rise Through the Roots (an in-person half-day gathering on May 17) and The Rooted Life Circle (a 12-week virtual group coaching cohort beginning June 28, 2026). Additional offerings may be added seasonally.

At this time, Breath & Branches’ primary offerings are group-based — intentionally so. There is something powerful about women and femme communities doing this work together, witnessing and being witnessed. If you are interested in one-on-one support in the future, you are welcome to reach out and Gwen will let you know what may be available.

In-person gatherings are held in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Virtual offerings — including The Rooted Life Circle cohort — are open to participants anywhere. If you are not local to Southern California, the virtual cohort is the best way to engage with the Breath & Branches community.

The best ways to stay in the loop are to subscribe to the roots & things Substack letter at rootsandthings.substack.com and to follow along on Instagram at @breathandbranches. New offerings, seasonal events, and reflections are shared through both channels first.

Yes — and she would love to hear from you. Gwen is available for speaking engagements, breathwork facilitation, and workshop experiences for organizations, wellness events, community gatherings, schools, and faith communities. Her areas of focus include sacred living and intentional practice, breathwork as a grounding and nervous system tool, nature-based wellness, and whole-person wellbeing for women, femme communities, and youth. Whether you are planning a staff wellness day, a community event, a panel, or a retreat, Gwen brings the same warmth, depth, and care she brings to every Breath & Branches offering. Send her a message to start the conversation.

Rise Through the Roots is a sacred half-day gathering for women and femme communities. It is a space to slow down, go inward, breathe together, and reconnect with the ground beneath you — held with intention and ritual. The gathering weaves together breathwork, reflection, community connection, and embodied practice in an intimate, unhurried setting.

Rise Through the Roots takes place on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in the Inland Empire, Southern California. Specific venue details are shared upon registration. To secure your spot, visit the event listing on Eventbrite or reach out via @breathandbranches.

Come dressed in something comfortable — layers are always a good idea for breathwork. You are welcome to bring a journal, a cozy blanket or pillow for floor work, and an open heart. Detailed preparation notes will be sent to registered attendees ahead of the gathering.

Please review the refund policy on the Eventbrite listing at the time of registration. If you have specific circumstances you would like to discuss, feel free to reach out directly.

Rise Through the Roots is an in-person gathering, so you would need to be able to travel to the Inland Empire to attend. If that is not possible right now, The Rooted Life Circle — our virtual group coaching cohort beginning June 28 — may be a beautiful way to join the community from wherever you are. Add your name to the waitlist at forms.gle/qs7BjuguLd1pKqD16.

The Rooted Life Circle is a 12-week virtual group coaching cohort for women and femme communities who are ready to build a sacred, intentional daily practice — together. It is an intimate container (limited to 8–12 participants) that blends breathwork, reflection, ritual, and community support across a season of meaningful inner work. Cohort One begins June 28, 2026 and runs through September 6, 2026.

The cohort meets virtually every two weeks over the 12-week container, with integration time built between sessions so that the work has room to settle and root. Between sessions, participants have access to a private WhatsApp community space to stay connected, share, and support one another. The full schedule and time commitment details will be shared with those on the waitlist.

Cohort One is currently accepting waitlist interest. Because space is intentionally limited, joining the waitlist is the best way to be considered for a spot and to receive first access when enrollment opens. Add your name here: forms.gle/qs7BjuguLd1pKqD16.

Intentionally. Depth requires intimacy. When a group is small, everyone is actually seen. There is space to breathe, to share, to be held without getting lost. The Rooted Life Circle is not a course with a leaderboard — it is a living, breathing community of women doing real inner work. That kind of container only works when it stays small enough to feel safe.

The Breath & Branches herb blends are small-batch, intentionally formulated blends sourced from high-quality herbs. Each blend is named and crafted to support specific intentions — including clearing, grounding, ancestral connection, and new beginnings. Current blends include Open the Way, Tending the Inner Soil, Sacred Clearing, Ancestral Ember, Break Ground, and Carry the Root, as well as the Rooted Clarity blend.

The blends are designed for use as part of a personal ritual practice — as loose leaf teas, as aromatic companions to your breathwork or meditation, or as a grounding sensory anchor at the start or close of your day. Each blend comes with suggested uses and intention prompts. They are not medical products and are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any condition.

Ingredients are listed for each blend so you can review them before purchasing. If you have known herb allergies, sensitivities, or are pregnant or nursing, please consult with your healthcare provider before use. When in doubt, reach out directly and Gwen can share full ingredient details.

Products are available through the Breath & Branches website at breathandbranches.com. Some products may also be available at in-person gatherings. Follow @breathandbranches for updates on new blends and seasonal releases.

Yes — youth and community work are close to Gwen’s heart. Breath & Branches serves women, femme communities, and young people in the Inland Empire. Gwen is currently developing a nonprofit arm called the Grounded to Rise Alliance (GRA), which will extend this work more formally into youth-centered and community-based programming, with a planned launch in 2027.

The Grounded to Rise Alliance (GRA) is the nonprofit arm currently in development under the Breath & Branches ecosystem. It is designed to bring sacred living tools — breathwork, nature connection, and ritual — to young people and underserved communities who may not otherwise have access to these practices. GRA is planned to launch around 2027. If you are interested in partnering, volunteering, or learning more, reach out.

Gwen is open to thoughtful partnership conversations with aligned organizations, schools, and nonprofits — particularly those serving women, femme communities, foster youth, and at-risk young people in the Inland Empire. Send a message to start a conversation.