New to the End-of-Life Doula community, I began thinking of ways that I could integrate in Somatic Breathwork with End-of-life Care. End-of-life doulas are called to walk alongside individuals and families during one of life’s most sacred and vulnerable transitions. They are called to advocate for the desires of those in transition. This is a big calling! This work requires deep presence, emotional resilience, and the ability to hold space for both grief and grace. This requires a Doula to self-regulate and hold space for others.
This message is relevant not only for Doulas but also for families experiencing grief, caregivers supporting individuals in transition, and friends of those navigating significant life changes. Additionally, the content shared can serve as a valuable resource for general self-regulation and heightened awareness for anyone.
In my own journey as a somatic practitioner and student of trauma-informed bodywork, I’ve discovered how breath and body awareness can transform even the most painful experiences. One of the most profound frameworks I’ve encountered is Somatic Respiratory Integration (SRI), created by Donny Epstein. Paired with his 12 Stages of Healing, this approach offers a powerful lens through which to understand the emotional and energetic cycles of life—and death.
In this blog, I’ll explore how these tools can not only support end-of-life doulas in their own regulation and resilience but also offer a gentle, embodied pathway for those who are dying and those who love them.
Helping doulas regulate their own nervous systems and stay present.
End-of-life work can stir up intense emotions for the client, their family, and the doula alike. SRI gives doulas a tool to come back to their bodies through intentional breath and movement. When we use the rhythms of SRI, we cultivate internal safety, presence, and attunement. This allows us to stay grounded when others are in emotional chaos or deep grief.
By practicing SRI before or after sessions—or even in quick, quiet moments while sitting bedside—you can reset your nervous system and continue to serve from a regulated, open-hearted place. You become a calm anchor in the room, modeling embodied presence for everyone around you. Someone once said the most calm and regulated person in the room holds the most power.
Guiding the dying person (and their family) in reconnecting with their breath, body, and deeper self.
As the body begins to let go, many people shift out of bodily awareness. SRI can gently guide them back into connection—without force or agenda. Simple breath patterns and body awareness cues can help the dying feel into what is true in each moment: where there is resistance, where there is surrender, and where there is peace.
For families witnessing this process, SRI can also be an entry point for grounding in their own bodies. When breath becomes shared and somatic cues are mirrored, a profound connection opens—one that transcends worlds and brings everyone into the present moment. It’s here that healing happens, even at the end of life.
While the concepts behind SRI and the 12 Stages of Healing are deeply transformative, they don’t have to be complicated to use. End-of-life doulas can integrate these somatic practices in subtle, intuitive ways—both for their own well-being and in service to their clients.
Self-Practice for Doulas:
Before entering a space with a client, doulas can take a few moments to engage in an SRI breath pattern—placing hands on specific areas of the body and following the rhythm of breath. This helps center the nervous system, awaken intuition, and bring a sense of grounded openness. Even brief practices can make a big difference in presence and clarity.
Breath Mirroring at the Bedside:
When a dying person is experiencing fear, restlessness, or tension, the doula can model slow, rhythmic breathing. Over time, the client's system may naturally begin to mirror that calmer state. This kind of somatic co-regulation can bring comfort and reduce anxiety without needing to say a word.
Body Awareness Cues:
Offering gentle language such as, “Can you feel your breath moving through your ribs?” or “Notice where your body feels supported right now,” can help clients reconnect to themselves. This is especially helpful when someone is disassociating, overwhelmed, or feeling out of control.
Introducing SRI Gently:
It’s important to honor each person’s beliefs and preferences. SRI should never be forced, but rather offered as a supportive invitation. Sometimes, a doula’s own breath and presence are enough to influence the space. Other times, families or clients may be open to exploring the breath patterns together, creating a shared ritual of connection and healing.
These practices don’t require certification to begin using them—they begin with awareness, intention, and respect. As doulas deepen their own relationship with somatic healing, they naturally become a vessel for others to explore it, too.
As end-of-life doulas, the greatest gift you can give is presence—being with, not doing for. Somatic Respiratory Integration and the 12 Stages of Healing offer us a language of breath and body that supports this sacred presence. These tools don’t promise to erase pain or fear, but they invite deeper connection—with ourselves, with those we serve, and with the profound mystery of dying.
By weaving somatic practices into our care, we honor the body as it transitions, embrace each moment with compassion, and create space for healing—even at the threshold of life.
The Three Stages of SRI
