We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirby Slager a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

At the end of 2021, I took a risk interviewing for a position I wasn’t certain was in alignment with my values. A dear friend of mine came to me and mentioned how she felt I’d be a perfect fit for a newer start-up company teaching Breathwork. I was first introduced to Breathwork in 2015 from a facilitator who abused their power in this space of using breath to alter awareness and manipulate the minds of others under the influence.

I had experienced the potency of Breathwork, but had yet to feel safe in that space. I turned down many opportunities until this offer came along. There was something in me at that time that thought “who better to hold a safe space than someone who has experienced the opposite.” I know how powerful & transformative using our breath in this way can be, and I have found a passion in assisting others as they connect on a deeper level with themselves and the moment they’re in.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up the youngest of 5 kids which naturally made me feel overshadowed, yet VERY observant of the World around me. I found a passion in watching, listening and understanding Human Behavior. This curiosity supported me toward a Career in Improvisation and Sketch Comedy where I was able to “try on” these mannerisms, behaviors and points of view through Character study. After 16 years of performing, I felt drawn to something richer for me. I had become skilled in mastering the art of NOT Knowing through Improvisation, but felt drawn to know myself more deeply. This chapter of my life could probably be typecast as my “Dark night of the Soul,” but truly, for me, it felt like a long (oftentimes uncomfortable) remembering. Through this time I found tools to help me dig deeper into the moment, to find more compassion for myself and others, and bring the constant buzz of my brain to a calming hummm : Breathwork became one of my greatest tools, and it does not surprise me that I now find myself using this tool to guide others in returning to what is true for them. I offer different modalities of Breathwork, but my newest creation is a class for the purpose of down regulation. I have brought many of my tools to the forefront, infused my gifts in guidance and curation of music to create an enriching, safe, and grounded experience of the senses. My greatest passion is in helping others return to the safety within themselves, and this new offering is the culmination of many years of my own personal healing.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have had to unlearn “needed to know” over and over again. For so long I fought the moment to “find my purpose” – completely and truly missing the point that “my purpose” is : living my life in the moment. When we pour too much of our attention into what has happened, what will happen, or what instagram bio we need to attract the “right” clientele, we are missing the point. The point of life is to be HERE, Now. I do believe it’s important to look forward, to have dreams and goals, but just like the wind, you feel it and let it pass by, returning back to what is here. The more I focus on bringing my best to the moment I am in, Life quite honestly brings me my next steps. I fought for so long to know what was next so that I could feel safe, secure and valued. Now I realize all these virtues live within me, and that the more I trust the moment I’m in, the more I am able to love the World around me. At 38 years old, There is no longer anything I am striving for or needing to prove, I’m just grateful I get to keep doing this thing called “life.”

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Consistency and listening. I show up and I listen. I listen to what others want to share, I listen to the moment I am in, I listen to what comes up in me and I trust it. I used to think I needed things outside myself to “make it,” and perhaps my greatest lesson of all is that nothing outside of you will bring you more joy than what you’re able to produce inside of you. I know without a doubt that I am successful because I love who I’ve become and I love every single person I get to work beside – there is no greater success than that. It doesn’t matter if I have a class of 3 people, or 30, I show up the same and I do not worry, nor do I boast because everything is always changing and I’m just here for the ride. I believe my greatest “strategy” is that I’m not in the business of “healing,” I’m in the business of helping people love who & where they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: breathedegrees.com
• Instagram: kirbyslager

Image Credits
photography @kindrarayne