At Block and Breathe, we believe that everyone deserves a life filled with profound well-being, where joy and ease are well within reach. Our group classes and personalized sessions combine breathwork, self-bodywork and gentle movements to release emotional blockages, boost energy, and promote physical ease—unlocking your body's natural healing abilities and enhancing your overall well-being in a lasting, transformative way.
Step into our sanctuary for a journey of emotional and physical renewal. As a certified breathwork facilitator and Block Therapy™ instructor, I integrate ancient wisdom with innovative fascia decompression techniques to elevate your health.
Our approach directly addresses the roots of physical discomfort and stress. Through customized breath patterns and pressure sequences on a specially designed block, we help relieve tension, improve mobility and reduce pain—leaving your more relaxed, energized and downright joyful.
Join us and discover your most vibrant, stress-free self!
Welcome to our new space for
LIVE classes at the White Barn!
Find Your Balance,
Breathe Deep, and Blossom
In the meantime, stay tuned.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Block and Breathe!
Ready to discover new levels of joy and freedom?
Upcoming Block Therapy™ & Breathwork Classes in the Hudson Valley
Exciting news for wellness enthusiasts in the Hudson Valley! New live Block Therapy™ & Breathwork classes are on the horizon. Whether you’re seeking in-person sessions to deepen your practice or online classes for convenience, we’ve got you covered.
Stay Tuned for New Class Schedules and Online Sessions!
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Diana’s poise, knowledge and thoughtful guidance in our Breathwork session created a space in which I was able to fully immerse myself in the meditation. She created a space that allowed for relaxation, exploration and self discovery. I left the session feeling renewed, refreshed and more deeply connected with myself.
– Amanda T.
I've been practicing breathwork for about a year and a half now and have not experienced anything as powerful as the class Diana puts on on a consistent basis. I've attended other breathwork classes and have not found anything near as transformative.
– Adam M.
The class was wonderful! ♡ ♡ ♡ Diana's relaxed, soothing, thoroughly comfortable approach is only possible because she is so knowledgeable and organized. The class was so well thought out and structured from the pace and information to the music (which was great). What I especially appreciated was Diana's unwitting ability to be in my head. I would be having a question in my mind; (Am I doing this right? Should my arm be in this position?) and she would answer the question in her teaching. She had understanding and compassion for the insecurities or unsureness we might be experiencing.
– Chris C.
Diana creates such a warm, nurturing space for getting in touch with the needs of the body. I was also fortunate enough to leave with a new resource for my physical body and emotional body in the form of the block therapy. It is such a gift to have this in the Hudson Valley!
– Kylie U.
I was so thrilled to be there! Such an exceptionally welcoming and comfortable venue, instructor and experience for a first timer.
– Katie J.
As a beginner who just took my first class with Diana, I can attest to her expertise and healing, therapeutic approach. Don’t miss this opportunity!
– Lauryn F.
TESTIMONIALS
Diana's breathwork sessions are profoundly transformative. She makes this possible by providing gentle and specific guidance so that participants can feel comfortable and safe, thereby enabling us to be fully open to the experience. I've gained healing and a deeper understanding of myself in every session. I'm so grateful Diana shares her passion and her gifts with this technique.
– Maryan N
Diana exudes positivity! Her class instills you with a calm energy, and leaves you feeling lighter, centered and healthy.
– Angela M.
Thank you for this caring and generous offering for all who gathered with you. Your attentiveness in preparation and in receiving us all was and is exquisite.
– Moriah V.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a practice of conscious connected breathing that taps into the body's natural healing abilities and capacity for self-love, serving as an active form of meditation. There are various styles of breathwork, and the one that I teach is the two-stage pranayama breath, which I learned from David Elliott. This technique involves breathing through the mouth with a two-stage inhalation: first into the low belly, then into the high chest, followed by a relaxed exhalation. I train regularly with David to deepen my practice and teaching.
The benefits of breathwork are extensive and include stress relief, improved mental clarity, enhanced emotional well-being, increased energy, better sleep, deeper connection with yourself and others, and a greater sense of awe, delight, and ability to live from the heart.
What is Block Therapy™ ?
Block Therapy™ is a restorative, detoxifying form of self-bodywork that enhances the breathwork experience in our classes. By opening up the diaphragm and pectoral areas, it allows more space for the breath to flow and addresses areas of the body that feel tight or restricted. Using a specially designed wooden block (or a tightly rolled-up towel), this practice releases adhesions in the body's connective tissue caused by stress, injury, and aging. Through conscious breath and strategic block placement, restrictions break down, increasing oxygen and blood flow. Each position improves alignment, range of motion, and promotes tissue healing. Block Therapy™ can effectively enhance strength, flexibility, posture, and overall well-being.
The practice of Block Therapy™ is based on three pillars:
1. Create Space: Decompress and release fascial adhesions throughout the body using the block.
2. Inflate Space: Practice proper diaphragmatic breathing to expand the body’s internal space.
3. Maintain Space: Learn to strengthen the body’s foundation to support proper cellular alignment, improving posture in day-to-day activities.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
My Mission
To lift individuals towards holistic wellness through the transformative power of breathwork and Block Therapy™
My Vision
To cultivate a space where individuals can lift burdens, discover balance within, and blossom into their truest state of joy and freedom. Here, we build a sanctuary for well-being, a sanctuary as welcoming and expansive as a cherished treehouse, where deep breaths unlock potential and growth flourishes.
Core Values
Breathe Deep, Find Joy: I believe joy is an inherent part of being human. Through breathwork practices, I help you unlock the wellspring of joy within, allowing you to experience life with greater enthusiasm and connection.
Unblock Your Freedom: Freedom from physical limitations and emotional burdens allows you to move through life with ease and grace. Block Therapy™ and breathwork combine to release restrictions, empowering you to embrace your full potential and live authentically.
Flow with Balance: Balance isn't about rigidity; it's about finding the rhythm within yourself. I cultivate a holistic approach that integrates movement, breathwork, and self-awareness practices, guiding you towards a life that feels balanced, harmonious, and deeply fulfilling.
My Story
Hello, I'm Diana Benz, a breathwork facilitator, Block Therapy™ instructor and energy healer who is dedicated to guiding you on a heart-centered journey back to your natural balance, joy, and freedom. I deeply believe in the transformative power of listening to and nurturing our bodies, creating space for healing—with the breath as the key to unlocking genuine transformation.
My own path mirrors the challenges many of us face navigating life’s changes. Yoga and Reiki were my initial guides, with yoga serving as my trusted medicine for keeping my body and my emotions healthy. Upon entering my 40s, however, I began encountering puzzling health issues. My beloved yoga practice no longer offered the relief it once did, and I grappled with chronic pain, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from my body. This led me to explore new avenues for healing and personal growth.
When I discovered breathwork—a time-honored form of active meditation that profoundly expanded my ability to feel and release emotions—I was immediately hooked. Then came Block Therapy™—an innovative self-bodywork practice that emphasizes proper alignment and diaphragmatic breathing, alleviating the chronic pain I once thought I'd have to endure for life. Together, these practices have brought me to a level of joy and well-being I never imagined possible, fueling my passion for supporting others on their healing journeys.
Today I am recognized as a lovingly devoted mother, space holder, and guide, nurturing others with warmth, curiosity, and a passion for learning, while infusing my offerings with reverence for the rhythms of the natural world. I create environments that support growth and transformation.
We all face challenges, but beyond these obstacles lies beauty and freedom, discovered through welcoming and honoring what needs to be felt in order to heal. I'm excited to connect with you and support your journey as you blossom into greater balance, joy, and freedom—one breath at a time.
Diana is a fantastic healer with pure angelic energy! Join her for a wonderful experience. ♡
– David Elliott
CREDENTIALS & TRAININGS
Certified Block Therapy™ Instructor, Block Therapy Academy | 2024
Certified Levels 1-5 Breathwork Facilitator, David Elliott | 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024
Certified Reiki Master, Brett Bevell | 2010
67 hour Classical Yoga Teacher Training, Beryl Bender | 2010
40 hour ParaYoga Teacher Training Intensive, Rod Stryker | 2009
20 hour Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, Sudha Carolyn Lundeen | 2009
200 hour Certified Yoga Instructor, 7 Centers Yoga Arts | 2008
M.Ed degree in Multicultural Education from George Mason University
PERSONALITY TYPE
Myers-Briggs: INFJ
16 Personalities: The Adventurer (ISFP-T)
CliftonStrengths: Learner, Harmony, Input, Responsibility, Deliberative
Sacred Money Archetypes: Accumulator, Maverick, Alchemist
Human Design: Manifesting Generator
Astrology: Virgo Sun, Aquarius Moon, Taurus Rising
Your offering was epic and we are all so grateful for your share. I have been listening to the playlist and had a visceral shift from just the listening!
– Annie Okerlin
Thank you for the class, I love the energy your bring to teaching, it's very exciting!
– Lila Simoncini
Ready to breathe new life and joy into your wellness journey?
Discover how we can work together to reach your wellness goals.
Schedule a free consultation today.
The White Barn
20 Palatine Park Rd
Germantown,
NY 12526, USA
Located at
NY Spine & Wellness
This beautiful space thanks to the generosity of Dr Angelo Castello at NY Spine & Wellness
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