Breathe First is a modern wellness project offering a genuinely holistic menu of services. Our mission is to build community and engage in conversation/collaboration that serves to ground us in appreciation of things worth sustaining and push us forward where change is essential.

We believe in the power of pausing. We believe in the importance of imagination, curiosity, kindness, and exploration. Life makes many demands—some lovely and some harmful. No matter what, breathe first.

We were founded by Emily Thornton in 2016 as a collective effort to build community rooted in meandering conversation, discovery, and imagination. We believe in the power of gathering together, of marveling at what we know and what we do not not know, of learning and growing in each other’s company as we become, simultaneously, more at home in ourselves.

Our programming is designed to be malleable and tailored to your needs. We invite your voice and your vision into every step of the process. There’s a lot of work to be done out in the world and we do our best to integrate the concept of service into our approach and our guidance. In Karma Yoga there is a concept referred to in Sanskrit as ‘seva,’ or selfless service. This is essentially an instruction to ensure that our mindfulness practices and personal growth include time for contributing to society and the well-being of others—for what is more healing than knowing we’ve been a positive impact in the life of someone else?

Breathe First is a community wherein you can pause from the frantic pace of things. We’ll talk, move, and play through all that lives in your bodymind. Gradually, you will feel empowered to redefine or rediscover your highest purpose in this one wild & precious life. We are here for you in all the ways we possibly can be as you begin, or continue, taking these exciting steps towards a more interconnected and joyful existence.

Our Team

Emily Thornton, LCSW, MSW, E-CYT-200

Founder, Psychotherapist & Yoga/Meditation Instructor

Emily’s work as a therapist is rooted in DBT, ACT, MSBR, and trauma-sensitive approaches to psychodynamic work. You’ll find that Emily aims to create a truly equitable partnership with you as the work takes the pace and shape necessary for your growth and goals. Using foundational principles and practices from the traditions of Patanjali’s Eightfold Path—including asana, seated meditation and radical compassion—Emily will guide you in infusing your overall wellness plan with a diverse range of options that address your truest, wisest self.

Kelsey Merdian

Certified Mediation and Hypnosis Guide

Kelsey is a trained meditation and hypnosis guide offering mindful instruction for creating more balance in your bodymind. Rooted in the traditional Vipassana style of meditation, focusing on insight and wisdom, Kelsey’s guidance is aimed at exploring where you are in your path identifying opportunities to grow or let go. In all of her sessions, she offers a warm and collaborative experience to help you move toward what you seek, while also creating space to appreciate or find peace with what is. Kelsey offers group and individual sessions, and she’ll work with you to tailor content if you have ideas or specific needs.