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What Every Coach Should Know About the Connection between Breathing and the Nervous System Regulation

Your client has the right goals. They've identified the behaviors they want to change. They understand what success looks like. Yet they continue to struggle with stress, emotional reactivity, focus, or sustaining meaningful change.

Why?

Increasingly, research points to the nervous system as a critical factor influencing performance, resilience, emotional regulation, and decision-making under pressure. While coaches are highly skilled at exploring mindset, beliefs, and behaviors, many have never been taught how to recognize the physiological patterns that may be affecting a client's ability to perform at their best.

One of the clearest windows into nervous system regulation is breathing.

Join the ICF Washington State Chapter on Thursday July 9, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 PM PDT for a highly practical and experiential session with breathing physiology expert Kevin Connelly, where you'll learn how breath assessment can provide valuable insights into client performance, stress regulation, and emotional well-being.

Coach Community Connection is wrapping up in June, read on to learn how to get involved.

What does it look like when a coach commits to getting people not from A to B, but from A to infinity? This months Coach to Coach interview with Janice Lichtenwaldt reveals all.

What Makes Us Distinctly Human — A Conversation with Lyssa deHart, MCC
This months coach to coach interview

Your chapter wants to hear from you. We're building out our Speaker Series and looking for coaches from within our own community to share their expertise in three areas members care about most: Business Development, Coaching Mastery, and Health & Wellness for Coaches. Whether you've written a book, built something remarkable, or simply have a perspective worth sharing — this is your moment.

Do you have an ACC credential or higher and a passion for giving back? ICF Washington State's Partnerships team is looking for Pro Bono Coaches and a Program Manager for the Mentors in Tech (MinT) partnership — a program that opens doors to coaching for overlooked and underserved tech students. Opportunities are open now through fall 2026.

Bringing coaches together live and in-person to spark relationships and momentum. Share insights, discover tools, and grow faster through connection, collaboration, and energizing exchange rounds.

Last month we flipped the switch on something we've been building toward for a long time — a new website and the inaugural issue of True North. As we pause to catch our breath and celebrate this milestone, Ashley reflects on what it means to climb, camp, and recalibrate — and what's ahead as spring takes root across the Pacific Northwest.

Build Your Edge. Deepen Your Impact. Step Into What’s Next With Your ICF Credential. Credentialing Support for Every Stage of Your Journey

Whether you're pursuing an ICF credential, renewing one, or supporting others along the way, ICF is at your side.

Our latest ICF Washington State Member Spotlight, Shirlene Evans talks with Patty Burgin, MCC, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at SeattleCoach Training and Development Company

Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve our coaching community? We are seeking a Volunteer Experience Program Manager to design a welcoming journey for members ready to give back.

The ICF Washington State Chapter is thrilled to launch the 1st Coach Community Connection (CCC) event! These local events, volunteer-led gatherings are being crafted in response to member requests for more meaningful, in-person connections.