THE SOUL SPEAKS WITH ITS MOTHER TONGUE
By Carolina Febres
By Carolina Febres
Organizing my certification project of a transpersonal breathwork seminar was one of the most exciting and meaningful experiences of my life. It was more than the culmination of a long process—it felt like fulfilling a promise to myself and to a very special group of people: my Spanish-speaking community and friends.
I remember the first time I sought psychological help. I could not find anyone who spoke Spanish. I needed help so urgently that I was willing to go beyond my comfort zone, so I began psychoanalysis therapy in English. My therapist was wonderful, and I quickly grew very fond of her. She made a sincere effort to understand my background and my culture, yet it was difficult for both of us.
One day, she asked me, “Carolina, why do you never curse? Why don’t you curse when you’re angry?” She did not know that I had never learned to curse in English. My formal English education took place in a second-language school where such expressions were never taught. In that moment, we both realized how limited my emotional expression was in a foreign language, and how challenging it was for her to truly understand my inner world.
One of my greatest struggles during that period was the inability to express my emotions freely. I barely do it in Spanish—and it was impossible in English.
From that experience, I came to understand something profound: the soul needs to speak in its mother tongue. Offering breathwork sessions in Spanish means far more than simply facilitating healing. It allows participants to reconnect with the deepest parts of themselves, in the language that carries their memories, emotions, and identity.
Being able to provide these sessions to my community fills me with gratitude. For me, it is a way of giving back—and for them, it is a precious gift: the opportunity to let their souls speak in the language they were born to use.
This makes all the difference in the world. Although I have always felt deep within my soul that I needed to express myself in Spanish, I have lived in this country for the past twenty-five years. The only access I had to my emotional world was through English, and over time I developed the habit of expressing only half of what I truly wanted to say. It seemed that my original struggle—the inability to fully express myself—was still present.
For many Americans, it is difficult to relate to this feeling, because they rarely face the need to learn another language. English connects them to much of the world. Yet we all know that human beings grow through challenges, and the lessons I have learned from expressing only half of my soul have been profound and transformative. One thing I have learned is the importance of persistence in improving myself, and that language is not the only tool we have to express who we are. There is something deeper that allows us to be truly seen by others, and that is the sense of community we build. It is in the shared moments, the kindness of others, and the willingness to listen that I have discovered a voice beyond words—one that bridges the gaps my vocabulary cannot. Through this, I have come to understand that connection does not depend solely on perfect grammar or flawless pronunciation, but on the courage to show up as oneself and let others meet you halfway.
Recently, I traveled to Colombia for a plant medicine journey, and my goodness, how good it felt—to be understood, to be seen, to be able to express myself completely. That experience strengthened my commitment to my Spanish-speaking community. I promised myself that I would continue to make things better for them.
When it comes to breathwork, my soul finally knows how to express itself completely—without restriction. That is what I hope to offer my community: the opportunity to express their souls fully, in the language of their hearts. So I can make their roads less bumpy …
Language is far more than a tool of communication—it is the bridge between the mind and the soul. Through breathwork, I have learned that healing begins when people are able to express their truth in the language that feels most authentic to them. My journey has taught me that honoring one’s mother tongue is an act of self-love, cultural pride, and spiritual liberation. By creating spaces where others can breathe, feel, and speak freely in Spanish, I am not only helping my community heal—I am allowing my own soul to speak its truth at last.
