David Balfe

My name is David Balfe, and I am the founder of Dragn Yoga & Wellbeing, based in Warrington, Cheshire, UK. As a trauma-informed yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator and meditation coach, my mission is to guide people (especially men and those navigating high-stress environments) towards greater mental clarity, emotional resilience, and holistic wellbeing.

My journey into yoga and breathwork began not on a mat, but in the midst of life’s challenges. For over a decade, I balanced a demanding IT career with powerlifting, martial arts and a vibrant life as a DJ and raver. Like many, I initially sought yoga in 2013 to address physical challenges: chronic back pain, poor posture, and the wear and tear from years of weightlifting and Thai Boxing. Hot yoga, with its intensity and heat, became my sanctuary, offering not just improved mobility and flexibility but also a profound sense of mental calm and clarity.

However, it was the turbulence of becoming a new father, launching a business, and letting go of my old identity that truly deepened my practice. During this period, I experienced chronic stress and anxiety, common challenges for many men in today’s fast-paced world. Seeking answers, I embarked on a plant medicine retreat, working with Ayahuasca. The experience unravelled old patterns and illuminated a new path forward, one grounded in self-awareness, presence and holistic health.

Yoga for me evolved from being a purely physical discipline into a science-informed, practical system for self-regulation and transformation. The Sanskrit root of yoga, ‘yuj’, means to unite and that’s precisely what my approach is about: uniting breath, body, mind, and spirit to cultivate balance and wholeness.

Through my training, holding a 200-hour diploma in yoga teaching, a 100-hour certificate in meditation and advanced breathwork facilitator credentials, I have developed a trauma-aware, accessible and inclusive teaching style. My classes and coaching sessions draw from Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and Kundalini yoga, as well as mindfulness and yogic meditation, pranayama and functional breathing, modern neuroscience and conscious connected breathwork.

At Dragn Yoga & Wellbeing, I provide a range of services designed to meet people where they are, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner. My offerings include:

Yoga Classes & 1-1 Sessions: Personalised, breath-led, and functional movement-focused, integrating strength and mobility work for real-life benefits.

Breathwork Coaching: Trauma-informed, science-backed sessions to enhance lung capacity, regulate the nervous system, and support emotional wellbeing. Utilising techniques rooted in deep functional diaphragmatic breathing and yogic pranayama (Ujjayi, Kumbhaka).

Meditation & Mindfulness: Practical tools for cultivating clarity, resilience, and presence, grounded in both ancient wisdom and modern research.

Men’s Wellbeing Programmes: Addressing the unique challenges men face, from stress and anxiety to identity and purpose, through integrated masculinity coaching, men’s groups and community events.

Corporate Wellbeing Workshops: Tailored sessions for organisations seeking to improve staff resilience, focus, and emotional health.

Online Courses & App: Accessible resources for yoga, breathwork, and meditation, empowering you to practice anytime, anywhere.

My approach is grounded in the belief that yoga, breathwork and meditation are powerful tools for navigating the pressures of modern life. I blend ancient practices with contemporary science, always maintaining a trauma-informed, practical, and inclusive ethos.

My teaching is shaped by my own lived experience of overcoming stress, anxiety, and burnout, developing self-mastery and by a genuine commitment to making these practices accessible to everyone regardless of age, gender, or background.

I am particularly passionate about engaging men in these practices, breaking down stigma, and offering practical, actionable strategies for stress mastery, emotional regulation, and self-leadership. My work is informed by a diverse background in martial arts, powerlifting, and music, which brings a unique flavour to my classes and workshops.

Trauma-Informed Expertise: All sessions are delivered with sensitivity to individual needs and backgrounds.

Science-Based & Practical: Evidence-led techniques for real-world results.

Inclusive & Supportive: Classes and programmes are open to all, with a special focus on men’s wellbeing.

Authentic & Relatable: I bring real-life experience, humility and a sense of humour to my teaching.

Whether you’re seeking to manage stress, improve physical health, or cultivate greater clarity and resilience, I invite you to join me at Dragn Yoga & Wellbeing. Together, we can explore practical tools for living a more balanced, empowered, and fulfilling life.

If you’d like to learn more, book a class, or connect for a chat about how yoga, breathwork, and meditation can support your journey, please reach out.

I’m here to help you find your way back to your unique wholeness.

David Balfe
Founder, Dragn Yoga & Wellbeing | Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork Teacher | Men’s Wellness Advocate | Warrington, Cheshire, UK