As part of the Respira Mirasur project, Mirasur School welcomed Hugo Martínez Gutiérrez, firefighter for the Madrid City Council since 2007 and expert in conscious breathing, who led a workshop for students in Year 7, 8, and 9 (1º, 2º and 3º ESO). The session combined theory and hands-on practice to show students how breathing can become a key tool for self-regulation, wellbeing, and stress management.

Martínez began training in breathing techniques in 2013, after facing one of the most difficult moments of his life: the loss of a child. “After six months of darkness, I began to see the light when I realised how important the way we breathe truly is. Breathing was my way forward—what helped me regain clarity and balance,” he shared during the session.

His goal for the workshop was to offer students a clear and empowering message:
“We can prevent up to 90% of the stress episodes we experience throughout the week if we learn to manage our breathing. Many moments of anxiety in our daily lives can be avoided. Conscious breathing helps protect us from external pressure and allows us to respond in a calmer, more effective way.”

The workshop also had an emotional touch, as Hugo was accompanied by his daughter, Irene Martínez Villamiña, who turned 17 on the same day and chose to share this experience with him. “It has been a beautiful experience. I felt great energy at Mirasur—very positive and familiar. It reminded me a lot of the atmosphere in the fire service,” he said

Theory and practice of breathing

Throughout the session, students took part in a theoretical introduction to the neuroscience of breathing, the focus of consciousness, and the role of the nervous system in stress responses. The workshop ended with a guided practice of breathing techniques, giving students the opportunity to experience firsthand how slow, deep breathing improves calmness, focus, and emotional control.

Mirasur School’s director, Pedro Sampedro, highlighted the importance of this visit within the broader Respira Mirasur programme: “Hugo doesn’t just share technical knowledge—he shares life experience. Hearing from someone who found in breathing a real pathway to managing pain and stress is incredibly valuable for our students. At Mirasur, we believe conscious breathing is a key tool for emotional regulation, and initiatives like this strengthen that learning.”

Respira Mirasur is a school-wide programme aimed at establishing healthy breathing habits from Early Years through Sixth Form, integrating conscious breathing into students’ daily routines as a tool to enhance wellbeing, attention, and emotional management. Hugo Martínez’s visit has been an enriching step forward on this journey.