Welcome and thank you for being here

​We live in a world overflowing with health advice - on breathing, movement, relaxation, and healing. But much of it is generic, one-size-fits-all, and when it comes to something as personal as your body and nervous system, generic advice often falls short.

True healing is not about following a method - it’s about finding what works for you.

Some people are told to take big, deep breaths - but for them, that only increases anxiety and breathlessness. Others are encouraged to push through intense breath-work or rigid yoga routines, only to feel worse. We have seen so many people try popular techniques, believing they were doing the right thing, only to end up more disconnected from their own body.

That’s why we take an individualised approach - because your body, your breath, and your healing journey are unique.

We offer two distinct but complementary services:

Breathing Retraining Using science-backed breathing techniques, psychology, and body-mind therapy, we help people overcome anxiety, sleep struggles, chronic illness, and dysfunctional breathing. This isn’t about forcing your body to adapt to a method - it’s about learning to breathe in a way that supports your health.

Yoga Therapy & Somatic Healing: For those seeking a more holistic approach, we integrate gentle movement,  somatic therapy, breath-work, emotional release, and meditation to help restore balance in both body and mind. Whether you're dealing with stress, trauma, chronic tension, or feeling stuck, this approach allows for deep, nervous system-focused healing.

If you've ever felt like standard techniques didn’t work for you - if you’re tired of the confusion and want expert, personalised support - you’re in the right place. Let’s find what truly works for you.

breathe your way to health

Are you struggling with anxiety, breathlessness or chronic health issues that just won't resolve? You're not alone. Many people feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn when conventional methods don't seem to work.

At Breathing to Heal we offer a personalised holistic approach that addresses your unique needs, combining tailored functional breathing retraining programs, psychosomatic therapy and yoga therapy to help you to heal from within. 

overcome chronic health struggles and breathe easy again

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We understand how difficult it is to find lasting solutions, especially when past techniques or treatments have fallen short.  Our approach is different - it's completely individualised, holistic and designed to bring you the relief you have been seeking. We teach you how to maintain it with proven techniques that address the root cause of your symptoms. 

our unique approach

At Breathing to Heal we help you achieve holistic wellness by offering two distinct paths to healing:

Yoga therapy

A comprehensive approach combining breath retraining, psychosomatic therapy, and yoga therapy to address physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. This service is suitable for people wanting to manage stress as well as those looking for a holistic approach to healing chronic illness, by integrating the mind and body for lasting deep rooted change.

breathing retraining

A focused functional breathing retraining program designed to improve respiratory function, reduce stress, enhance overall wellbeing, and address conditions such as asthma, anxiety, sleep disorders - snoring  insomnia, sleep apnea - long covid, fibromyalgia and chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and hypertension. ​

Two paths to wellness

We understand that everyones journey to better health is unique. Whether you're looking for a full mind-body healing practise or prefer a targeted focus on breathing, we have the perfect solution for you. Which ever path you choose, our personalised programs will guide you towards greater health and vitality.

yoga therapy: breathwork + Body-mind healing 

For those who want a holistic, integrative approach that combines breath-work with body-mind healing, our Yoga Therapy program incorporates:
  • Personalised breathing techniques and retraining: following scientifically-backed methods like Buteyko breathing to correct dysfunctional breathing patterns to enhance oxygenation to the cells and reduce stress.
  • Psychosomatic therapy:  by using gentle manual techniques, we release stored trauma and emotional blockages that may be holding you back from full healing. 
  • Yoga therapy: utilising this holistic framework combines physical practices, mindfulness, breathing exercises, meditation, and positive psychology designed to support recovery from chronic health conditions.
​This path is ideal for anyone dealing with chronic illness, emotional challenges, or those seeking to realign with their true purpose. Whether you're new to breath-work and yoga or a seasoned practitioner, we'll work with you to create a program that fits your lifestyle and goals.

breathing retraining: Functional breathing program 

For those who prefer to focus solely on improving their breathing patterns, our Breathing to Heal functional breathing program is designed to retrain your breathing, using scientifically-backed methods like Buteyko breathing, to unlock a host of benefits:
  • Reduce anxiety and panic attacks: calm your mind and body through functional breathing exercises.
  • Improve respiratory health: whether you're struggling with asthma, shortness of breath, snoring, sleep apnea, COPD, retraining your breathing can make all the difference.
  • Enhance sleep and relaxation: experience deeper more restful sleep and a greater sense of calm in your daily life. 
  • Improve cardiovascular health: functional breathing helps to regulate your blood pressure and more. 
  • Improve athletic performance: functional breathing can also enhance your physical fitness and performance.  
This program is perfect for individuals who want to focus purely on breathing techniques and postural adjustments to restore functional breathing to improve physical health, mental health and performance. ​

our approach: personalised care, proven results

Our approach is comprehensive and tailored - no two people are the same, and neither are your healing needs. We take into account your personal health history, current challenges, and emotional state to create a solution that works specifically for you. 
We tailor every program to fit your needs, ensuring no mater which path you choose, your journey to wellness is personalised, effective and supported by evidence-based techniques. 

meet our team

Led by Danika Michelle, an internationally certified yoga therapist, trauma informed - psychosomatic therapist, and Buteyko breathing practitioner with almost 20 years of experience helping many people overcome chronic health conditions through both comprehensive and focused approaches. She was trained by renowned experts in the field and incorporates the latest evidence-based techniques into her sessions. We also work closely with Dr Christian, a clinical exercise physiologist (PhD) specialising in pulmonary rehabilitation and neuroscience, to ensure you receive the best care possible.

danika michelle

Hi, I'm Danika, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), certified Buteyko breathing practitioner (C-BBM), trauma informed - psychosomatic therapist and founder of Breathing to Heal. ​Driven by a deep reverence for all living beings and a commitment to kindness and healing, my life is dedicated to helping others find balance and peace by sharing tools that have brought me much peace and healing in my own journey.

dr christian thoma

Hi, I'm Christian, a nutritionist, clinical exercise physiologist, and senior lecturer. My passion lies in helping others restore health and optimise performance through diet, movement, sleep, and breathing. Inspired by both my research and personal journey with allergies and food intolerances, I believe in the power of individualised approaches to healh and well-being.

which path is right for you

Whether you're seeking a holistic transformation, or just want to retrain your breathing, Breathing to Heal offers the right program for your unique needs. 
"I've tried breathing techniques before, but they didn't work."
We hear you - this can be so frustrating! Many generic breathing techniques can be ineffective or even counterproductive. We often work with people who have come from other breathing programs, as well as those who have tried yoga, pilates, and various breath-work practices. Our approach is unique because it is completely personalised and science-backed. We take the time to find exactly what works for you, drawing on tools from a range of methods when needed. This holistic and tailored approach often makes all the difference.

"I'm dealing with too many health issues to fix with just breathing."
Our methods go beyond just breathing exercises. We address physical, mental, and emotional challenges as interconnected aspects of your overall well-being. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, asthma, hormonal imbalances, or other chronic health issues, we work to bring balance to your entire system. This integrated approach helps your body, mind, and emotions come into harmony, allowing your body's natural intelligence to take over and support healing.

"I'm not sure if I can stick with this."
That's a common concern, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Many clients notice significant improvements within just a few sessions, offering you quick wins that encourage ongoing progress. Our sessions are designed to be both effective and manageable, helping you to incorporate the practices into your daily life with ease.

why choose breathing to heal

Expert-led and proven: with years of experience and continued training in Buteyko, yoga therapy, psychosomatic therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, we offer real, effective solutions.

Personalised care: no 'cookie-cutter' techniques - we focus on works best for you. 
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Holistic healing: our approach addresses your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to lasting transformation.

recent TESTIMONIALS

Don't just take our word for it – see what our clients have to say about their experience with us.

​We're proud to have helped countless individuals achieve better health and wellness through our offerings.
"I contacted Danika in early January after I had spent most of the previous year struggling with Long Covid. I had started to improve, and I knew that movement was important to my recovery, but that it had to be gentle and tailored to my needs to ensure that it did not trigger the overexertion / crash cycle.  Danika is a yoga therapist – not just a yoga teacher.  At our very first session she took a detailed “case history”.  From there she was able to build me an individualised programme.  Almost immediately working with Danika I found that I experienced a loosening of tension and increased openness in my rib cage and shoulders.  Slowly but steadily my breathing started to feel more comfortable.  My fatigue dropped away and I was able to get back to the things I was doing before – all with a feeling of being a bit more grounded.
I have also gained the confidence and capacity to attend local yoga class and know that I am doing it safely, for example, making the adjustments for my hypermobility and to pace myself according to my energy levels. Danika teaches the Buteyko breathing method.  As an asthmatic, I had heard of this technique, but I had never given it a try.  I have found that having a daily breath work practice has transformed my energy levels and my ability to find moments of calm in the day.  It is now a daily habit that I am very grateful for.  I recommend Danika's services to others."
Melanie, Auckland 
"I tell my friends that seeing you is like going on a retreat, but having an all in one place for body, mind and  emotional healing. You always intuitively know what I need when I come through the door. Even with all the stress I’ve been through lately from the cyclone during our session today I felt completely relaxed like I was levitating."
Brenna, Auckland
"Danika is the best practitioner who I have ever worked with. I was diagnosed with glioblastoma almost a year and a half ago and had an awake brain surgery and radiotherapy and chemotherapy. My whole central nervous system needed gentle work even for the most simple movements. Danika is very careful that I fill my movements with tenderness and understanding as time is key to healing myself. Part of what really helps in this journey is a guided meditation which makes me feel very secure and part of the presence. This was difficult in the past, because I did different only aerobic yoga but didn’t understand the importance of the being in the present. After working with Danika I feel physically and emotionally stronger. Our sessions are such a lovely time of my week. Many thanks to Danika and I would recommend her to anyone."
​Sandra, Ireland, UK
"Finding Danika has been a real gift. I was new to yoga when I searched for a place to start and now I feel what I get from our sessions is invaluable. Each practice is healing and empowering in an environment that's professional, empathetic and caring. She seems to be able to effortlessly tune in to what I need, be it movement, stillness, focus or calm. I am very grateful to have met her and to be able to benefit from her vast experience and learning. Danika is one of those wonderful people that makes a difference. 🙏🧘‍♀️"
Sue, Auckland 
"Working with Danika has been a game-changer for me! It took a while but my asthma is totally gone, and I don't need inhalers anymore. My sleep apnea and snoring are also way better. Plus, I've noticed other health improvements, all because we changed the way I breathe. It's pretty amazing!"
Cliff, Auckland

START YOUR JOURNEY TO WELLNESS 

No matter which program you choose, our personalised approach will help you achieve
greater ​calm, clarity, and health. 

Ready to get started?

Latest content:

​Breathing for Better Health

There is no more simple and powerful daily practise to improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing than correcting your breathing. ​If we had to give just one tip on healthier living, it would simply be to learn how to breathe correctly.
​
Our breathing is intimately linked with our nervous system. Our nervous system has a powerful influence on all our other body systems including our hormones and immune system. Therefore how we breathe determines our health. Improper breathing is a common cause of illness. ​

Are you breathing too much?

Ready to start your own journey towards breathing easy and greater health? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve your goals.

holistic yoga therapy for chronic health conditions

Yoga therapy is a specialty within the yoga tradition that empowers you to progress toward improved holistic health through the practise of yoga. A certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) considers all aspects of your wellbeing, and utilises a whole-being approach to assess the needs of your body, breath, mind, emotions and connection to spirit.

​Ready to start your own journey towards holistic wellness? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve your goals.

Do you Struggle to meditate?

breathing to heal from asthma

​It is well documented in research that a child or adult with asthma habitually breathes more air than a person without asthma. This can be recognised by the bad habits of mouth breathing, upper chest breathing, audible breathing and noticeable breathing at rest. The habit of over-breathing causes a disturbance of blood gases, as well as cooling and drying of the airways resulting in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. We can help you to restore functional breathing and heal from asthma. Learn more about Breathing to Heal from asthma.
Do you or a loved one suffer from asthma? Contact us today to schedule a consultation for help with breathing to heal from asthma.

Stress, anxiety and panic disorder

Learn how to manage stress, anxiety, and panic attacks by understanding how your body's autonomic nervous system works.
Our breathing re-training can help you overcome dysfunctional breathing patterns and restore balance to your body's systems, leading to a more calm, relaxed and joyful lifestyle.

Quick Nasal Decongestion: Unblock Your Nose with This Simple Breathing Technique

Discover a simple and effective breathing technique to quickly decongest and unblock your nose. Say goodbye to stuffiness with this easy exercise that can provide immediate relief. Regular practice will help your body adapt, keeping your nose clear. Use this exercise whenever you feel congestion, even during a heavy cold.  It's also important to address the underlying patterns contributing to nasal congestion.

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our services 

We are based in Auckland, New Zealand for in-person sessions, and offer online consultations via Zoom and Skype for our international clients. We have options for international payment via PayPal and Bitcoin. ​

free guided breathing meditation

​Sign up to our mailing list and receive a link to your free 20-minute guided corrective breathing relaxation and begin your Breathing to Heal journey today.
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