The Guided Breath

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The Guided Breath

The Guided Breath | Nikki McGann
Breathe Better. Feel Better. Perform at Your Best.

Evidence- Based Breath Educator & Practitioner
Health | Performance | Corporate
Geelong | 🌏 Online
Free Monthly Community Breathwork

www.theguidedbreath.com

02/11/2026

20 years ago, we said I do. ❤️

Looking back at these photos, it’s hard to believe two decades have passed.

Two kids, lots of adventures, different chapters, plenty of changes, some challenges, lots of laughs, a house that has always been full of pets (and still has a Border Collie running the show) and an incredible amount of life lived in between.

We’ve grown up a lot since these photos were taken. People knocking on our door to sell us something no longer ask for our parents like they did when we were first married!

Twenty years of figuring things out together, navigating the highs and lows, supporting each other through the different seasons of life and building a family.

We now have one son living away from home during the university year, with the other not far behind, finishing Year 11. And just like that, we’re starting to look towards the next chapter of life together.

Although, if we’re going to make it through the next 10 years, this will need to be our last Border Collie! There isn’t an amount of breathing techniques that will get me through the puppy phase again. 😂

Wouldn’t change the journey.

Happy 20th wedding anniversary to us. ❤️

02/11/2026

I’m a breathing practitioner, but that’s just one of the many hats I wear.

I’ve been a teacher, a Pilates instructor, a yoga student, a property and interior designer, and now I’m building a business around something I’m genuinely passionate about: helping people understand their breathing and how it can support the way they feel and function.

I’m also a wife, a mum, a dog mum, a cat mum, a daily dog walker and someone who is still learning to slow down, set boundaries and remember that I don’t have to do all the things, all the time.

My career has taken a few turns over the years, but perhaps there’s a common thread. I’ve always been interested in people, how we function, how we feel and what helps us thrive.

These days, I get to bring that curiosity into my work through breathing education and breathwork.

And yes, I still need to remind myself to stop, breathe and take my own advice.

Because apparently knowing a thing and consistently doing a thing are two entirely different skill sets.

What about you? How many hats are you wearing at the moment.

31/10/2026

Ever find yourself constantly sighing, yawning or trying to take a deeper breath, but still not feeling like you’ve quite got there?

Or perhaps you’ve been told by a health professional that your breathing could be contributing to how you’re feeling.

There’s actually a fascinating connection between the way you breathe, your heart rate and your nervous system.

Every time you breathe in and out, your heart rate naturally fluctuates.

Your vagus nerve plays an important role in this process, helping regulate your heart rate and supporting the communication between your heart and nervous system.

When we slow our breathing and allow a comfortable, slightly longer exhale, we can influence this response and support the body’s natural calming mechanisms.

This is one reason breathing techniques can be such a useful tool when we’re feeling overwhelmed, finding it difficult to switch off or simply need a moment to pause.

But here’s something I want you to remember.

Breathing better doesn’t mean taking bigger breaths or constantly trying to control your breathing.

If you’re already struggling to get a satisfying breath, forcing a deeper inhale may not be what your body needs.

My approach starts with understanding how you’re breathing now, identifying patterns and exploring techniques that work with your body.

Because the goal isn’t to spend your day thinking about every breath you take.

It’s to develop more comfortable, efficient breathing habits and have practical tools you can draw on when you need them.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your breathing could be affecting how you feel, I’d love to help you explore that.

I offer individual breathing and breathwork sessions in Geelong and online.

DM me or visit the link in my bio to find out more.

29/10/2026

Have you tried breathwork and come away feeling MORE anxious, with a tight chest or the frustrating feeling that you just can’t get a satisfying breath?

Perhaps you thought you were doing it wrong.

Or maybe you decided breathwork just wasn’t for you.

But breathwork isn’t one-size-fits-all.

There are many different approaches, and what feels supportive for one person might feel uncomfortable or overwhelming for another.

Sometimes, the answer isn’t to breathe deeper, try harder or push through.

It’s to slow things down, understand your breathing patterns and find an approach that works for you.

That’s why I take a functional-first, individualised approach to breathing.

We start by understanding what’s happening with your breath, then explore techniques at a pace that feels manageable for you.

There’s no pressure to achieve a particular experience, and no expectation that you need to push through discomfort.

You don’t have to be good at breathing to start working on your breathing.

If you’ve tried breathwork before and it didn’t feel right for you, perhaps you haven’t yet found the approach that suits you.

And if breathing regularly feels difficult, or you experience persistent chest tightness or breathlessness, it’s worth discussing this with an appropriate health professional rather than assuming it’s simply a breathing pattern.

If this sounds familiar, I’d love to help you explore a different approach.

Nikki | The Guided Breath
Geelong + online worldwide

28/10/2026

“Have you ever thought about learning how to breathe?”

It’s a strange thing to hear when breathing is something you do all day, every day.

Maybe you’ve been told your breathing is contributing to tension in your neck and shoulders.

Maybe you find yourself constantly sighing or yawning, feeling tight through your chest, or trying to take that one really satisfying deep breath.

And maybe you’ve tried breathwork before, but it didn’t feel particularly helpful.

Here’s what I want you to know: breathing better isn’t about trying harder.

It’s about understanding your breathing patterns, noticing what’s happening in your body and learning to work with your breath in a way that feels comfortable for you.

No forcing. No pressure to take enormous breaths. No need to push through discomfort.

We start where you are and explore what works for your body.

Because breathing is something you do all day, every day. It makes sense to understand how to do it comfortably.

I work with clients in person in Geelong and online, wherever they are.

If this sounds familiar, get in touch. I’d love to help you explore a different approach to breathing.

26/10/2026

Ever finished work, walked through the door at home and immediately started thinking about everything else you need to do?

Or sat down for a break, only to realise your mind is still running through tomorrow’s to-do list?

Yep!

We can move from one task to the next all day without giving ourselves a moment to catch up.

And while our brains are busy planning what’s next, our bodies can still be carrying the tension, effort and demands of whatever we’ve just been doing.

Sometimes, the answer isn’t another productivity hack or squeezing more into your day.

It’s creating a little space between things.

Close the laptop. Step outside. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice how you’re breathing.

You don’t need to force a deep breath or turn every break into a wellness ritual.

Just give yourself a moment to notice where you are before rushing into what’s next.

This is one of the things I love about working with the breath. It can help us become more aware of what we’re carrying and give us practical tools to support how we feel throughout the day.

You don’t have to wait until you’re overwhelmed to pause.

Tell me, are you good at transitioning between things, or do you tend to carry the last thing straight into the next?

25/10/2026

Sound & Breath Retreat- Part 2 Release

22/10/2026

My cat has absolutely nailed this whole resting thing. 😂

No rushing around.
No overthinking.
No mentally running through the 47 things on the to-do list.

Just snuggles, naps and being very committed to doing absolutely nothing.

Meanwhile, I’m over here trying to relax while thinking about everything I should be doing. 🙃

Maybe we could all learn a thing or two from our cats.

Sometimes we get so caught up in doing, we forget to pause and simply breathe.

A few slow breaths. A moment to soften. A little permission to stop holding everything together.

You don’t always need to do more. Sometimes you just need to slow down enough to be here. 🤍

(Although I suspect my cat would say the answer is more naps.)

When was the last time you stopped and took a breath just for you?

21/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined me last night for our free community breathwork session. It was so good to breathe with you.

Our next session is on Tuesday 10 November, and bookings are now open!

If you haven’t joined me before, this is a gentle, welcoming space to connect with your breath, tune into your body and explore different breathing techniques.

We’ll explore ways to use your breath to energise, settle and find balance in your body, building a toolkit of techniques you can draw on in everyday life.

No experience needed. No pressure to get it right. Just an opportunity to pause, breathe and learn a little more about yourself.

Join me from wherever you are in the world, in the comfort of your own home.

Tuesday 10 November | Online | Free

Book your place via the link in my bio.

I look forward to breathing with you!

15/10/2026

New hair. Same unpaid hype squad. 😂🐾

A quick refresh before this afternoon’s 1:1 client session, and naturally, the most important people in my life had to approve my hair first.

I think we have a winner. 😂

Now, back to breathing. 🤍

Address

Stephen Street
Newtown, VIC
3220

Website

http://www.theguidedbreath.com/

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