Breathe School

This was the guidance I received towards the end of last year, and that I am now actioning.

For the time being, there will be a pause on Breathe School public offerings for 2024. It feels like the time for me to be in full receiving mode while I replenish from these first few years in business and reset the foundations for what the next chapter of business (and life) holds.

When I received this guidance I was depleted and resisting the need to take rest. I knew I needed it but in this world of constant growth, forward and upward movement it felt risky and almost wrong to stop - to rest, recoup, recover, reflect and reset. Which is so strange because that is what we need to do. Rest. All of us. None of us can keep going, keep pushing, keep hustling, creating, working, moving, expanding all of the time. It is not how we are built. And it is certainly not how we thrive.

Since the teacher training in New Zealand in October last year I have stopped. I did so quietly, more so out of avoidance and shame than out of a need for privacy. But now I am ready to communicate and share.

The last five years since 2019 have been the most challenging for me personally. It has been a period of time where one significant event followed the next. So much loss, pain, hurt and grief were experienced. I still laughed and smiled, dance and sang, loved and lived through it all. But it was a lot to go through and get through. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I decided to take on the ownership of Breathe School.

Since that time in July 2021, this journey has been a challenging one. Running a business has been in many ways, nothing like I thought it would be. Which is something I have heard from a lot of people who have also stepped into that role. It has been rewarding in so many ways but my goodness has it come with discomfort - the discomfort of growth, of being out of my comfort zone, of being vulnerable, seen and heard, of trial and error, of putting myself out there - pretty much constantly. Which at times can be tiring.

The most significant thing it has highlighted is the tendency to doubt my self. On a good day I can look back and see what has been achieved, created, experienced, shared and received. And I can smile, see the value in it all. On a bad day, I look back and see only failures - ways things fell short, weren’t good enough or could have been better. I heard recently that running a business is largely a mental game, and I have come to know that to be true. Which further solidified the choice to rest.

This time away from offerings will be a time to:
• recharge physically, mentally and emotionally
• reflect on the last few years - what worked, didn’t work, what I can learn from.
• celebrate everything that has been - really seeing and appreciating how far I have come.
• create a vision for what is next.
• and lastly… a time to fill up that self belief bucket.

In some ways this feels like the end of a chapter.

Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey of Breathe School so far - as a student, participant, supporter, guide, mentor, teacher, friend, cheerleader, confidant - I wouldn’t be where I am now without you.

Thank you.

I will see you on the other side 🤍

12th - 15th October 2023 | Queenstown

This is the incredible where we will be hosting one of our Mindful Breathing Teacher Trainings this year.

We’ll be surrounded by stunning forest gardens, mountains and the icy cold sea. The cute lil caravan in the pics is a mobile sauna for hot / cold therapy 🥰

Paul at Ora has been a pleasure to work with so far. He has such a warm approach so it’s not surprising that Ora has a beautiful philosophy that I want to share with you. It speaks so directly to the work we are doing here at Breathe School.

“We believe that connection is at the heart of health and wellbeing. When we are connected to ourselves, our bodies, our environment, and the people around us, we thrive.” 🫶🏽

I can already feel myself sitting by the fire at this place.

info on dates, times and pricing for all 2023 Teacher Trainings can be found bio (instagram) or on the Breathe School website.

I was reminded of this quote again today. Gets me every time. I first saw this quote when I was about 22 up at Tambourine Mountain in Queensland. It was on a fridge magnet 🧲 as part of a larger phrase. And even then, before I knew what mindfulness or meditation or yoga was it struck me deeply and has stuck with me.

BIG NEWS 📣
Bodhi Whitaker, co-founder of Breathe School, will be joining the team as a co-facilitator for our Mindful Breathing Teacher Trainings this year.

Bodhi is an incredible teacher, guide, mentor and story teller. When he speaks about the breath, the power and wisdom it has to offer, his passion and awareness are nothing short of inspiring. It’s safe to say he will be a perfect fit for the Breathe School teaching team. 🙃

We’ll be bringing 3 teacher trainings to you this year:
💻 online May 2023
🌊 Wilson’s Prom June 2023
🏔️ Queenstown October 2023
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Links are in the bio or on the website 😌

So honoured to be teaching side by side this year

If I told you that only one wheelie bin of rubbish was collected at the end of a 2000 person festival would you believe me?

It happened! Last week 2000 people attended and left a landfill trace of just one wheelie bin. One. That’s all. 🤯🚮

Thanks to the incredible work of volunteers all plates, bowls and cups were washed and recirculated throughout the day. No single use plastic in sight 👀🫶🏽 and food scraps were composted.

Everything has a cost. It’s either going to cost us our time and energy now to clean as we go. Or a whole lot more time and energy for future us / generations to clean up the mess of the past.

It’s so possible for us to tread gently on this earth. 🌎 in full gratitude to those who are leading the way and showing / reminding us how.

📸 Lap & Chan creators of

26th of January is not a day of celebration. It marks the anniversary of the British colonisation of this land and it’s people through violence, massacres, frontier wars, the removal of children and a long attempt at genocide. It is not something we as a collective can continue to do, now that the silence on the true history of this country is breaking.

Through the relentless work of so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people tangible changes are actually happening this year - merchandise isn’t being sold by some retailers, the day is not being celebrated by some organisations and individuals and the is being honoured for what it is - A Day of Mourning or Survival. It’s progress.

If you’re looking for a way to be part of an event tomorrow, the incredible team at Our Survival Day] are running an event showcasing indigenous artists, experiences and food down in the Mornington peninsula. I’ll be there.

“26th January is not the date to celebrate. Its the date to practice culture and learn history.” Our Survival Day]

In 2014 I travelled to Bali with some friends and on that trip met a girl on a bus who had just completed a 10 day silent meditation course named Vipassana. At that stage I had dabbled in meditation and did a couple of yoga classes on our holiday, but I was still three years away from the time I would go on to complete yoga teacher training (photo circa 2018 ft. here!). But for some reason on that day the word Vipassana hit me and I quietly said to myself “I’m going to do that one day”. I didn’t know when or where, it was just something I felt I would undertake one day when I was ready. And here I am, 8 years later. Ready.

Vipassana is taught on a 10 day residential course and according to the website requires “hard serious work” 😬. I will be silent for 10 days, and will not read, write, exercise or be connected to any devices. I will be meditating for most of the time focusing on the natural reality of the ever changing flow of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. And in doing this will learn deeply about the universal truth of ‘impermanence’. And I’m sure, a whole lot about my mind and thoughts too 🫣

Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago. Since the time of the Buddha, Vipassana has been handed down by an unbroken chain of teachers and is currently taught by S N Goenka.

I stood this morning on the land of the Ngadjuri people in Australia and tried to comprehend how many things had to happen for me to be here right now 2,500 years later receiving this teaching. I pay deep respects to the Ngadjuri people and acknowledge the loss of life and country they have experienced. And I pay deep respects to those who have come before me in the unbroken chain of this tradition for generations.

I am deeply grateful for everything I’ve chosen in my life to get me to here. And I am even more grateful for every single person who has supported me on this journey and this current choice.

Into the unknown I go. I’m unsure if I’ll resort to reading the back of my shampoo bottle at some stage to save my sanity, but I’ll be sure to report back.

It was such an honour to witness the beginning of this new chapter for a cousin of mine that I love immensely 🤍 onwards and upwards and backwards and sideways as you expand in all directions ⭕️🧚🏻‍♂️

The sweet one wrote a little more than I could fit on the image 🥰
👇🏽(see below)

“….The whole training was an immersive experience of learning, connecting, laughing, and loving. The content was broken up with us (the students) facilitating groupwork with each other, bringing our own knowledge and experiences to the table, eating delicious lunches, and exploring the beautiful land on which we were living. Every detail was thoroughly thought out by Breanna and she created such a safe, happy, and comfortable environment for everyone. I can't wait for more learning. All my love x”

CONNECTION ♥️
I wanted to share this series of beautiful photos captured by that so beautifully captures the deep connections created on the recent retreat.

Connection is the core value of Breathe School. It is why it exists.

We are so often living in a state of disconnection with the world, nature, other people and at the root of it all - ourselves. Living in a state of disconnect is at the root of so many issues we experience and create in this world.

It was so beautiful to hold space and witness people deeply connecting to each other through play, laughter, music, physical affection, held eye contact and voice. Most of these activities captured were created / facilitated by participants. Magic ✨

Thank you for leaning in and daring to lead people to connect deeply ♥️

Monday mornings I meet with the two women who make up ‘Toast Club’. We bounce ideas, celebrate wins, listen, ask questions, offer different perspectives - things that are so needed when working alone.
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Last week, I took the week off from work (and toast club) to rest and recover from the retreat that finished Sunday.
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This morning I was back and after sharing and celebrating the success of the retreat I was asked when the next retreat was going to be. I said, 'I don’t know yet' as I am yet to re-engage with the offering, yet to look at what worked, what didn’t work, what needs to shift. That will come.
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After I shared this we spoke about the idea of ‘gentle living’. My heart swelled with joy, love and physically felt tingly after my friend acknowledged my ability to live gently or to do business gently. And I felt like sharing this to see if it sparks anything in others.
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I am still in the early days of running my own business but from what I have learnt so far (and this will evolve) gentle living in the business space really is about doing things differently than what I have been conditioned to do. To me it looks like…
1) Taking time away from work after a more intense period to absorb, process, reflect and integrate
2) Taking regular breaks not just one lunch break
3) Taking things slowly in general, chipping away bit by bit at larger projects
4) Taking breaks to walk, get fresh air, enjoy some sunshine
5) Taking time to rest when I need it, not expecting my energy and output to be the same every day of every month
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It is not just about giving, giving, giving time to work. It is also about taking time from work.
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And today while pondering this I came across this quote and it felt so fitting to share. It reminded me - it really isn’t our nature to hurry. So let's just not.
(continued in comments)

This will be home for the next four days as we embark on our first in person Mindful Breathing Teacher Training for the year (and since March 2020 🌎).

Six beautiful humans have gathered to journey together into expansion in their own unique way. I cannot wait to see what unfolds for each and every one of them.

See you on the other side.

Until Sunday ♥️✌🏽

With a heavy heart I’d like to honour the life of this beautiful woman, Lauren Verona.

Lauren had an energy that was electric, a presence that was truly felt, a wisdom that was so connected, and truths that cut through. She had a way of nudging you, leading you, guiding you towards new ways of seeing, understanding and being in the world. And I had the honour of receiving these gifts in classes and workshops.

Lauren, I don’t feel like you could ever grasp the number of people who have been effected and uplifted by the way you chose to live and all that you shared. Because so often you were planting seeds that would later take hold.

I have been replaying some of your most profound statements and powerful questions over in my mind.

Thank you for the time, energy and wisdom you shared with me and so many others on this path. And thank you for all you created in ♥️ you will be so dearly missed and irreplaceable.

My heart is with your daughters, husband & family at this heartbreaking time. And with the students and teachers of the Sunshine Coast yoga community ♥️

In your honour I will always remember that
“I choose what fills the space” ✨

Rest in peace ♥️

Applications remain open for the final spot available on the upcoming training retreat in July at the beautiful Odiyana Retreat in Victoria.

One of the questions on the application form is...
"Why are you feeling called to the Mindful Breathing Teacher Training?"
Here's some answers that applicants have shared 💙slide to see 👉

More information here or link in instagram bio.
https://breatheschool.com/teacher-training/

On April 18th I flew to Canberra to deliver the first two day Professional Development Training from Breathe School to the incredible team of youth workers at Galilee School. The training was a huge success. Each member of the team left with a commitment to integrating Mindfulness not only into the school structure but into the school culture and their WAY of BEING with the students.

So powerful.

It was such an honour to have worked with a team who are so passionate about the young people they work to guide and support.

I am so thrilled to now be offering the Mindful Breathing Training in this Professional Development format.

The training covers:
- Anatomy & Physiology of Breathing
- Mindfulness
- Embodied Teaching Approach
- Calming & Releasing Techniques
- Mindful Leadership
- Integrating Mindful Breathing
- ABCA Transformational Workshop Structure
- Action Plan and Goal Setting for Integration

Duration: 2 days
Certification: Certification of Mindful Breathing & Mindful Leadership
Investment: $580 per person (discounts available for larger group bookings)
Location: onsite at your school/organisation

Direct message to register your interest or learn more ♥️

What’s the photo? Welllllll It was so powerful that I forgot to get any photos with the team...! But the above is a photo of a beautiful oil painting of Rex plane I spotted at Melbourne Airport. ✈️

ADVENTURES OF BREATHE SCHOOL…

I have some exciting updates to share with you.

1. APRIL 🍂 I will be on the road to train a team of youth workers at an independent special assistance school in Canberra in Mindful Breathing & Mindful Leadership. The school provides education to disengaged, at-risk and vulnerable young people that have not thrived or been supported in the mainstream school system. The structure of the school day is soooooo different to ‘normal’ - 9:30 breakfast and check in followed by emotional resilience sessions, then two 40 minute classes, a short lunch break with enough time to blow off some steam, but not get too distracted and then two 40 minute classes to finish the day at 2pm. So cool. I am honoured to be working with the team and to be honest, feel like I will be learning a lot from them and the way they care for and educate young people. The training is part of the staff Professional Development program and this is where I would like to get the Mindful Breathing Teacher Training into within the mainstream education system.

2. MAY 🍃 I will be beginning a 5 week program with a year 11 and year 12 co-hort of VCAL students (Victorain Certificate of Applied Learning). The program will be the first of its kind in the school setting from Breathe School. It is designed to support young people in the transition beyond the education system and out into the world with Mindful Breathing practices, exploring different topics of self determination each week.

3. JULY ❄️ The retreat that was planned for March (today actually) has been postponed to 13-17th July 2022. (still to be held at Yiruk Wamoon). It feels so good for it to be a winter getaway with the cosy fire place and fresh winter air. I found the most amazing caterer - Aliza from . The retreat will be intimate with 7 people in training. There are four places remaining.

4. NOW ☀️ I’ve used the time I had set aside for the retreat to take a break and reset with the sun, surf, nature, movement, connections. My intention is to return home feeling powerful, clear, courageous and energised 💥

The next few months are going to be ones to remember 💗

A lot of us wait until we have the confidence to do the thing that we aren’t confident to do - singing in public, learning to draw, sharing your truth - in order to do the thing we aren’t confident to do. And because we are waiting to feel confident to do something that is new, that scares us and puts us outside of our comfort zone, something that induces all kinds of fears, what ifs, limitations, we often go on waiting for some time for that confidence to arrive.

But it never just arrives.

Confidence is built. It bubbles up from within only AFTER we put ourselves in the places that scare us, take us to our edge AND we don’t die (sounds dramatic I know, but that is what we are all afraid of underneath it all). Once we reach the other side of that fear, we can learn, grow, develop and build confidence in our ability.

Confidence to lead and guide people is the one thing that every applicant for our teacher training has sought to walk away with.

Confidence to share wisdom honestly and openly is what I’m currently working on. So this is me, taking action, and building confidence in sharing wisdom with you, here.

What is something you are waiting to have the confidence to do?
Are you going to keep on waiting?

Our next Mindful Breathing & Mindful Leadership Training is 23rd-27th March 2022
Link below for more details.

https://breatheschool.com/teacher-training/

Breanna x

We went rock climbing last night, rounded the corner and in the alleys of Collingwood… 👻🧚🏾‍♀️💗

Applications are now open (😱) for the first Mindful Breathing & Mindful Leadership Training in-person Retreat in two years. Excited is an understatement💥

The training will be held at beautiful Odyiana Retreat just outside of Yiruk Wamoon (also known as Wilson’s Promontory) 23-27 March 2022.

🌞🏔🌊🌳🥗😴🤸🏾‍♀️
We’ll rise with the sun.
We’ll climb a mountain.
We’ll swim in the ocean.
We’ll connect with the land.
We’ll eat, rest and play.

The Mindful Breathing & Mindful Leadership Teacher Training is about BEING THE CHANGE you want to see in the world.

It is a 5-night / 4-day training which serves as a solid foundation for you to introduce and implement the power of breath with your students, children, clients, and colleagues as a:

•Teacher/Educator
•Learning Support/Aide
•Guidance Officer
•Counsellor or Psychologist
•Social/Youth Worker
•Health professional
•Yoga teacher
•Leader of Well-being

If you know in your heart that meditation, mindfulness, and breath need to be taught and a part of every school, organisation and health service then this is for YOU. Welcome.

Learn more at 👇🏽
https://breatheschool.com/teacher-training/
Link in bio 👌🏽
Swipe 👉🏽 for pics of retreat. Oh and that’s the view from the mountain we’ll climb 💪🏽

2022 VISION 👁

Last year everything was in motion and it now feels time for things to land and ground into the new. If I could choose three words to describe the focus for this year it would be - foundations, discovery & relationships.

Foundations are integral to build anything in life - like trees we need to take time to root deep into the earth before rising towards the sky. This year Breathe School will be taking root in my home town Melbourne, Victoria. Not only will this mean I am surrounded by my family and community as I take root into this new role, it will also mean I will be working with the students, teachers and community who were most heavily effected by the last two years of lockdowns and remote learning in Australia. I will be working in Victorian schools from Term One with our new Schools Program. I will share a whollllllle post on that this week with information on how to enquire. I am so excited to bring this to life.

The way our world works, our experience of life and perception of reality is so very different than a few years ago so I am also coming into this year in discovery mode - willing to explore, open to try new things, at peace with failures and keen learn - to really understand how I can best be of service and support our young people, training teachers and the community.

And lastly, connections with people are really what fills my heart. I am so looking forward to building heartfelt connections with students and teachers during our Schools Programs and dropping into deep connection on retreat at our upcoming Mindful Breathing Teacher Training (more on that this week too). And just generally building connection with the Breathe School community. So please reach out if you ever have anything you’d like to share, discuss or ask.

Thank you for the solid support so far. I am so ready for this year to begin.

2021 REFLECTION 🌞
It was a huge year for Breathe School (and for Kat, Bodhi, Taya and I as individuals). Kat & Bodhi bravely let go of Breathe School and I nervously yet with so much knowing in my bones, took on the leadership. If I could choose three words to describe the transition they would be - courage, trust and honour.

It took courage from us all - it’s a courageous act to surrender control and let go and it’s a courageous act to rise up and say yes.

It required a deep sense of trust in each other, in our bond, in the community and in our own sense of knowing that this was the right next step for Breathe School.

We transitioned with a deep sense of honour for the journey of Breathe School so far, Kat & Bodhi’s incredible work within schools, the community that has supported the mission since 2015 and in honour of each as individuals.

As the sunset on 2021, I took some much needed time away in nature to reflect, rest and reset for the coming year. Over the coming days I will be sharing my vision for 2022, current offerings and opening bookings for the year. I’m so honoured and ready to connect with you. Watch this space 🌞

Last Sunday our Mindful Breathing Teacher Training came to a beautiful close. We sealed the training with a deep honouring of each human - tears, love and laughter were flowing.

We honoured….
🙊Jean for her spirit, zest for life and bursts of laughter.
🌲Fletcher for his depth, wisdom and solid presence.
🐬Carly for her playful nature and wisdom beyond her years.
🐞Nienke for her gentle presence, curiosity and insights.
🦋Sally for her realness, groundedness and courage.
🌳Kamile for her warrior strength, openness and vulnerability.
🌻Kat for her passion, clarity and open sharing of wisdom.
🐳Bodhi for his leadership, freedom of expression and creativity.
💗Taya for being so supportive of the training and her full acceptance of all it required of her.
💙Kat & Bodhi for everything they created, the way they teach together and for being trail blazers.

The training was a beautiful unfolding and a real co-creation. Everyone was given space to rise up and share their gifts, their spirit from the very first day. And every single one of you rose with grace and courage.

And now that the training is over, the real work begins.

This training is not about learning how to teach and then replicating the way we do it. This training is about each person deepening their connection to their breath, having a felt sense of what this brings to their life, how this supports them personally and then sharing from that place of experience - like an overflow coming from within - with their own community, in their own work and in their own way.

We cannot wait to see what you all create in your own worlds - whether that be at the dinner table at home, in schools with young people, depth immersions with men or refugee camps in Greece.

We honour each and every one of you and support you every step of the way.

Breathe in and take the leap - you got this.

Swipe 👉🏽to see where our training teachers will be rippling out to beyond this training🫁💙🌍✌🏽

Healing. Groundbreaking. Transformative.
These are three words our Graduates have used to describe their experience of our Mindful Breathing Teacher Training.

And here is more of what the beautiful Jen had to say...

"If you feel the pull to step into the space of being the change, becoming a lighthouse for others and guiding them into their heart space, then this is the teacher training for you. You will return to your authentic self, learn how to walk the talk and come away feeling confident in guiding others to shine their own lights bright." Jen Ryan, Primary School Teacher, Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Are you feeling the same pull Jen speaks to? We begin our next training in 7 days. And we would love to welcome you to be among the powerful humans gathering to lead from the breath.

Dates: Sunday 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th November
Time: 8am-1pm AEST
Location: Zoom / hybrid online-in person available for Melbourne participants
Price: $1111
More details and application link in bio.

Sending Love,
The Breathe Team

Hello 👋🏽 Are you based in Melbourne? 🏙 Yas? 🙌🏽

I am so happy to let you know that given the recent announcements lifting restrictions I would love to invite you to attend our upcoming training in a hybrid online-in-person format.

I'm picturing tea out on the deck first thing in the morning, Kat, Bodhi and all interstate/international participants on the big screen in the lounge, a beautiful spread of nourishing food to share over lunch and space to connect after each day of training.

If you're keen on attending the training but feel zoomed out (and are based in Melbourne) I would love to welcome you. If this is you, please reach out and we can talk further.

Sending love,
Breezy🐬✌🏽🌊

Last hours to grab your free ticket to today’s sunset session diving into the breath and our upcoming Mindful Breathing Teacher Training 🙌🏼

Are you curious to know what the Mindful Breathing Teacher Training is all about? Who its for? What you will learn? And what you walk away with?

This Sunday, join Kat, Bodhi and Breezy for a sacred sunset info session to learn more about our upcoming offering - the Mindful Breathing Teacher Training.

Info Session - MBTT
Sunday 17th October
5pm QLD ☀️
6pm VIC 🌞
8pm NZ 💫

The sun will be peaking through the clouds, edging closer to the horizon in Melbourne. In Aotearoa (NZ), the stars will be out and Taya, fast asleep (hopefully), after a long day of play (well that’s the plan anyway!). And we will be dropping in to connect to each other, the breath and you.

This experiential information session will give you a real taste of the essence of this training - how we create and hold sacred space online, the experience we teach from and the kind of wisdom you will gain through the training. Among other elements, we will be sharing the ABCA framework we use to design Transformational Workshops that we have developed and refined over the last six years that can be applied to all demographics and all industries. We hope this opens up the possibilities of how you could share the breath with your students, clients or community. We will also share more about the training itself and there will be space to ask any questions you have.

By the end of the session you will be super clear on what the training is, how it works, what you will walk away with, whether this training is for you (right now or in the future) and know a structure you can use to create your own transformational offerings.

Get your free tickets now (linktree in bio) and we’ll send you the link to join.

We are sooooo looking forward to sharing Sunday eve with you all.