Professional Practice & Safety

Your Safety Comes First

At The Guided Breath, every session is guided by professionalism, respect, and a commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment.

Breathing practices can be powerful tools for improving wellbeing, supporting nervous system regulation, and developing greater awareness. At the same time, no single breathing approach is appropriate for everyone.

My role is to work with you to determine the most suitable breathing practices for your individual circumstances, health history, and goals.

Your safety, comfort, and choice remain central throughout every session.

My Scope of Practice

As a Certified Breathing Practitioner, I provide evidence-informed breathing education and breathwork sessions designed to support health, wellbeing, performance, and nervous system regulation.

My work may include:

• Functional Breathing

• Conscious Connected Breathwork

• Breathing assessments

• Nervous system regulation

• Breath awareness

• Stress management strategies

• Sleep-supportive breathing techniques

• CO₂ tolerance training

• Performance breathing

• Workplace wellbeing education

• Trauma-aware breathwork facilitation

• Group classes and workshops

Every session is tailored to the individual and delivered within my professional training and qualifications.

What I Don't Do

While breathing can be a valuable complementary practice, it is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.

I do not:

• Diagnose medical or psychological conditions

• Provide psychotherapy or counselling

• Prescribe medications or supplements

• Replace medical assessment or treatment

• Ask clients to stop prescribed medications

• Guarantee specific outcomes

If appropriate, I may recommend working alongside your GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, physiotherapist, or another qualified healthcare professional.

My Approach

The Guided Breath combines evidence-informed Functional Breathing with Conscious Connected Breathwork where appropriate.

Every session is:

• Trauma-aware

• Choice-led

• Individualised

• Evidence-informed

• Guided at your own pace

You remain in control of your experience throughout every session.

You are always welcome to:

• Pause

• Slow your breathing

• Return to your natural breathing

• Sit up

• Open your eyes

• Ask questions

• Stop the session at any time

Nothing is forced.

Before Your Session

Before attending your first session, you'll be asked to complete a confidential Client Intake Form.

This allows us to discuss:

• Your health history

• Current medications

• Previous breathwork experience

• Medical conditions

• Mental health history where relevant

• Your goals for the session

This information helps ensure the breathing practices selected are appropriate for you.

Contraindications

Some breathing techniques—particularly Conscious Connected Breathwork and more activating breathing practices—may not be suitable for everyone.

Please contact me before booking if you have, or have a history of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Previous heart attack or stroke

• Aneurysm

• Detached retina

• Glaucoma

• Epilepsy or seizure disorders

• Pregnancy

• Recent surgery

• Severe asthma or unmanaged respiratory disease

• Osteoporosis where forceful breathing may present a risk

• Bipolar disorder

• Schizophrenia

• Psychosis

• Recent psychiatric hospitalisation

• Any other medical or psychological condition that may affect your participation

Having one of these conditions does not automatically prevent you from working with me.

In many cases, Functional Breathing or modified breathing practices may still be appropriate. Together, we'll determine the safest and most suitable approach for your individual circumstances.

If required, I may recommend obtaining medical clearance before participating.

Informed Consent

Before participating, you'll be asked to sign an Informed Consent and Waiver acknowledging that you:

• Have completed your health information honestly and accurately

• Understand the nature of the breathing practices offered

• Accept responsibility for informing me of any changes to your health

• Will practise within your own comfort and capacity

• Understand that participation is voluntary

• May pause or stop the session at any time

Working Alongside Other Professionals

Breathing practices often work best as part of a broader approach to health and wellbeing.

I regularly work with clients who are also supported by:

• General Practitioners (GPs)

• Psychologists

• Psychiatrists

• Counsellors

• Physiotherapists

• Osteopaths

• Exercise Physiologists

• Allied Health Professionals

Breathwork is intended to complement—not replace—the care provided by your healthcare team.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

Nikki McGann is a Certified Breathing Practitioner and founder of The Guided Breath.

Professional training includes:

• More than 650 hours of professional training in breathwork and breathing sciences

• Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release System® (BBTRS®) Levels 1, 2 & 3

• Advanced Functional Breathing training through Oxygen Advantage®

• Professional Member of the Australian Breathwork Association

Ongoing professional development forms an important part of maintaining best practice and ensuring my work reflects current evidence and professional standards.

Evidence-Informed Practice

My work draws on current research into breathing physiology, nervous system regulation, functional breathing, and performance breathing, alongside trauma-aware facilitation and somatic approaches.

Where appropriate, breathing techniques are adapted to meet your individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Questions?

If you're unsure whether a breathing session is right for you, or you have questions about your health or suitability, please get in touch before booking.

I'm always happy to discuss your circumstances and help you determine the most appropriate pathway.