About Me
Breath, Movement and Wellbeing
My work is shaped by a long-standing interest in how the body responds to stress, adapts to challenge, and returns to balance.
I’m Alissa Powell, founder of Breath Therapy. Alongside my work in Functional Breathwork, Reiki, Qigong and Tai Chi, I also run an established Nutritional Therapy practice.
At the heart of everything I do is the same question: what helps the body regulate itself more effectively in the context of modern life?
Professional Roots in Nutritional Therapy
I originally trained as a Nutritional Therapist, and nutrition remains a core part of my professional work. Supporting clients through dietary and lifestyle change gave me a strong grounding in physiology, behaviour change and long-term health.
What became increasingly clear in practice was that information alone is often not enough. Stress, poor sleep and nervous system overload can quietly undermine even the most carefully designed plans.
This insight continues to inform how I approach breath, movement and restorative practices today.
If you’re looking specifically for nutritional therapy support, you can find more details on my dedicated nutrition website.
Breathwork and Nervous System Regulation
Breathing is one of the few physiological processes that is both automatic and trainable. How we breathe affects carbon dioxide tolerance, oxygen delivery, sleep quality, focus and emotional regulation — yet it is rarely addressed in a practical, accessible way.
I trained in functional breath retraining and clinical breath coaching, with a strong emphasis on the Buteyko method and other evidence-informed approaches. My work is grounded in physiology, science-backed approaches, and careful observation, rather than trends or performance-driven techniques.
I recently contributed to an article as a breathing expert in Real Simple magazine, discussing the health benefits of breathwork, reflecting the growing recognition of breathwork as a meaningful component of everyday health.
Movement, Energy and Regulation
Breath does not exist in isolation. Posture, movement patterns, attention and emotional state all influence how we breathe.
Qigong and Tai Chi offer a slow, deliberate way to develop bodily awareness, coordination and ease of movement, while naturally supporting efficient breathing and nervous system regulation. These practices are rooted in longevity and sustainability rather than intensity.
Reiki provides a different form of support, offering deep rest and nervous system settling in a world that rarely slows down. While the language differs from that of clinical physiology, the underlying aim is familiar: restoring balance and coherence within the system.
How I Work
My approach is calm, considered and grounded in experience. I value clarity, good explanation and practices that people can realistically sustain.
I don’t believe in forcing change. Instead, I focus on creating the conditions in which change can occur naturally and safely.
An Invitation
Whether you’re exploring breath, movement, restorative practices, or learning more about my nutritional therapy work, everything I offer is guided by the same intention: to support health and wellbeing in a way that is intelligent, humane and practical.
If this approach resonates with you, you’re very welcome here. Let’s work together!
– Alissa Powell, BBA, DipCNM, mBANT
