Meet the Founder: Andrea of The Kala Movement

I’m excited to introduce you to Andrea, the incredible founder of THE KALA MOVEMENT and someone who has profoundly influenced my personal growth and wellbeing. Andrea is a dedicated practitioner specialising in breathwork and integrative hypnotherapy, with a passion for fostering human connection, personal expansion and freedom.

As someone who has personally experienced the life-changing impact of Andrea’s breathwork sessions, I can confidently say her approach is nothing short of transformative. Andrea’s ability to create a safe and nurturing space has not only guided me through deep personal healing but has also left a lasting impression on my daily routine and mindset.

In this conversation, we’ll explore the power of breathwork, Andrea’s inspiring journey and the incredible impact her work is having on so many lives. Let’s dive in and discover the magic behind THE KALA MOVEMENT!

W&CF: Thanks so much for catching up with me, Andrea. To give us some insight into your journey, what drew you to breathwork and clinical hypnotherapy? Was there a defining moment or experience that set you on this path?

Andrea: Breathwork found me at a time when I needed it most. Coming from a background in elite sport, I had always been deeply connected to the body, yet there were layers—of stress, conditioning, and unprocessed emotion—that traditional approaches couldn’t seem to reach. It wasn’t until I experienced breathwork that something shifted. The breath moved beyond the mind, beyond analysis, and into a space where I could truly release, recalibrate, and reconnect with myself. It was a homecoming—one that reignited my sense of clarity, resilience, and deep trust in my own being.

From there, my path unfolded organically. My work in Clinical Hypnotherapy became a natural extension, allowing me to bridge the subconscious mind with the somatic intelligence of breathwork. I saw how these modalities, when woven together, could create not just momentary release, but deep, integrative transformation. It became my mission to share this work—not just as a practice for healing, but as a way of being, a reclamation of self.

Now, through THE KALA MOVEMENT, I hold space for others to journey through their own unfolding—to release limitation, rediscover freedom and remember the wisdom already within them.

W&CF: Can you share the story behind the inspiration and inception of The KALA Movement and its core mission?

Andrea: THE KALA MOVEMENT was born from a deep desire to guide others toward release, freedom, and expansion. Kala—meaning to release, to be free, to live without limitations—became the essence of this work. After finding all of these things in my own practice, it became my mission to create a space where others could access the same within themselves.

At its core, THE KALA MOVEMENT is about remembering—shedding layers of limitation, reconnecting to the body’s intelligence, and cultivating the freedom to move through life with greater clarity, ease, and presence. By adopting a transpersonal, client-centered approach to therapy, we see you as the whole, sovereign being you already are. I deeply believe that we are not what has happened to us—our experiences do not leave us broken or in need of fixing. Instead, they offer us the opportunity to reclaim ourselves, to integrate, and to move forward with greater self-awareness and empowerment.

This work is an honouring of both the science and the sacred, the structure and the surrender, creating space for deep release and lasting transformation. Through conscious connective breathwork, subconscious reprogramming, energetics and somatic integration, THE KALA MOVEMENT supports individuals on their own unique journey.

W&CF: You incorporate two powerful modalities into your work: Clinical Hypnotherapy and Breathwork. How do they complement each other in facilitating personal growth and healing and what benefits does this combination offer?

Andrea: Breathwork and Clinical Hypnotherapy are both potent modalities on their own, but when woven together, they create a deeply integrative pathway for transformation. Breathwork works somatically, engaging the body’s innate intelligence to release stored emotions, regulate the nervous system, and access expanded states of awareness. Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, engages the subconscious mind, working with the narratives, beliefs, and imprints that shape our experience.

When combined, they bridge the conscious and subconscious, body and mind—allowing for a more holistic unraveling and integration. Breathwork clears the noise, softens resistance, and brings the nervous system into a receptive state, making the subconscious more accessible for hypnotherapeutic work. Likewise, hypnotherapy can anchor and reframe what arises in breathwork, offering deeper integration beyond the session itself.

This combination allows for profound shifts—whether in releasing stored trauma, reshaping limiting beliefs, or cultivating self-trust and inner stability. Rather than just processing an experience, the individual embodies the transformation, creating lasting change at a cellular level. It’s a meeting point of deep surrender and conscious reprogramming, where breath and mind work in harmony to support growth, healing, and expansion.

W&CF: From releasing stored emotions to therapeutic benefits, I have personally experienced a range of results since incorporating your breathwork offerings into my life. In your experience, what are the most profound benefits individuals can gain from regular breathwork practice?

Andrea: Breathwork is a profound gateway to transformation—not just in moments of deep release, but in the way we meet ourselves in everyday life. Regular practice rewires the nervous system, dissolves stored patterns, and expands our capacity to be with whatever arises. It strengthens emotional resilience, allowing us to navigate life with greater ease, self-awareness, and adaptability.

Beyond its therapeutic benefits, breathwork is a practice of remembrance—an opportunity to reconnect with the innate wisdom of the body and access deeper states of clarity, vitality, and presence. It teaches us that even when we don’t feel like we have anything to release, we are still strengthening our foundation, building the tools to meet challenges when they do arise.

Over time, this practice becomes more than just breath—it becomes a way of being. A way to regulate, to release, to return home to ourselves.

W&CF: I have attended both your 1:1 sessions and group offerings and I feel each provides a unique experience. What distinctions do you observe between facilitating group sessions and one-on-one sessions? How does the group dynamic influence the experience?

Andrea: There is a distinct alchemy between one-on-one and group breathwork sessions, each offering its own depth of experience. In 1:1 sessions, the work is deeply attuned to the individual’s unique needs, allowing for a tailored approach that weaves breath, hypnotherapy, and somatic integration in a way that meets them exactly where they are. It becomes a space for deep introspection, where we can unravel personal narratives, regulate the nervous system, and move through layers of transformation at an intimate pace.

Group sessions, on the other hand, hold a powerful collective energy. There’s an unspoken synergy when people breathe together—each person’s process becomes part of the greater whole, creating a field of resonance that amplifies the experience. The group dynamic often allows for deeper surrender, as the shared space offers both a container of support and a mirror for personal insights. While the journey remains individual, the collective breath cultivates a sense of interconnectedness, reminding us that we are not alone in our unfolding.

Both formats are potent in their own way. Whether in the intimate depth of a 1:1 session or within the shared energy of group offerings, the breath meets you where you are, inviting you to lean in, soften, and expand.

W&CF: A lot of people assume they know how to breathe because they do it everyday. For those new to breathwork or hypnotherapy, what common misconceptions do you encounter and how do you address them?

Andrea: Yes, we all breathe 21,000+ times per day, but most of those breaths are dysfunctional, shallow, and unconscious, reinforcing patterns of stress rather than supporting balance. Many people assume they know how to breathe simply because they do it every day, but there is a vast difference between automatic breathing and conscious, functional breathwork. When we become aware of the breath and learn to harness it intentionally, we gain access to a powerful tool that directly influences our nervous system, emotional state, and overall well-being.

One of the biggest misconceptions about breathwork is that it’s just about relaxation. While it can bring deep calm, it’s also a profound tool for energetic release, emotional processing, and transformation. Breathwork isn’t about forcing an outcome—it’s about creating the space for the body to express, integrate, and recalibrate naturally.

Similarly, hypnotherapy is often misunderstood as mind control or something that happens to you, when in reality, it’s a deeply collaborative process. It’s about accessing the subconscious in a safe, intentional way, unraveling limiting patterns, and anchoring in new ways of thinking, feeling, and being.

At THE KALA MOVEMENT, my approach to breathwork and hypnotherapy is client-centered and transpersonal, meaning we meet you where you are, seeing you as the whole being you already are. It’s not about fixing—it’s about remembering. By working with breath and the subconscious together, we tap into the body’s innate intelligence, creating lasting shifts that move beyond the session and into daily life.

W&CF: I could talk about the power of breathwork for hours! Without breaching confidentiality, could you share a particularly memorable client transformation that underscores the power of breathwork?

Andrea: One client came to me after years of living with chronic pain, feeling disconnected from their body and trapped in a cycle of tension and exhaustion. Despite trying countless therapies, nothing created lasting relief—their breath had become shallow, braced against the very pain they were trying to escape.

Through conscious connective breathwork, we began to unravel the layers—not just physically, but emotionally and energetically. At first, the breath felt confronting, but as they softened into it, something shifted. They reconnected with their body—not as something to fight against, but as something to trust.

With hypnotherapy and somatic integration, we addressed the subconscious patterns reinforcing their pain. Over time, their relationship with their body transformed—from resistance to curiosity, from fear to trust. Their pain lessened, sleep improved, and they no longer felt consumed by tension.

What stood out most wasn’t just the relief, but the profound shift in their being—a lightness, an ease, a deep sense of empowerment. The breath had given them something they thought was impossible: freedom from the cycle they believed they were bound to and a return to their innate wholeness.

W&CF: What are your aspirations for the future of The KALA Movement and are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?

Andrea: THE KALA MOVEMENT will always be an evolving space—one that grows alongside both my own learning and the needs of those I support. I am continuously deepening my studies to expand and refine my offerings, ensuring they remain truly holistic, integrative, and deeply rooted in both science and ancient wisdom.

Right now, I’m in the process of laying the foundations for a sister business to THE KALA MOVEMENT, one that will offer more specific support through wise woman traditions and other deeply restorative and ceremonial practices. This next evolution will honor the seasons and cycles of the feminine, providing a space for women to be deeply held in all transitions—whether through breath, bodywork, or the wisdom of ancestral traditions.

I’m also excited about new collaborations and offerings that are accessible, potent, and transformative. One of which is a beautiful co-creation with Wild & Cruelty Free, that is centred in honouring self care and self-love. There’s so much unfolding, and I look forward to bringing these visions to life in a way that truly serves those who are drawn to this work.

W&CF: Before I attended my first breathwork session I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. What advice would you offer to someone curious about starting their breathwork journey but unsure where to begin?

Andrea: For anyone curious about breathwork but unsure where to begin, my advice is to approach it with an open heart and a sense of curiosity. At THE KALA MOVEMENT, we honour breathwork as more than just a technique—it’s a gateway to deeper self-awareness, resilience, and transformation.

Your first session isn’t about getting it “right” or having a specific outcome; it’s about allowing your breath to meet you where you are. Some sessions feel expansive and energizing, others deeply releasing, and some simply bring a sense of calm and clarity. No experience is ever the same, but each one builds a deeper connection to yourself.

Whether you're drawn to conscious connective breathwork, hypnotherapy, or somatic practices, starting with a guided session in a safe and supportive space is key. Over time, regular practice strengthens your nervous system, enhances emotional resilience, and cultivates a profound sense of presence in everyday life. Trust your breath, trust your body, and trust that whatever unfolds is exactly what is needed.

 

W&CF: Beyond your professional work, what personal practices or rituals do you engage in to maintain your own wellbeing and growth?

Andrea: My personal rituals are a deep reflection of what I share with others. Breath is always my anchoring, including this in my daily routine to practice presence, reflection and connection. Movement is another key pillar, whether through ocean swims, somatic practices, or simply walking barefoot on the earth to recalibrate my system. My goal is always to honour seasonal and cyclical living, attuning to the ebbs and flows of my own energy and that of my environment. This can also include utilising Ayurvedic rituals that restore balance and harmony, utilising flower essences for internal support and sitting in stillness so I am able to hear my body and the subtle shifts and messages it shares.

 

W&CF: In what ways do you believe breathwork can contribute to a more compassionate and connected world?

Andrea: Breathwork is not only about creating individual change in the person attending a session but the ripple effect it can create in families, communities and our world as a whole. By encouraging individuals to tune into their inner landscape, breathwork promotes healthier emotional expression and mindfulness, which leads to more compassionate responses in difficult situations. It opens the heart space, allowing people to feel deeply connecting to themselves and others, fostering empathy, self awareness and understanding. 

On a larger scale, breathwork can also help to heal collective trauma, creating a sense of unity and shared healing, especially in group settings. It also creates safe spaces for vulnerability and authentic expression, promoting trust and deeper connections within communities. Through present moment awareness and finding resolution within the body, breathwork reduces judgement and impulsive reactions, fostering new perspectives, and more thoughtful, considered and compassionate interactions. Ultimately, as more individuals practice breathwork, it can spread peace, harmony, and kindness, helping to bridge divides and contribute to a more compassionate, connected world.

FAST FIVE

1. Favourite place in the world: Anywhere in the mountains, Mt Murray in Victoria and New Zealand South Island have a special place in my heart.
   
   
2. The beauty product you can't live without: I take a very minimalist approach to skin care and make up, but recently Marisa has gotten me on to the incredible Vegan Multi-Purpose Hemp Jelly Balm and The Dream Cream Vitamin C Moisturiser which has both changed the game for me!
   
   
3. Book you are currently reading: I always have a few books on the go, ranging from additional research or study to non-fiction. At the moment, I am reading the Lost Book of Salem though and loving it.
   
   
4. A song that lives rent free in your head: Music is a huuuuuge part of THE KALA MOVEMENT, so I usually have about 10 songs in my head at any given time. At the moment, ‘A Lot More Free’ (Max McNown) is taking the cake.
   
   
5. A life changing event or experience: Getting married last year!
   
   
6. Who or what inspires you the most in life? The courage and bravery of each and every client that shows up at my door, asking questions and surrendering to the process and unfolding that comes with this work. They are my way and I’m in awe everyday of their willingness to commit in the face of fear, become comfortable with the uncomfortable and open their hearts to remembering their own personal power.

 

W&CF: Thanks so much for chatting with me Andrea, I have loved learning more about you and I can’t wait for my next Breathwork session with you x