About

Meet Nicky McLeod —Breathing Educator

Buteyko Institute Method practitioner and director of The Breathing Clinic in Nelson, helping people across New Zealand and the world breathe — and live — better.

Book an Assessment Enquire Now

Training & Credentials

Trained by Glenn White, NZ's only Buteyko Practitioner Trainer

Further training with Tess Graham (AU) & Misha Sakharoff (RU)

Trauma-informed — SmartBody SmartMind™ & HeartMath certified

Full member, Buteyko Institute of Breathing and Health (BIBH)

Chapter 01

My own breathing journey

When I committed to train as a practitioner I had not done a breathing retraining course nor did I know anyone who had. I had read everything I could find about the Buteyko Method and it made a lot of sense. It was soundly based in science and there were many positive reviews on Glenn's website.

I was impressed with the calibre of practitioners from around the world — medical students, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, scientists, PhD students, a vet. These were intelligent people, and for all of them breathing retraining had had such a profound impact on their health that they had gone on to train as practitioners.

Glenn White holding the book Breathing Free by Teresa Hale

Chapter 02

Hidden hyperventilation

When I began my training I had epilepsy, a snoring husband, two children, a BA in political science and history, a life-long interest in health and well-being, and a sign on my fridge that said "eat as if your life depends on it." In my family we also had asthma, hay fever and panic attacks.

Initially I tried to convince Glenn that I didn't need to do the breathing course for my own health. I regularly practised yoga and meditation and I believed I was a great breather — you could not see or hear me breathing. However, I had been an undiagnosed chronic hidden hyperventilator for many years. The effects on my health and my sleep were more far-ranging than I could ever have imagined.

Nicky teaching a small group during a breathing retraining course

Chapter 03

Simple and powerful

The speed with which my health and life improved once I started the course was extraordinary — more than a 50% reduction in breathing related symptoms within the first week, and that was just the beginning.

I am now a Breathing Educator. I no longer have epilepsy and my husband no longer snores. Asthma, hay fever and panic attacks are a thing of the past in my family. The sign on my fridge now says "breathe as if your life depends on it — breathe(less)."

I believe every town should have access to the simple and powerful knowledge that comes with a breathing retraining course, and my goal is to convey this life-changing information to as many people as possible.

Portrait of Nicky McLeod smiling outdoors

Chapter 04

Is it for you?

There are many myths and a lot of misinformation around breathing. Getting the right information, developing your awareness and changing some habits around your breathing can have a profound impact on your health, your quality of sleep, your energy levels and your state of mind.

If you're interested in improving your health I'd urge you to get the basics right — which means starting with your most vital function, your breathing, and having a breathing assessment. A few simple changes to my own habits, and the correction of some incorrect beliefs around breathing, led to the end of 12 years of epilepsy that I was unknowingly perpetuating.

Too often people come to our courses after trying many other things first and say "if only I had worked on my breathing first I would have saved a lot of money and time." Other common refrains include "why haven't I been told this before?" and "this should be taught in schools."

Client stories

Real change. In their own words.

4.9· Google Reviews · 38 verified clients

"With how much the course has done for me it was 100% worth every cent. I am living on top of the world right now — my work is going amazing, more successful at sport than I've been in years, personal life is great. I've…"

Zaq Muru

Seizures · Sleep · Sport · 27

"I felt like I couldn't get enough air and I couldn't work out why or what to do about it. It was getting worse over time. My symptoms were impacting every aspect of my life and I was desperate for help. This course has b…"

Viv Hazelton

Breathlessness · 74, Picton

"Absolutely worth every dollar and the time put into this! It has achieved exactly what I was hoping for in that I am now far less impacted by my asthma and almost off my medication. I am sleeping a lot better with a heal…"

Ron Beernink

Asthma · Snoring

"I was having difficulty sleeping (snoring), waking up tired, struggling with managing stress and generally feeling tired all day and struggling to concentrate. Within 1 week of starting the course I had an improved feeli…"

Rowan Puklowski

Sleep · Anxiety · Energy

"The course was a great investment and I would definitely recommend it to others! I had asthma and shortness of breath and breathed through my mouth. I was on Symbicort and Ventolin and after 10 days on the course I no lo…"

Pam Edwards

Asthma · Sleep

"This course was absolutely worth the time and every penny — it saved my life. I came to Nicky with a set of symptoms she was able to help resolve as well as highlight other underlying issues. I am now able to breathe fre…"

Emma Hodgkinson

Anxiety · PTSD · 26, Nelson

"I literally cannot praise Nicky enough. I had tachycardia, extreme fatigue, dizziness, anxiety and poor sleep. I had to take a career break because I was too unwell to work. From the commencement of the course to the 6 w…"

Kelly Quiney

Fatigue · Tachycardia · Anxiety

"Relearning to breathe has made an enormous positive change in my life — I have been well for the longest period I can ever remember! I came off my preventer asthma inhaler within weeks of attending the course and haven't…"

Rachel Canning

Asthma · 46, Taupo

"Since I started the course with Nicky I do not use Allersoothe or any other medication at all. My allergy symptoms are gone except very mild symptoms if windy. I am so happy about my quality of sleep — since my first tra…"

Julia Fast

Asthma · Hay fever · 46

"I did the course to learn the benefits of breathing better to control anxiety and other health conditions. Learning to breathe through my nose instead of my mouth has been a huge benefit to my nasal vestibulitis which ha…"

Steve Hutchison

Anxiety · Nasal · 56, Christchurch

"I was impressed with the Buteyko course I did over Zoom. I always felt supported. After consistent practice I was able to improve my Control Pause from 10 to 25-30. Nicky is a great coach, very approachable and friendly,…"

Helen Sullivan

Air hunger · Chronic cough

"I was referred to the course by my doctor with multiple health problems including asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue and insomnia. I no longer need antihistamines and rarely get asthma symptoms despite taking considerabl…"

Lynda Rae

Asthma · Allergies · Fatigue

Free Download

Free guide reveals 10 common breathing myths that could be affecting you

In this guide we address some key myths and misunderstandings around breathing — so you can start noticing what's helping and what's quietly holding you back.