Michaela Goorahoo is a Pilates instructor and BREATHE ™ Certified Coach. She is the owner of EXPAND+BREATHE in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Growing up in the Midwest as a young child, Michaela started her movement training in ballet, tap, jazz, and yoga, which sparked an enduring love for all forms of movement and expression that led to her desire to become a professional trainer. After suffering a back injury, Michaela was introduced to Pilates and its ability to strengthen and rehabilitate the body. "Pilates allowed me to step back into my life with a full new understanding and respect for my body."
As a child, Michaela struggled with chronic bronchitis and asthma, which affected the health of her lungs and her ability to perform. After many doctors' visits and inhalers, she decided there had to be more to learn about improving her difficulty with breathing. "I couldn't believe that there wasn't more to learn about the breath. So, in a natural form, I became obsessed." Finding a deeper connection to the breath during yoga and meditation practices led her to a significant awakening that shifted her perspective on life. Over the past decade, Michaela has studied many breathing practices, from Zen Buddhism Yoga to Shamanic breath practices and the modern discoveries from science on the effects of breathing on our physical, mental, and emotional health. She has learned from some of the best breathwork practitioners, such as Dr. Belisa Vranich, Dan Brule, David Elliot, and Stanislav Grof, to name a few.
Michaela's mission is to inspire, empower and encourage self-understanding and awareness to honor ourselves with mind, body, and spiritual wellness. Her journey for self-healing awakened a deep passion for sharing what has healed her with others. "I live for the experience of helping my clients. Whether their need is rehabilitation, keeping up with aging gracefully, or looking for a hardcore workout. I'm a practitioner and a trainer because I love to connect with my clients and watch them grow and thrive by holding space where they can discover their power, beauty, and strength."
" I loved all the breathing techniques Michaela taught. I thought bringing in the chemistry behind gas exchange and breath was great, but I did get a little lost in the explanation and application of it. I think a separate workshop on that would be helpful. "
Meg E (The Science and Psychology of Breathing )
" Excellent explanations and exercises. "
Irene L (The Science and Psychology of Breathing )