Hey, I’m Christa—founder of Respira, a 21-day breathwork course designed with an incredible team of designers, breathwork specialists, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) experts. Together, we’ve created a program to help you build nervous system resilience for long-term health—something I wish I’d had years ago.
Respira wasn’t something I set out to create—it was something I needed.
Growing up, I dealt with constant throat issues and chronic migraines from the age of nine. Doctors told me it was hereditary and lifelong, so I took daily medication. By my teens, I struggled with chronic mouth ulcers, anxiety, and stress-related fatigue. As an adult, I faced panic attacks, anxiety, psoriasis, and gut issues. It felt like my body was in a constant battle. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all connected.
I started searching for answers, and what I found changed everything.
I discovered psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)— the science of mind body connection, which gave insights into how stress disrupts the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. I learned that chronic stress dysregulates the nervous system, keeping the body stuck in functional fight/flight, freeze/fawn modes, which over time, weakens immunity, digestion, and mental health. I also discovered that breathwork is one of the most powerful tools for regulating the nervous system—something so simple, yet overlooked in current healthcare models.
Fast forward a few years—I’m now a mum to an amazing seven-year-old, and the awareness of nervous system health has changed everything for me.
Breathwork has helped me become the parent I want to be—more present, less reactive, more aware of my own stress signals. I’ve learned how to map my nervous system, notice when I’m overstimulated or exhausted, and actually do something about it. Instead of getting caught in old stress cycles, I have tools to shift out of them.
And this is what I want to share with you.
Before the pandemic, I was an artist and materials specialist, working with colour-changing inks. In 2019, I applied to study a MASc in Global Innovation Design ( jointly run between Royal College of Art and Imperial College London), wanting to bring deeper meaning to my work. Halfway through the course, I stumbled upon Kundalini breathwork—and, honestly, it changed my life.
Did you know that Carl Jung gave a lecture series called The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga? He explored how Kundalini breathwork aligns with psychological therapy, showing that both aim to heal the psyche, balance emotions, and deepen self-awareness. This completely reshaped how I saw breathwork—not just as a calming tool, but as a way to retrain the nervous system for resilience.
That’s when I knew: I had to bring breathwork into my research and design practice.
Respira is a 21-day journey to nervous system resilience—bridging breathwork, science, and design to help you:
✨ Understand your nervous system—why stress affects your mind and body.
✨ Learn practical breathwork tools—to regulate stress, boost energy, and build resilience.
✨ Track your progress—so you can see the impact on your body over time.
We use scientifically-backed breathwork techniques to shift between stress and recovery states, helping you retrain your nervous system for long-term health.
I truly believe that nervous system health is the missing piece in stress management and long-term well-being. If any part of my story resonates with you—whether you struggle with anxiety, fatigue, or just want to feel more in control of your energy—Respira is for you.
I’m so excited to share this journey with you! 🚀
