Breathwork & Vitality: Alexandra Voica’s Journey from Stress to Success

Meet Alexandra Voica, an inspiring Breathwork and Vitality Coach with over 13 years of experience as a massage therapist. Alexandra’s path to breathwork is both profound and personal. After overcoming a challenging period of depression in 2022 through mindful breathing, she built a successful business within three months. Her journey began during her pregnancy when breathwork helped her reconnect with her unborn daughter and manage emotional stress. Alexandra also embraces her creativity through macaron making, which mirrors the precision and patience she applies in her coaching. Her approach focuses on a deep mind-body connection, offering customized programs for stress relief, muscle pain, pregnancy breathing, and self-awareness. Alexandra is passionate about guiding others toward vitality and growth. Please join me in welcoming Alexandra Voica as we explore the transformative power of breathwork together!

Alexandra, could you share more about your personal journey with breathwork and how it helped you overcome the challenges you faced during your depression in 2022? 

In 2022, I found myself in one of the hardest periods of my life. Despite having used breathwork in my massage therapy practice for years and witnessing its profound impact on my clients—many of whom were lawyers, architects, and frequent travelers seeking relief—I hadn’t fully committed to practicing it for myself. I like to say that the body tells us everything we need to know, but at that time, I wasn’t listening to my own advice. Living in Brazil, I was navigating a language barrier, communicating only about half of what I wanted to say, and feeling incredibly isolated, even in the comfort of my husband’s home. Surrounded by the beauty of paradise—coconut trees, a private pool, and perfect weather—I felt completely disconnected from it all. My Hashimoto’s disease was flaring up, and by August, it was as if the world around me was fading into darkness. 

I couldn’t communicate my feelings to my husband and instead of asking for help, I hid my emotions, suppressing them deep inside. I expected him to somehow understand what I was going through, but this unspoken expectation only drove us further apart, deepening my depression.

One day, as I was holding my daughter in my arms, she was talking to me, but I couldn’t focus on her words. It felt like I wasn’t really there, completely disconnected from the moment. That experience was a painful reminder of how I had felt during my pregnancy—disconnected and overwhelmed. Right then, I knew I needed to do something to pull myself back. So, I decided to return to breathwork. I started with some simple breathing exercises, and after just 30 minutes, I broke down in tears, finally confronting the deep sadness I had been carrying. From that moment, I made breathwork a daily practice, repeating the exercises 3-4 times a day whenever the waves of anxiety began to rise. Gradually, it was like a cloud began to lift from my mind. 

While my relationship with my husband had nearly fallen apart by this point, breathwork helped me become more self-aware and recognize the early signs of anxiety before they could take hold. It gave me the clarity to see how my actions—hiding my true feelings and not letting him in—were hurting us both. I realized that I couldn’t expect him to understand what I was going through if I wasn’t willing to share it with him. 

So, one day, I asked my husband on a date, and during that time, I opened up completely. I shared all the emotions I had been bottling up, explaining why I had been hiding and pushing him away. That conversation was a turning point for us. By being vulnerable and asking for his help, we bridged the gap that had formed between us. We went from the brink of divorce to creating the strongest connection we’ve ever had. 

Breathwork didn’t just save me from my depression; it saved my marriage. It helped me reconnect with myself and, in doing so, allowed me to reconnect with my husband on a much deeper level. 

How did your experience as a massage therapist shape your approach to breathwork and your understanding of the mind-body connection? 

My years as a massage therapist taught me a crucial lesson: the body often holds onto stress in the form of muscle tension. I like to say that the body tells us everything—all we have and need is within us. Many of my clients,, came to me with physical pain, but I soon realized that much of this tension was rooted in deeper emotional and mental stress. 

Understanding the mind-body connection made my transition to breathwork a natural progression. Once I saw how deeply intertwined our physical and emotional states are, I knew that addressing muscle tension required more than just physical manipulation. Breathwork became the key to not only easing physical discomfort but also releasing the emotional burdens that caused it. By combining breathwork with my massage techniques, I’ve been able to help clients achieve deeper healing, addressing both the body and mind in unison.

Can you describe the specific benefits of breathwork for managing stress and anxiety? How do you tailor your approach to meet individual needs? 

Breathwork is incredibly powerful for managing stress and anxiety because it directly influences the nervous system. By engaging in deep, conscious breathing, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm both the body and mind. This can reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart or shallow breathing, and create a profound sense of peace. 

I approach breathwork with the understanding that everyone is different. My experience as a massage therapist taught me that even though there are foundational techniques, each person’s needs are unique. That’s why I tailor my breathwork sessions to meet each individual where they are. For someone dealing with anxiety, I might focus on breath patterns that promote relaxation and grounding. For those struggling with focus, I introduce techniques that enhance mental clarity and concentration. This personalized approach ensures that breathwork is not just effective but also deeply meaningful for each client. 

What was it about breathwork that resonated with you during your pregnancy, and how did it impact your ability to connect with your daughter? 

During my pregnancy, I faced a significant challenge that I hadn’t anticipated: giving up my independence. I had been providing for myself since I was 16, so when my doctor told me I needed to stop working in the third month of pregnancy, it was incredibly difficult. As a freelancer, if you don’t work, you don’t earn, so watching all my plans fall apart only fueled my anxiety and stress. 

I was blessed with an amazing partner, and I knew I could count on him, but needing to rely on someone else kept me up at night. I’ve always emphasized the importance of self-awareness, and I recognized that this anxiety was creating an emotional barrier between me and my daughter. Knowing this, I decided to actively work on it using deep connection breathwork followed by breathing exercises outside in the cold, which significantly lowered my anxiety. This practice made me so much more aware of my body and my daughter’s movements—I could even sense when she was happy or uncomfortable. 

The most powerful moment came during labor, when my daughter became tachycardic. Using focused breathing exercises, I was able to bring her heart rate back to a normal level within minutes. This experience not only deepened my bond with my daughter but also reaffirmed the incredible power of breathwork in fostering profound connections and promoting emotional well-being. 

In what ways has your passion for macaron making influenced your breathwork practice and your approach to coaching? 

To answer this question, I’ll share a story… After recovering from depression in August, I was so energized that I started a business, and within just three months, I hit a five-figure income. It was a complete turnaround—I went from letting anxiety almost destroy my marriage to teaching macarons at the best culinary school in Belém, even though I only spoke about 60% of the language. This experience was a powerful reminder of how much anxiety can influence our decision-making, often holding us back from our true potential. 

One of my private students in Belém was already selling macarons and had built a good reputation, but his anxiety and lack of confidence were preventing him from growing his business. When I asked him what he would do if he piped a macaron incorrectly, he said he would still bake it, even though he knew it would be a waste of time and money. His fear of making mistakes stopped him from experimenting with the batter and pushing his boundaries.

To help him overcome this, I had him pipe the macarons with as much precision as possible, then scrape everything back into the bag and pipe again. The fear in his eyes was palpable, and all kinds of emotions surfaced. For those who don’t know, macarons are considered one of the most difficult desserts to master, with many myths surrounding their preparation. I tailored my coaching to his specific needs, focusing on helping him lose the fear of the process. I taught him the right techniques that could be applied in any setting, with any equipment. 

This approach is very similar to how I handle breathwork. Many people wait until they have “time” or until they no longer feel overwhelmed to start working on themselves. But the truth is, you need to use the right techniques in the moment, especially when anxiety is at its peak. Without the proper tools, we risk missing out on opportunities and potential growth. 

My student went from being afraid to even attempt a different shape of macaron to creating beautiful, intricate designs and expanding his business. This story shows how facing your fears and using the right techniques at the right time can lead to incredible growth—whether in business or in personal well-being. 

How do you integrate your knowledge of muscle pain release and stress relief into your breathwork sessions? 

When I work with clients, I draw on my knowledge of muscle pain release to identify where they might be holding tension in their bodies. Breathwork is an incredible tool for releasing this tension because it allows the body to relax and let go. I often guide my clients through exercises that combine breath with gentle movements or specific holds that target tight areas. By releasing physical tension, we also help release the emotional stress that often accompanies it, creating a more holistic approach to healing. 

What are some common misconceptions about breathwork that you encounter, and how do you address them with your clients? 

One of the most common misconceptions about breathwork is that it’s just about breathing deeply or something only for those who meditate regularly. Another misconception is that breathwork can only be practiced in a quiet place. In truth, breathing can be done anywhere, even while speaking face-to-face with someone. You don’t need a quiet place to breathe—breathing can become your quiet place whenever you need it. 

What many people don’t realize is that breathwork is scientifically proven to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone linked to chronic stress and anxiety. While some may approach breathwork with skepticism, the science behind it is solid. By integrating breathwork into daily routines, it becomes a powerful, natural tool for managing anxiety and improving mental health, far more effective than many initially believe. 

Could you provide an example of how breathwork has significantly transformed one of your clients’ lives? 

Oh, i like this question 

I had Liz as a client, and like many moms, always put her kids first. But there was one thing that held her back—her discomfort with cold water. Even during the 37-degree summers in Japan, she couldn’t bring herself to join her children in the water, no matter how much she wanted to. The fear of that cold shock and discomfort kept her, watching instead of playing, and missing out on those precious moments every mother longs to share. 

When Liz and I started working together, we focused on simple breathing techniques. What happened next was nothing short of amazing. In just 15 days, she began to change. She started embracing the cold, not just tolerating it but stepping into it with confidence. Suddenly, she was in the water with her kids, laughing and creating those memories she had been yearning for. 

Liz told me, “I was able to control my breathing, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought. Your support made it so much easier.” But the change didn’t stop there. The more she practised she felt more empowered. She stopped putting off the things she knew she needed to do. Decisions that once felt overwhelming became manageable, even when life got tough.

Then came the ice bath—something she once thought was impossible. But she did it. She stayed in longer than she ever imagined, and when she stepped out, she said, “I felt like I could do anything. Like I had the energy and drive to start anything.” Cold showers are a part of her routine now and when she feels down or lack energy she use it as a strategy to get back on track. 

Conscious breathing techniques helped Liz find a strength inside her that she didn’t know existed. Now, she’s not just overcoming her fears—she’s embracing every challenge, living with a new sense of purpose and joy. 

What advice would you give to someone new to breathwork who is looking to improve their self-esteem and self-awareness? 

My advice is to start small and be consistent. Begin each day before getting out of bed with a simple breathing exercise—just a few deep, conscious breaths. While you do this, take a moment to check in with yourself. How do you feel? Did you wake up energized, stressed, or happy? This brief moment of self-awareness helps you get in touch with your feelings, which is the first step toward self-love. 

We often rush into our day without acknowledging how we feel or giving ourselves the love and care we deserve. By taking just a few minutes each morning to breathe and connect with your emotions, you start the day with a sense of self-conciousness that can guide you through any challenges. This practice not only helps you manage stress but also builds a stronger, more loving relationship with yourself. Remember, self-love starts with understanding and accepting how you feel, and breathwork is a powerful tool to help you get there. 

How do you balance your creative pursuits, like macaron making, with your professional work in breathwork and vitality coaching? 

At the core, it’s all about coaching and teaching. Whether I’m guiding someone through the intricacies of baking macarons or leading them in breathwork, the essence is the same—helping people connect with themselves and the task at hand. The big challenge in both areas is self-awareness, and this is central to all my teachings. Understanding how you feel and where you are, whether in the kitchen or in life, is key to creating something beautiful and meaningful. For me, macaron making and breathwork are two sides of the same coin. Both require mindfulness, creativity, and a deep connection to the process. I see them as complementary rather than separate activities, each feeding my soul and aligning with my values. 

In what ways has overcoming your personal challenges through breathwork shaped your broader goals and aspirations?

Back in 2022, I was invited to participate in a social project where I taught macaron baking to people in a community with very limited resources. This experience touched my heart deeply. It was a powerful reminder that personal growth isn’t just about our own success; it’s about how we can use that growth to uplift others. Seeing how much joy and empowerment this small act brought to people who had so little, I realized I wanted to do more.  

That’s when I decided to make it my mission to give back in a more meaningful way. With the money from my macaron courses, along with funds I raised by reaching out to previous clients, I organized a charity event in December. We were able to buy school supplies and toys for children in need in Brazil, spreading joy and hope where it was most needed. 

This experience has become a significant part of my story. Surpassing my own challenges through breathwork didn’t just help me—it gave me the strength and clarity to help others. My goal this year is to expand this charity effort, continuing to give back to those in need. I believe that when we overcome our own struggles, we’re given the opportunity to lift others up as well. We welcome any donations to support this mission and make a difference in more lives.