Come to the Hearth
Breathe. Create. Connect.
Breathwork group & private sessions. Nature & creativity gatherings. Women's circles.
Individual and group events
We offer a range of in-person gatherings and personal breathwork coaching in the northern Sydney bushland shire of Hornsby, the ancestral lands of the Darug people.
Functional breathwork
Learn the fundamentals of the science of breathing and breathwork, assess your current breathing habits, and practise a range of exercises that will improve how you breathe for overall health, fitness, and wellbeing.
Functional breathwork can be adapted for all ages and fitness levels, and for those with health conditions.
We offer group classes and private sessions.
Transformational breathwork
Transformational breathwork, also known as conscious connected breathwork, uses guided breathing techniques and music to help your body release stress and emotion. It helps you access your creative mind and subconscious, which can help you reconnect with your inner wisdom and purpose.
We use a safe, gentle form of trauma-informed breathwork that has a proven, powerful impact; however, it is not suitable for those with certain serious medical conditions. Please contact us for further details.
We offer group classes and private sessions.
Nature & Creativity Gatherings
Our half day or full day events blend spending time in nature with creative play, the power of circle, meditation and breathwork. All with a sprinkle of magic and wonder.
These practices help to calm your nervous system, keep you connected to your heart and soul, and deepen your relationship with nature, including fellow humans.
Each event has a different theme and focus. We endeavour to use natural and/or rescued, recycled and repurposed materials in our art and craft wherever possible.
Upcoming events
Breathe Better, Live Better: Fundamentals of Breathwork Workshop
In-person, 2-hour workshops where you'll learn the fundamentals of the science of breathing and breathwork, assess your current breathing habits, and practise a range of exercises that will improve how you breathe for overall health, fitness, and wellbeing. These are for small groups (max 12) so you'll get plenty of personal attention.
Dates (click for detail & bookings via Humanitix):
The Hearth
Here at The Hearth we know from both personal experience and scientific evidence that harnessing the power of the breath, connecting deeply with nature, sharing in circle, and expressing creativity are each healing and transformational practices by themselves. They are even more powerful when combined.
Our trained facilitators create welcoming spaces and share practices that we can all integrate into our daily lives (not just on the occasional retreat) that help us slow down, listen, and reconnect with the wisdom of the earth, our bodies, hearts and souls.
At this time of massive global change, we all need to reconnect with our gifts and deep purpose. To keep being curious, creative and compassionate. To connect with others, create community, and keep being meaningful change-makers in the world. And have fun doing it!
Our Team
Dr Catherine Dorey, Founder & Director
Hi, I'm Cat – a science and nature lover, permaculturist, activist, climber, consciousness explorer, artist and poet. I've worked as a research scientist exploring the wonders of the human body in health and disease; a science writer and editor; and an activist trainer, researcher and campaigner for a healthy planet, particularly the oceans.
After 20 plus years of being a voice for nature, impending burnout and menopause brain encouraged me to stop and rethink what's important in life. I took time out to travel, breathe, and reconnect with people, places, and spiritual and creative practices that are important to me.
I realised I need my work to include more creativity, community, and healing, so I trained as a women's circle facilitator and a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, and started The Hearth. I work with other facilitators and artists to create and run events.
My inspiration
I've had many amazing teachers throughout my life, but these especially are worth seeking out:
Mac and all the good folk at Embercombe in Devon, UK, whose collective wisdom has, time and again, deepened my connection to nature and reset my feet on the Twin Trail – the inner path of self-discovery and the outer path of action in the world.
Guy, Matt, Petra and the crew at Live In Flow who taught me the power of breath, sound, and meditation and rescued my nervous system.
Josh Schrei and The Emerald podcast – "a green glint of wonder in a world that needs to be reacquainted with its own beating heart." Just magical.
Certification and Accreditation
Cat trained and is certified as a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator with Rhythm of Breath and a women's circle facilitator with Honouring Heart. Both training providers are accredited to IPHM standards.
Professional Membership
Cat is a fully insured member of the International Institute of Complementary Therapists for both breathwork and circle facilitation.
Sparks – News from The Hearth
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