The practice of breathwork dates back thousands of years, and has been used across cultures to calm the mind, connect with the body, and shift emotional states. In recent years, it has experienced a powerful resurgence, as more people discover how something as simple as conscious breathing can support mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health.
While traditional techniques like pranayama are still widely used, breathwork has, and continues to, evolve. New methods are emerging that bring a modern twist to this ancient practice. One of the most talked-about right now is 9D Breathwork, a multi-sensory experience designed to create fast and powerful shifts.
In this article, we explore two powerful approaches: 9D Breathwork and the Breathless methodology. One offers an immersive, audio-driven experience, while the other is grounded in research and designed to reconnect you to your body through a variety of slow and fast breathing techniques. We will help you understand what makes them unique and how to choose the one that’s right for you.
9D Breathwork is a modern form of guided breathwork that blends conscious breathing with scientifically-designed soundscapes, precise auditory stimulation, and healing frequencies to help people access deep emotional release, mental clarity, and lasting inner shifts.
It was created by Brian Kelly, an American breathwork guide whose personal journey began after experiencing severe burnout and nervous system overload. His first somatic breathwork session led to a profound physical and emotional breakthrough, inspiring him to explore and eventually develop his own method.
The “9D” in the name refers to nine different elements woven into each session. These include:
These 9 ‘layers’ work together to shift your mental and emotional state. The result is a sensory journey that feels more like an experience than a practice.
A 9D Breathwork session is not your average breathwork class. It’s a powerful and immersive experience that invites you to go deep. This is not slow breathing – it’s fast, and it’s powerful. You’ll be guided through connected conscious breathing that encourages intensity and presence.
During the session, you’ll wear headphones and an eye mask while lying down in a comfortable space. You’ll be guided through a carefully designed audio journey that combines layered soundscapes, frequency-based healing, and breath cues that support emotional release. Many people report feeling lighter, clearer, or more connected afterward.
Like all breathwork techniques, 9D breathwork can improve your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Many people turn to it when they’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or carrying emotional weight they can’t quite put into words. This multidimensional breathwork practice helps you release tension and stress, overcome trauma, and access a calmer, more grounded state. Physically, it boosts oxygen flow and supports nervous system regulation, helping your body feel more balanced and energised. Emotionally and spiritually, it can bring powerful insights, inner clarity, and even moments of peace or connection that stay with you long after the session ends.
As you breathe, your brain naturally shifts into alpha and theta states, those calm, dreamy places where your subconscious lives. At the same time, your body lets go of built-up tension, and you start to feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded.
Despite the numerous benefits of 9D breathwork, it’s not for everyone. If you’re pregnant, have cardiovascular or chronic respiratory conditions, are on medications that may be affected by changes in oxygen levels, or have a history of seizures, aneurysms, osteoporosis, or severe mental health challenges, it’s important to proceed with care. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t participate, but a modified approach may be more appropriate. If unsure, consult with your primary healthcare provider before joining a session. It also may not be the right fit if you’re seeking a gentle, calming breathwork practice, or if you’re not quite ready for a deep emotional dive.
Breathless is a complete and holistic approach to breathwork offering a wide range of practices to create intentional breath flows that support different needs and outcomes. Some sessions use faster-paced breathing techniques to help you access deeper layers of the subconscious and release emotional blocks; while others focus on slower, more calming breathwork to regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, and support better sleep. Each flow is designed to meet you where you are, and guide you toward where you want to be. All our breathwork modalities offer different benefits and are backed by scientific research.
Breathless was founded by leading breathwork and cold immersion coach, and author Johannes Egberts in 2018. Originally from the Netherlands, he arrived in Australia at 18 with little more than a desire to change his life. After overcoming personal struggles with mental health, his discovery of breathwork became a transformational turning point, and the foundation for his life’s work.
We know there is no single approach that works for everyone, which is why our mission is to make breathwork as inclusive and adaptable as possible. We believe there is a breath for every body and every journey.
Every Breathless session is unique, and your experience will depend on the type of breathwork event you attend. In a Breakthrough Breathwork session, for example, you’ll be guided through a blend of slower and faster breathing patterns. The slower breathing helps calm your nervous system and bring a sense of balance, while the more intense phases can support emotional release, creating space for meaningful transformation.
At the beginning, you’ll be welcomed with a mat and blanket and invited to lie down and get comfortable. That said, this is your journey, so if at any point you feel the need to move, sit up, or even stand, we encourage you to listen to your body and follow what feels right.
Throughout the session, you’ll explore the subtle dance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, learning how to breathe less while gaining more from each breath. Carefully selected music, instruments, and soundscapes will guide you through each stage of the journey, helping to deepen your connection and experience.
Unlike some other breathwork modalities, we place a large focus on integration at the end of every breathwork session. This phase marks a gentle shift in the breathwork journey. Here, the focus moves to the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts as the body’s natural brake. The pace slows, creating a nurturing space where the nervous system can settle and the body can begin to absorb restorative, rejuvenating energy.
During this time, both the body and mind process and begin to heal from the experiences brought forward in the session. Earlier phases may have surfaced old patterns or traumas, offering the participant an opportunity to connect the dots and complete unresolved stress cycles. Now, the body welcomes in clarity, calm, and emotional renewal as it begins to integrate the transformation that has taken place.
Our range of breathwork techniques offer a broad spectrum of benefits for the body, mind, and emotions. These include restoring energy, calming the mind, and reconnecting with the body. It’s also a natural stress reliever, helping to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and create a sense of calm and clarity.
Many participants also report improved focus and mental clarity as they learn to slow their breath and quiet the mind. Our breathwork also supports emotional release, helping individuals process repressed emotions and trauma in a safe, supportive and professional environment.
The calming effects of breathwork also promote better sleep and deep relaxation, making it easier to unwind at the end of the day. Most importantly, it builds emotional resilience, giving people a tool they can return to in moments of stress or uncertainty.
While breathwork offers many benefits, not every technique is suitable for everyone. Certain practices – especially those involving fast, deep breathing or conscious connected breathwork – may not be appropriate for individuals with specific health conditions. Those with chronic respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD, as well as anyone with cardiovascular concerns like heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke, should consult their healthcare provider before participating.
Additionally, fast or intense breathwork practices, including any form of hyperventilation, are not recommended during pregnancy. If you’re unsure whether breathwork is right for you, we encourage you to reach out to our team or speak with your medical provider for guidance.
While both 9D Breathwork and Breathless tap into the transformational power of breath, they deliver fundamentally different experiences. 9D Breathwork is a tech-driven, audio-guided journey that uses headphones, binaural beats, and layered soundscapes to support emotional release and healing through what can often be intense experiences. Breathless, on the other hand, is a fully immersive and active experience that incorporates guidance, physical breath exercises, and tools like ice baths to build resilience and enhance performance. Breathless is taught in multidimensional ways, including live workshops to online courses and app-based instruction, making it highly adaptable for those seeking to go deeper or those interested in becoming certified breathwork facilitators. Both practices are suitable for newcomers and advanced practitioners.
Choosing the right breathwork practice starts with understanding what you want to get out of the practice. Are you comfortable with tech and seeking a powerful emotional release? Breathwork 9D may be the ideal starting point. Do you want more hands-on guidance, a variety of breathwork techniques, or aspire to become a facilitator? Then Breathless could be your path. Ask yourself what you need help with – is it regulating your nervous system? Breath retraining? Breathwork for performance? Help overcoming emotional blockages? Sleep improvement? Or do you just want to try and see for yourself the power of breathwork? Each method offers unique benefits, and exploring both can help you build a well-rounded, sustainable breathwork practice that improves your overall wellbeing.
This concise online program bridges the gap between ancient principles and scientific explanations. clear, simple, and immediately applicable to your life, due to 7 super effective guided exercises.
For most people, 9D Breathwork is a safe and supportive practice designed to help you release emotions and reconnect with yourself. That said, it’s important to listen to your body. If you have any medical conditions like heart or respiratory issues, epilepsy, or if you’re pregnant, it’s best to check in with your doctor before trying a session.
Yes, you can. One of the best things about 9D Breathwork is that you can do it in your own space. All you need is a quiet place to lie down and a good pair of headphones.
Session times differ but most will run for about 60 to 90 minutes. This gives you enough time to ease into the practice, go deep with the breathwork itself, and finish with some time to relax.
9D Breathwork was created by Brian Kelly, who developed the method after going through his own healing journey. He combined breathwork with music, sound frequencies, and other tools to create a deeply immersive experience that speaks to the mind, body, and emotions all at once.
9D Breathwork uses specific breathing patterns combined with multi-layered audio, including music, sounds, and guided voice prompts. As you breathe, the audio helps shift your brainwaves and guide your emotions, creating a powerful experience that can help you release stress, process emotions, and feel more connected to yourself.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Breathwork practices, including 9D Breathwork and Breathless, may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with medical conditions or those who are pregnant should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before participating. Always listen to your body and seek professional advice if you have any concerns about your health or fitness to engage in breathwork.
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