What Is Neurodynamic Breathwork & How Does it Work?

What Is Neurodynamic Breathwork

Breathwork is a practice that encourages people from all walks of life to enter a meditative state by focusing on their breathing.

It’s an ancient technique, harnessing the power of breath to foster mental clarity and emotional stability.

There are many forms of breathwork, but neurodynamic breathwork stands out for its unique approach to engaging with the subconscious mind through specific breathing patterns.

Neurodynamic breathwork involves rhythmic, patterned breathing designed to alter brainwave activity and tap into deeper layers of your mind.

It incorporates a curated music selection to help you achieve a profound connection with your inner self and support the release and rewiring of psychological patterns.

The music not only supports the process but also aids in fostering personal growth, alleviating anxiety and promoting overall mental wellness.

"Over the years, we have witnessed the transformational power of this technique. The conscious connected ro circular breathing with no pauses between inhale and exhale, reduces activity in a specific part of the brain called the Default Mode Network (DMN). The spiritual seat of the ego.
When this area of the brain is offline, the limbic system comes online and we gain access to unconscious material that we don’t normally have access to. This is really important because we can become aware of patterns that might be running our lives without our awareness. With this, there is a chance to reprogram the neural pathways."

What are the benefits of neurodynamic breathwork?

Neurodynamic breathwork offers numerous benefits, both mental and physical. Here are some key advantages:

Stress reduction

Neurodynamic breathwork can significantly reduce stress levels given it engages with your parasympathetic nervous system.

The result is lowered cortisol (i.e. the hormone that creates stress), promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

Emotional healing

A lot of people turn to breathwork because they’re going through a dark time in their emotional lives.

Neurodynamic breathwork allows you to access and process buried emotions, leading to emotional release and healing.

It can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with trauma or chronic anxiety.

Enhanced creativity

People experience heightened creativity and intuition when they tap into their subconscious mind.

This can be especially useful for artists, writers and anyone looking to boost their creative potential.

Improved focus and clarity

When you regularly practise neurodynamic breathwork, you can improve your own mental clarity and concentration.

This is achieved by calming the mind and reducing the chatter of everyday thoughts, allowing for a more focused state of being.

Physical health benefits

Breathwork isn’t just good for your emotions and your psyche.

The practice of deep, controlled breathing is known to improve cardiovascular health, increase lung capacity and enhance overall physical wellbeing.

Spiritual growth

For many, neurodynamic breathwork is a pathway to spiritual awakening.

It facilitates a deeper connection with oneself and the universe, promoting a sense of unity and purpose.

The basic neurodynamic breathwork technique

  • Bring awareness to the breath, breathing deeper and lower
  • Use your mouth to inhale and exhale, adding an optional gentle sound to the exhale 
  • The inhale and exhale are connected, meaning there is no pause between the in-breath and the out-breath. 
  • Keep breathing continuously for 10 min to 1 hour.
  • As you breathe, observe the sensations in your body without judgement. Allow your mind to settle into the natural flow of your breath.
  • Give yourself integration time by letting the breath return to normal and resting before coming back to a seated, eyes-opened position.

 

Make sure you feel safe in your environment and, in doubt, call on a trusted person to assist the process. 

You can begin to experience the profound effects of neurodynamic breathwork by practising regularly.

"We have worked with this type of technique (conscious connected breathing) for some time now, witnessing incredible results in many people’s lives. People that lived with depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, chronic stress, autoimmune diseases, childhood trauma, being able to release stuck emotional memories, old ways of thinking and behavioural patterns, understanding and integrating a new outlook on life. We are actually participating in a University study about the impact of this type of breathwork in the brain.."

What's the science behind neurodynamic breathwork?

Neurodynamic breathwork is deeply rooted in the interplay between breathing patterns, the nervous system, and brain activity.

Here’s a closer look at the science behind it.

Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system

Slow, controlled breathing sends signals to the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

The vagus nerve is a crucial link between the mind and body. It plays a vital role in regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs rest and digestion.

Activating the parasympathetic nervous system triggers a relaxation response, reducing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.

Alteration of brainwave activity and reduction of stress

Patterned breathing can shift brainwave activity, facilitating access to deeper states of consciousness.

This in turn can help you tap into your subconscious mind, promoting both introspection and emotional healing.

Ultimate, neurodynamic breathwork can lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This not only reduces stress but also has numerous benefits for overall health and well-being.

Want to learn more about neurodynamic breathwork?

Neurodynamic breathwork is a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being.

 Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, heal your emotions, boost creativity or enhance your spiritual journey, this practice offers numerous benefits.

Professional guidance can help you master the techniques and fully experience the profound benefits of this practice.

If you’re interested in exploring this transformative technique further, consider enrolling in one of our breathwork courses.

You can also participate in our free breathwork masterclass, where we can help you release repressed emotions in the body and enjoy more mental clarity and peace in your life.

Johannes’s inspiring life journey is punctuated by seeking the positives in every situation, a thirst for self-discovery and a love for unconventional experiences.

Despite a challenging childhood, he discovered something unexpected that would alter the direction of his life forever – controlled breathing.

Breathwork immediately resonated with Johannes, and he relentlessly cultivated knowledge on the subject from brilliant minds such as Wim Hof, Laird Hamilton etc and acquired more than ten breathwork certifications.

His holistic wellness brand, Breathless Expeditions, has led the breathwork movement in Australia and inspired thousands of people across the globe since 2018.

With world-renowned clientele such as David Goggins, Ludovico Einaudi, A-League Sports Teams, and some of Australia’s largest companies including PwC’s The Outside event flipping professional development, team building and life reslience experiences on its head, the future is brighter than ever for Johannes and Breathless.

For additional inspiration visit his youtube channel.

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