Feeling wound up when you want to rest, or flat after a demanding day, can leave you unsure what you need. I’m Hayley, and I offer guided 9D breathwork at my Port Kembla studio, helping people across Wollongong and the Illawarra explore a slower breathing pace with support.
You might notice that a difficult conversation stays with you long after it ends, or that you feel exhausted while your thoughts keep moving. People often describe these experiences as nervous system dysregulation. The phrase gives them a way to talk about feeling overwhelmed or finding it difficult to settle.
Your nervous system helps you respond to what is happening around you. Changes in alertness and energy are part of everyday life, so feeling stressed doesn’t mean your body has stopped working properly. I’m interested in what you notice and what makes daily life difficult for you, rather than fitting your experience into a label.
Breathwork gives us something practical to explore: the pace of your breathing, how comfortable it feels and whether you notice any change as you rest. I start gently so there is room to find out what works for you without making relaxation another thing you have to get right.
Breathing usually happens automatically, but you can also change its rhythm deliberately. The nervous system helps adjust your breathing rate as your needs change. This connection is why breathing practices are used to explore the body’s response to stress and rest.
A review of slow-breathing research found changes in heart-rate variability, the variation in time between heartbeats, alongside reports of greater relaxation. The research involved healthy participants and different breathing practices; it doesn’t show that a 9D session permanently resets the nervous system.
In my sessions, I start with slow nasal breathing while you lie on a mat and listen through headphones. The 9D audio combines music with spoken guidance, giving you a breathing cue to return to if your attention wanders. I’m there to support you as you notice the pace and how you feel.
Read about breathwork and nervous system regulation
The breathing pattern matters. I offer down-regulating and activating formats, and I’ll explain the difference before we decide what is suitable for you. A stronger experience is optional.
This is my starting point: slower nasal breathing with the aim of supporting rest and relaxation. You have time to get used to the headphones and follow the guidance, with the option to pause.
If you arrive feeling wound up, the session gives you a supported space to explore slowing down. I’ll ask how you’re finding it, rather than assume that the same pace feels comfortable for everyone.
An activating format uses a stronger breathing pattern and can feel more intense. I discuss this separately, taking your circumstances, previous experience and preferences into account.
You don’t need to move on to activating breathwork to keep attending. Feeling tired or disconnected doesn’t automatically mean you need more stimulation; we can talk about how you feel before choosing a format.
“Since starting 9D breathwork, I've noticed a profound shift in my energy and overall well-being. The space is beautifully designed to feel safe, supportive, and deeply comforting, making every session something I truly look forward to.”
“Attending 9D Breathwork helps keep me grounded and regulated each week.”
“I came open minded not knowing what to expect and it turned out to be a powerful yet calming and emotional experience for me.”
“Great experience starting to feel much calmer. Hayley that runs it is a beautiful kind caring lady that makes you feel comfortable and safe.”
People often use this phrase to describe difficulty settling after stress or feeling overwhelmed by their reactions. It can be a useful way to begin a conversation, but it doesn’t tell me the cause of what you’re experiencing. I’ll ask about how you feel and what brings you to breathwork, rather than use the phrase as a diagnosis.
Slower breathing can influence the activity involved in stress and relaxation, but a “reset” isn’t a literal switch I can turn on during a session. I offer guided breathing as a practice you can explore, with time to notice your response. I don’t promise to permanently rewire your nervous system or remove the pressures affecting you.
I begin with slower, down-regulating breathing and a conversation about your needs. An activating session uses a stronger breathing pattern and is an optional format to discuss later, depending on suitability and your preference. Feeling flat on its own isn’t a reason to choose a more intense session. You can continue with slower breathing if that is the approach you prefer.
Tell me beforehand if this has happened to you. I’ll talk through the session and how to ask for a pause. During the session, you can stop the breathing pattern and return to your usual breathing; you don’t need to push through discomfort or keep up with every audio cue. We can discuss whether to continue.
There is no fixed number of sessions I can recommend for everyone who feels unsettled or overwhelmed. I suggest discussing what you want from breathwork and reviewing how a first session feels before making further plans. Any ongoing bookings can take your response, time and budget into account.
My studio is at 43 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla NSW 2505, welcoming people from Wollongong and across the Illawarra. You don’t need previous breathwork experience. Private sessions are arranged directly with me, and I’ll confirm availability, duration and price before you book.
If you’d like support with breathwork, tell me what you’ve been noticing and what you hope to get from a session. I’ll explain how I work, answer your questions and talk through a starting point with you.
I welcome people from Wollongong and across the Illawarra to my studio at 43 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla NSW 2505. We’ll arrange your private session directly, with availability, duration and price confirmed before you book.
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