It teaches pupils how to regulate their nervous system, improve focus and respond to pressure in a healthy way.
A new six-week breathwork programme has just launched in West Belfast, designed to support primary school children with emotional regulation and resilience inside the classroom.
Rang 4 pupils at Scoil na Fuiseoige in Twinbrook are among those taking part in immersive 9D Breathwork sessions designed to help them manage stress, calm anxiety and build confidence in a practical and engaging way.
At a time when schools across Northern Ireland face growing challenges regarding children’s mental health, this initiative focuses on prevention — teaching pupils how to regulate their nervous system, improve focus and respond to pressure in a healthy way.
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Rather than therapy, the programme gives children tools they can use before exams, during stressful moments, or whenever they feel overwhelmed.
It’s being delivered by Martin and Ashleigh Duffy of 9D Warriors Breathwork — Northern Ireland’s first certified male and female 9D Breathwork facilitators.
The launch follows recent sessions at The Good Shepherd Primary School, where children described feeling “calm, safe and empowered” after taking part with more sessions also taking place at other schools around Belfast, and in Glengormley and Enniskillen.
Martin Duffy 9D Warriors Breathwork told Belfast Live: “I started doing this, just over a year ago and it’s all based around releasing the trauma, especially here where we live in Northern Ireland.
“There’s a lot of trauma based not just The Troubles but with addictions, domestic violence so it’s about getting rid of all that and dealing with it. In terms of the kids it’s about preventing mental health problems, addictions, suicides etc.”
Martin also believes it’s an initiative that should be rolled out in every school in Northern Ireland: “When we were growing up, we weren’t allowed to talk about emotions. We didn’t even know what emotions were, so if someone say, passed away, you didn’t know how to cope.
“Our parents didn’t know how to teach us either, so this teaches kids how to regulate their nervous systems, how to feel their emotions and that it’s OK to feel their emotions and talk about them.
“They put the blindfold on, the headset on, and they listen to the journey that’s all about deep breathing with different sounds, different layers, the normal beats, neuroscience all built into the 9D that goes into the nervous system and gets the kids calm.”
Martin added: “They can bring that home with them when they get angry, when they’re feeling emotional, when they’re feeling sad. “The kids feel safe and calm, and they always say, ‘When are you coming back again?’ If we had had this when we were kids, it would have prevented a lot of stuff that’s going on now around mental health and depression.”
Scoil Na Fuiseoige principal Caoimhín Williamson says he’s already seeing the benefits of the programme among his pupils: “We always try to bring in strategies to help the children to handle their emotions and to promote better mental health.
“There are all sorts of advantages to the breath work – it reduces stress and helps the children deal with their emotions. There is also physical benefits as well – it promotes better sleep, lower blood pressure, things like that.”
Mr Williamson added: “What we say is it’s all right for the children to feel a certain way, but then it’s how they deal with those emotions and how they act on those emotions. If they are able to cope with their emotions and feelings, then it leads to better outcomes for them in later life.
“This is the second week and already we’ve noticed a massive difference with the kids. Whenever they finish the breath work session, they’re so much happier. They’re coming out ready to learn. Their concentration and focus have improved as well, so it’s definitely having a positive impact on the pupils.”
Video: Justin Kernoghan
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