Dylan Edwards, the four-time premiership-winning fullback for the Penrith Panthers and the current No.1 for the NSW Blues, has been turning heads not just for his on-field prowess but for his unique pre-game ritual. Before every club and representative game, Edwards can be found sitting quietly, eyes closed, and shoes off, engaging in a series of short breathing exercises. This routine was once again observed at Optus Stadium during NSW’s captain’s run before the pivotal Origin II match against Queensland.
Edwards describes these moments as essential to his mental preparation. “I’ve been doing it a few years now,” he explained. “I just get out there and do a bit of breathing, and try not to think about anything. I think about the breath, or what I can hear, or what I can feel.” This practice, which he performs at every captain’s run, is a testament to his commitment to mental clarity and focus.
The Origin of Edwards’ Meditation Practice
The roots of Edwards’ meditation practice trace back to a challenging period in 2019. During a game against Melbourne in Bathurst, Edwards made several critical errors. Despite surviving the immediate fallout, he was eventually relegated to reserve grade. It was during this tumultuous time that Edwards sought the guidance of Carl Jennings, a former head of strength and conditioning at Penrith with experience at other clubs like the Raiders and the Canterbury Crusaders.
Jennings, who has a remarkable story of his own, having been awarded a New Zealand Bravery Medal for rescuing a neighbor from a burning house, introduced Edwards to the power of the brain through breathing techniques. Jennings’ own exploration of mental resilience led him to develop a program that Edwards has since embraced.
Expert Insights on Breathing Techniques
According to Jennings, now the national athletic performance director for American Football Australia, “Dylan has been practising how to clear his mind for a long time now, and it allows him to be in the moment. It’s about understanding the biology of the brain, not the psychology of the brain.”
“Breathing can be very powerful for an individual, but extremely powerful for an athlete because it allows you to be clear, to live in the moment, and to make the right decisions during a game on a consistent basis,” Jennings noted.
This approach is not unique to Edwards. The concept of “box breathing,” where individuals breathe in and out for four seconds, has been adopted by military personnel to calm the brain. Similarly, NRL teams often engage in group breathing exercises during breaks in play.
Implications for Athletic Performance
The implications of Edwards’ meditation techniques extend beyond personal performance. They highlight a growing trend in professional sports where mental conditioning is considered as crucial as physical training. By focusing on the present moment and maintaining mental clarity, athletes like Edwards can enhance their decision-making and performance under pressure.
As the NSW Blues prepare for their next showdown against Queensland at Accor Stadium, Edwards’ routine will likely be a key component of his preparation. His dedication to mental discipline serves as an inspiration to teammates and athletes across various sports.
In a world where the mind is often as taxed as the body, Edwards’ story underscores the importance of mental health practices in achieving peak athletic performance. As more athletes adopt similar techniques, the landscape of sports training continues to evolve, blending traditional physical conditioning with innovative mental strategies.
