As breathing is something we can control and regulate, it is a useful tool for letting go of resistant thoughts and achieving a relaxed and clear state. Using deep breathing exercises, you can breathe your way into alignment.
Equal Breathing
1. Lie or sit comfortably, depending on your personal preference.
2. Close your eyes and begin to notice your natural breath.
3. After 4 or 5 natural breaths, begin to slowly count to four as you inhale.
Take a moment at the top of your inhale, then also count to four as you exhale. Again take a moment, then inhale again to another count of four.
Belly Breathing
1. Lie or sit comfortably, depending on your personal preference.
2. Place one of your hands on your stomach, just below your rib cage. Place the second hand over your chest.
3. Breathe in deeply through your nostrils, letting your first hand be pushed out by your stomach. You should find that your chest stays stationary. You do not need to count but you should inhale until you cannot take in more air comfortably.
4. Breathe through pursed lips as you let the breath out.
4-7-8 Breathing
1. Lie or sit comfortably, depending on your personal preference.
2. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.
3. Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
4. Hold your breath for a count of seven.
5. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight. This is one breath.
Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.