Three Calming Breathing Exercises

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Breath in. And breathe out.

Breathing is something we all do all the time. We can’t live without doing it, and yet we often take it for granted. Focusing on your breathing can actually be an excellent way to recenter yourself and find your inner calm. Here are three breathing practices to help you refocus on your breath.

The Belly Breath

Lie down in a comfortable position and put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Take a deep breath in and let your belly push your hand out. Breathe out through your lips and control your breathing so it is your belly controlling your breathing and not your chest.

Energizing Nostril Breath

Nostril breathing is a good way to re-energize and refocus the mind. Press your thumb on the outside of one nostril and then deeply inhale through the other nostril. After you have inhaled, let go of your nostril and press on the other one. Now, exhale through the alternate nostril. Repeat. Repeat. And repeat.

Equal Breath

Sit down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply for four seconds and slowly count to four. Next, hold your breath four another four seconds and finally, exhale for four seconds. Over time, you can build up each round so that you are inhaling and exhaling for longer periods.