Practice
Conscious breathing: three simple techniques
Breath is the most accessible tool for attention you have. These short practices help before a session or at any point in your day.
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Why breathing matters
We breathe without thinking, but we can also do it with intention. Changing the rhythm and depth of the breath often helps calm the body and focus attention. That is why it is central to tantra and to meditation.
Three simple exercises
Practise seated or lying down, without forcing:
- Abdominal breathing: one hand on your belly, inhale through the nose feeling it rise and exhale slowly. Repeat for two or three minutes.
- Long exhale: inhale for a count of four and exhale for six. Lengthening the exhale invites letting go.
- Coherent breathing: inhale and exhale for a count of five, smoothly and continuously, for a few minutes.
When to practise
Before sleep, at the end of the day or just before your session. In how to prepare for your first session you will find more tips, and in how a session works you can see how we use breathing during the massage.
Precautions
Always breathe gently. If you feel dizzy, stop the exercise and return to your normal rhythm. If you have breathing or heart problems or another medical condition, speak to a healthcare professional first.