This breathing practice or pranayama is helpful for relaxing. It involves matching the length of your inhale to your exhale.
I’ve previously described how to do this breathing practice but it can be easier listening to someone rather than reading when it comes to trying breathing practices. In this audio recording, I talk you through how to observe your breathe and then making small changes to move towards an even inhale and exhale, before eventually trying to make them longer.
If the audio doesn’t play, try this version.
It can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. That tells your body to move to a state of relaxation which can slow down your breathing and heart rate.
It’s also a simple way to observe your breathe pattern and explore what it’s like to change that pattern.
I find this moving image helpful to visualise breathing, from mindful.org.
