Breathing Practices

Many people don’t realize that there are many different ways you can breathe—shallow breathing, deep breathing, breathing with retention, alternate nostril breathing, and the list goes on. The interesting thing is that the way, style, and pace in which you breathe can have a dramatic impact on the state of your mind and body. This is where breathing practices can play a helpful role.

Breathing practices can be designed to help you cultivate and cope with certain feelings. For example, if you are feeling stressed, you can try alternate nostril breathing or focus on your exhale. If you need an energy boost, try practicing breathing exercises that involve breath retention or the breath of fire. If you’re looking to work with a breathing sequence that offers a variety of benefits, try this 10-minute breathing sequence.

No matter if your goal is to de-stress, energize, or calm your mental chatter, browse this guide to find a type of mindful breathing practice to suit your needs.