Infinite Breath Exercise

Here is my favorite breathing technique. It comes from many teachers, most recently Don, and I am grateful to them all- both live and those on CD. I use it when I want to relax, move to greater calm or groundedness. It can also be used while lying down for greater relaxation into sleep.

• Stand with legs shoulder width apart. (lie down for sleep)
  
• Place your right hand over your abdomen with your right thumb touching your naval. Place your left hand over your right. Relax your knees, back straight and eyes facing forward
  
• Inhale through the nose and as you inhale, let the breathe go into your abdomen. Feel your hands move outward as your belly fills with air. Let it expand.
• Completing the inhale, begin to breathe out. At the final moment of exhale contract your abdomen to get a more full exhale, an emptiness.
• Then inhale again, this time pushing out your abdomen further than the last. Typically these muscles aren't used in our regular breathing patterns so gently help them remember full expansion as you inhale this time.
• Establish a rhythm of inhale and exhale. You can experiment holding the breath for a few seconds at the end of the inhale but I find it's great to have a flow, a rhythm of inhale to exhale, inhale to exhale. Continue for at least 10 breaths or 10 minutes or more- whichever you can support.
  
• I picture and map an infinity symbol with my breath. Breathing in I complete half of the symbol, a loop, mentally tracing it through my upper body. As I exhale I complete the lower half of the symbol with my breath going into the ground and back to my waist.
• Experiment and vary as you find what works best for you.
  

When you focus on the breath you will find that all other thoughts are removed. If you find you are thinking, just relax and go back to the breath. With regular practice this becomes more natural.