Guide to Destressing With Meditative Breathing

If you don’t have 45 minutes to spend flowing and breathing through a yoga class, you can still destress and take a few minutes to re-center. Giving so much time and energy to others, especially around the holidays, can drain your pool of energy. Use this step-by-step guide and take a few minutes for yourself during your work day, in the car before you go to the grocery store, or at night to relax before bed.

Don’t get caught up trying to be perfectly still and focused – you could wind up even more stressed! Just do your best and know that stillness can take time.

Guide to Meditative Breathing

• Find a quiet place without distractions where you can be comfortable.
• If you’d like, put on some soft, calming music (we love the Peaceful Piano and Calming Acoustic playlists on Spotify).
• Sit or lie down in a position that’s comfortable and close your eyes. Take a deep inhale through your nose, hold your breath briefly at the top and then suck in a little more air. Exhale through your mouth, releasing all tension.
• Begin to lengthen your breath, giving equal time to your inhale and exhale.
• If your mind wanders, don’t get frustrated, address the thought and then let it go.
• Keep breathing deeply, sinking deeper into the ground with each exhale.

When you’re finished, slowly bring awareness back into your space, wiggling your hands and toes and slowly opening your eyes.

It’s just as important to spend a few moments taking care of your mind as it is your body. For a longer practice, join us in candlelight yoga for a calm, meditative class or in our flow or hot yoga classes to combine moments of meditation with muscle engagement.