Calming Breathing Exercises 1 (Animals)
- Vainavi Gambhir
- Jan 10, 2021
- 2 min read
Who said breathing exercises can't be engaging? Breathing and meditation aren't rigid concepts. We don't have to sit in Lotus pose all the time, and we don't have to keep our eyes closed for long periods. Breathing can be a fun, sensory, dynamic, and holistic coping/wellness strategy. And throughout this three-part Breathing series, I'll share how.
1. Bunny Breath
Pretend you're a hungry bunny. Place a carrot (or any other object) in front of you at least a 10 feet distance.
Bring your "paws" in front of your chest and make short, quick sniffs.
To move towards the carrot, squat down and jump forward while sniffing.
This exercise not only promotes controlled, forceful breathing that can relive tension, but it also brings in a dynamic and interactive element through the carrot.
2. Smell Flower + Bee Breath
Pretend you are flying around a flower garden as a bee. If possible, try finding real flowers outdoors. Breathe in deeply, pretending to sniff a flower.
While breathing out, make a buzzing sound--oscillating your pitch from high to low, soft to loud.
This exercise is especially beneficial because it adds in the component of sound. Sound is another way you can engage better with the repetitive breathing.
3. Snake Breath
Now you are a snake in the hiding. Breathe in for 5 seconds, pause briefly (around 5 seconds), and make a hissing sound for as long as possible while slowly breathing out. Snakes are sly and quiet, so make sure your hissing isn't too loud or you'll reveal your hiding spot.
Like the Bee Breath, this incorporates the component of sound. What makes this different, however, is that the sound here is more uniform and focuses on quiet, consistent breathing.
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