Introduction

Breathing is a wonderful thing. It keeps us alive — fuels, nourishes and detoxes our body. Deep breathing, however, is when the real magic happens.Deep breathing sends a direct message to our nervous system that it is safe to relax. It gets us out of our head and back to the present moment, helping us to think less and feel more.Breathing at a rate ofhas been found to be the sweet spot to trigger a “relaxation response” in the brain and body, according to studies done by scientists.It's also the same frequency found in the repetitive actions of many spiritual practices – such as the Ave Marias spoken in rosary prayers and the chanting of yogic mantras.This app is an easy way to synchronize your breathing to this restorative rhythm, quickly sending you into a relaxed but focused state of mind.

How to Breathe

Learning to breathe right is simple, but it can take a little practice as many of us have been breathing the wrong way since childhood.



If you watch a baby breathing, you'll notice their belly ‘balloon out’ every time they breathe in. This is a perfect demonstration of correct breathing technique.



For many of us, this kind of breathing is no longer instinctive. Cultural expectations, including the desire to have a flat stomach, encourage holding our breath and sucking in our stomachs.



To practice deep breathing, try placing one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Breathe in deeply while pushing out your stomach as far as you can.



The goal is to keep your chest and shoulders completely still while only your stomach expands. As you exhale, you should feel your stomach pulling back in.



Always inhale through your nose. This slows down your breathing, and filters out toxins in the air. Exhale through your nose, or mouth if your prefer.



Once you've got the hang of it, try to use this technique for every breath you take. It might take some getting used to, but the benefits are incredible!

Benefits