CALMING YOUR NERVES
Ocean breath is an effective way to rebalance your body, mind and spirit when you are feeling nervous. In this gentle breathing cycle, you use a slight contraction in the throat to recreate the soothing, whooshing sound of waves which, with practise, will calm both body and mind. Helpful anytime, ocean breath is particularly beneficial when you cannot sleep.
NEED TO KNOW
BENEFITS: calm mind, warm, energised body, present moment awareness.
TIME: 5 minutes daily, building up over time
HOW: eyes closed, slightly open mouth, relaxed jaw and tongue, hands on knees, palms up.
THE PROCESS
Breathe in through your mouth and as you breathe out, slightly contract your back of your throat, softly whispering ‘huhhh’. Avoid contracting too much, which will tighten the throat.
When comfortable making this sound on the whale, hold the slight contraction while inhaling too, making a wave-like sound as your breath moves gently in and out.
Close your mouth, keeping your lips soft and your tongue relaxed. As you breathe through your nose, keep up both the contraction and the wave sound from the back of your throat.
Now, focus completely on the sound of your breath, which should be audible only to you, letting it calm you. Breathe rhythmically and smoothly.
Fill your lungs as much as possible without straining, then fully release the breath as you breathe out. Continue fro as long as it feels comfortable before returning to a normal breathing pattern.