4-4-6-2 breathing

  • 5–8 min
  • gentle
  • animation · free

If you feel dizzy, hear ringing in your ears or start feeling anxious, stop and breathe the way you normally do. Safety and limits

Headphones make this easier 🎧.

Sit comfortably, chest relaxed, the movement coming from the belly.

Where to focus: keep the breath in the belly. Hold your attention in the body.

How to breathe: inhale for 4 counts — pause 4 — slow exhale for 6 — pause 2.

Follow the circle: it grows on the inhale and shrinks on the exhale. Don't force the pauses — if it becomes uncomfortable, return to normal breathing.

When to skip it

  • discomfort with breath holds
  • a tendency to panic
  • marked breathlessness
  • pregnancy
  • cardiovascular conditions
  • lung conditions

Preparing the practice…