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OPEN MIND OPEN BODY Take A Deep Breath |
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The Hug Breath The hug breath is a simple breathing practice that increases awareness and produces a sense of general well-being. To practice the hug breath, bring your arms into the position shown below. Make sure that your hands wrap all the way to your upper back - reach the arms as far around you as you can.
In this position, breathe slowly and deeply. Relax the belly as you inhale, and continue to inhale until you feel the chest rise up to your arms, and the upper back spread under your fingertips. As you exhale, lightly draw the belly in and feel the chest and back release down and in. Focus your awareness on the movement of the chest and upper back as your breathe. Keep your arms tightly wrapped as you inhale. The end of the inhale will feel like an actual hug, if you keep your arms firmly in place. As your chest and back expand against the resistance of your arms, the feeling is very similar to a tight hug. After a few rounds of this breath (or up to 2 minutes), finish with a heart-opening chest stretch, such as the one shown below. The hug breath, followed by a chest stretch, is excellent for sadness, depression, and grief. I also call it the recovery breath, because it is one small but easy way of taking care of yourself in difficult times.
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