Calming Overwhelm - Diaphragmatic Breathing

Cultivating the skill in noticing & improving breathing patterns to facilitate calm

Overview

Step 1 - Learning the Four Phases

Step 2 - Slowing Down

Step 3 - Finding Enjoyment

Long Version (~35min)

Short Version (~13min)

Practice Visualization

Drawing

Overview

What

Cultivating the skill in noticing & improving breathing patterns to facilitate calm

Benefits

  • Recurring automatic relaxation and calm with every breath

  • Reduced Anxiety

  • Supports Softening Skill

Instructions

  1. Lower Belly Breaths

    • Intentional gentle slow diaphragmatic breaths - pushing the lower belly out&in

  2. Belly-Ribs Breaths

    • Starting with DPB, then allowing the air to fill the ribs

  3. Belly-Ribs-Chest Breaths

    • Starting with DPB, followed by ribs, then allowing the air to fill up the chest

  4. Natural Diaphragmatic Breaths

    • Letting go of any intentional breathing

    • Being curious and observing how the diaphragm naturally engages

    • Teaching the mind a calmer way of breathing, by experiencing and enjoying the relaxation from it

Consider

Lightheaded or Dizzy

  • This may be a common sign of adjustment to a new way of breathing. Pause & breathe naturally again until you feel ready, then start again.

Strain

  • This may be a sign of excessive effort. Bring an attitude of gentleness and allowing the body to welcome your suggestions, rather than of struggling or forcing.

Daily Life

  • Notice your breathing patterns throughout the day

  • When non-diaphragmatic breathing is occurring (during a non-cardiovascular activity), practice 5 gentle slow diaphragmatic breaths to retrain your breathing pattern in the moment

Progress

  • Recognize one's breathing patterns

  • Ability to activate DPB

  • DBP increasingly becomes the default way of breathing

  • DPB feels relaxing and calming

Acknowledgement

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