01/09/2026
Yesterday, I asked you to notice your breath.
Today, let's work with it.
When we consciously slow our breathing, we give ourselves a moment to pause, and this can support the body's shift towards a calmer, more regulated state. Research on slow-paced breathing has found short-term changes in heart rate, heart-rate variability, and other markers of autonomic regulation.
So, when you practise this:
● Get comfortable.
Sit on a chair or on the ground, wherever your body feels supported.
● Soften.
Relax your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Let your body settle.
● Slow it down.
Take a gentle, comfortable inhale…
and allow the exhale to be a little slower and longer.
Don't force it.
Don't try to take the biggest breath possible.
Just notice what changes when you give yourself permission to slow down.
This isn't about escaping what you're feeling.
It's about creating enough space to be present with it.
This simple practice has a much older companion too. Conscious breathing has been part of yogic practices such as pranayama for centuries, where the breath is intentionally regulated as part of cultivating steadiness and awareness.
Notice. Pause. Breathe. Come back to yourself.
Inner work · Breathwork · Self-awareness · Emotional regulation · Nervous system regulation · Grounding · Mind-body connection · Personal development · Conscious living · Pranayama
