This is the 8th in a series of posts exploring various breathing techniques. All of them have been momentary aids to relieve stress & tension, to re-energize, re-focus and/or just feel good.

(You can register for the corresponding video series for free here.)

The 8th technique to explore is called triangular breathing.

Imagine tracing an equalateral triangle in the air with your finger:

1. From the bottom left corner, draw a line diagonally to the top of the triangle.
2. From the top, draw a line diagonally down to the bottom right corner of the triangle.
3. From the bottom right corner, draw a line horizontally across to where you started at the bottom left corner of the triangle.

Now, each one of those ‘sides’ is an:

(1) inhalation; (2) exhalation; and (3) un-holding of the breath.

Here we go:

1. Breathe in as you draw from bottom left to top.
2. Breathe out as you draw from top to bottom right.
3. Un-hold your breath as you draw from bottom right to left.

Repeat this for 1 minute.

Most people ordinarily teach this in the reverse. That is, they encourage you to hold your breath after the inhalation as the 3rd side (as opposed to un-holding after the exhalation).
Imagine an upside down triangle, with the flat base at the top.

I strongly recommend you focus on the un-holding of your breath.
This will awaken the sub-conscious systems in your body.

The length of each ‘side’ doesn’t matter, as long as they’re the same.

Start with 3 seconds.

As you practice more, you can sustain each ‘side’ for longer.

Don’t underestimate how effective this is at reducing (or eliminating) anxiety at a deep level.