Guided breathing

Slow down, one breath at a time.

Patterns from mindfulness, yoga, Daoist qigong, Zen, and modern calm focus practice. Set a session length and follow the orb. Hum or Om on exhale only if it feels easy.

A person seen from behind, sitting under a large tree beside a misty pond

4-7-8 breathing

Dr. Andrew Weil relax

In nose · Out mouth (whoosh)

A longer exhale ratio helps you feel calmer. Inhale for four, hold for seven, exhale slowly for eight.

4-7-8 counts · ~19s per cycle · 3 phasesStart session
A single misty peak rising above soft green hills at dawn

Triangle breathing

Three equal sides

In nose · Out mouth

Inhale, hold at the top, then exhale, each phase four counts. Simpler than box, still grounding.

4-4-4 counts · ~12s per cycle · 3 phasesStart session
Soft morning light on a desk by a window with a plant, glass of water and an empty chair

Easy breath

Two in, three out

In nose · Out mouth

The basics of being human: breathe in, breathe out. Two through your nose, three through your mouth. No holds, nothing to master.

2-3 counts · ~5.0s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
A mossy rock in raked sand with gentle circular lines

Zen kokyu

3-5 Zen sitting breath

Nose only

Kokyu (breath practice) in Zen: inhale for three counts, exhale for five, quiet nasal breathing often used in zazen to settle body and mind.

3-5 counts · ~8.0s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Soldier resting against a vehicle tyre, eyes closed, taking a slow box breath

Box breathing

Military / Navy SEAL calm

In nose · Out mouth

Equal four part breath used to steady nerves under pressure, often taught as box or square breathing and widely used by Navy SEALs and athletes. Inhale, hold, exhale, hold, each for four counts.

4-4-4-4 counts · ~16s per cycle · 4 phasesStart session
Lavender in warm light with a bee in the distance

Bhramari

4-6 humming bee breath

In nose · Out hum

From yoga pranayama: inhale for four counts, then exhale for six with a low, gentle hum (like a bee). Keep the hum soft so it soothes rather than strains.

4-6 counts · ~10s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Green hills mirrored perfectly in a calm lake

Anapanasati

6-6 Buddhist mindful breath

Nose only

From the Buddhist tradition of sati (mindful awareness): inhale for six counts, exhale for six, with attention on sensation at the nose or belly. No forcing, just steady presence.

6-6 counts · ~12s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Full moon over a quiet palm lined lagoon at night

Relaxing breath

Longer exhale

Nose only

Inhale for four counts, exhale for six. The extended out-breath signals your body to soften.

4-6 counts · ~10s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
A small outrigger boat resting on a golden evening bay

Sama vritti

4-4 yoga equal breath

Nose only

A classic pranayama pattern from yoga: inhale for four counts, exhale for four, to balance energy. Often taught before deeper pranayama work.

4-4 counts · ~8.0s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Smooth stones resting on moss beside a forest stream

Dantian breath

4-6 Daoist belly breath

Nose only

Inspired by Chinese qigong: inhale for four counts as the belly softens, then exhale for six and let the lower abdomen (dantian area) release.

4-6 counts · ~10s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Evening mist drifting through layered hills after sunset

Om breath

4-8 yoga pranayama

In nose · Out hum

A gentle yoga-style breath: inhale for four counts, exhale for eight. On the out-breath you can hum a soft Om if that feels natural (optional).

4-8 counts · ~12s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session
Slow, even waves rolling onto a soft beach at sunrise

Coherent breathing

~6 breaths per minute

Nose only

Smooth five-and-a-half second inhales and exhales, no holds, for a steady, even rhythm.

5.5-5.5 counts · ~11s per cycle · 2 phasesStart session

New to this? General breathing tips

When you feel a little softer, try a follow along routine or open a relief point and press gently.

Not medical advice. Stop if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, and breathe at a pace that feels safe for you.