Breathe in through the nose for a slow count f of 8. Hold for a count of 32. Breathe out through the nose for a slow count of 16. Continue for several minutes, with no pause after the exhale. Be free to experiment with rhythms what matters is settling into a soothing, calming flow. Rhythmic breathing is also great while walking (timed by your steps), running, biking, and most other forms of exercise.

Equal parts breath is also called Sama Vritti in Sanskrit and yoga practice, which translates to square breathing (equal on all sides, with four sides). To practice: Inhale for three counts and feel energized and rejuvenated by the breath, like spring.Hold for three counts at the top, reveling in the pregnant pause of summer.Exhale for three counts, as you let go like autumn leaves falling to the ground.And hold for three counts on empty, feeling the stillness of winter. Do at least five rounds of this but more if you need to, in a quiet space where you can steal 10 minutes away to yourself.

 ”Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out." After saying these sentences, we can abbreviate them by saying "In" as we breathe in, and "Out" as we breathe out. We don't try to control our breathing. Whether our in-breath is long or short, deep or shallow, we just breathe naturally and shine the light of mindfulness on it.

A steady, controlled breathing rhythm over a sustained period can have a calming, centring, and energizing effect for the breather.

This style of breathing exercise has been practised for centuries by shamans, meditators and layperson alike.

A very fine, short (though not shallow) breath exercise comes from the Chinese Tai Chi Chuan. In subtle ways, this exercise uses the body in leading the mind and spirit to greater openness with each other and the environment.

Here is a short video by the late Dr Andew Weil MD where he talks about the importance of breathwork. He is right!