Lock breathing
In this exercise, I hold my breath while contracting particular muscles. The exercise leads to blood flow restriction when the muscles contract and boosts circulation when the muscles relax.
How I exercise ‘locking’ combined with breath-hold:
Directives:
- I sit comfortably with a straight back, relax my tongue and jaw, and close my eyes.
- Reset my breathing if needed.
- Breathe, as in 3-part breathing, exclusively through the nose.
Throat Lock:
- Inhale fully in 3 parts.
- Exhale deeply in 3 parts until my diaphragm returns to its neutral dome shape.
- Bend my neck forward, tuck my chin, and move it toward my chest so it rests on the center of my collarbone.
- Simulate a swallow.
- Hold my breath until I gently reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
- Repeat for a few rounds.
Stomach lock:
- Inhale fully in 3-parts.
- Exhale deeply in 3 parts, pulling my stomach back toward my spine and then lifting it towards my lower ribs.
- Hold my breath until I gently reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
- Repeat for a few rounds.
Anal (root) lock:
- Inhale fully in 3-parts.
- Exhale deeply in 3 parts until my diaphragm returns to its neutral dome shape.
- Contract my anal muscles.
- Hold my breath until I gently reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
- Repeat for a few rounds.
Combining all three locks
After exercising the three locks separately, I combine all three to form a separate exercise. Many different ‘rebirthing’ techniques are available nowadays and have gained popularity. I like to use combined locking for a ‘rebirthing’ experience.
As I complete the exhale and make all three locks, I visualize I’m in my mother’s womb. At first, it feels very comfortable and secure, but after some time, I experience the discomfort caused by air-hunger. I hold a bit beyond air hunger start, and then as I inhale following the locking, I imagine taking my first air draw, just like I did right after birth. I then complete a few breathing cycles with no breath-holds.