Sighing
People sigh unconsciously to restore balance, express satisfaction, or due to several other emotions. There are many shades of sighing, but the two basic sighs are melancholic and exuberating. By sighing, I release, discharge, and provide myself comfort and balance.
In this exercise, I fake a sigh. It activates my breathing muscles in the same way that a spontaneous sigh does. I exercise both mouth and nose sighing.
How I exercise ‘mouth sighing’:
Directives:
- I stand with a straight back and close my eyes.
- Reset my breathing if needed.
- Breathe with nose inhales and mouth
- Inhale through my nose fully in 3 parts.
- Exhale through an open mouth while saying “Ahhhh” until my diaphragm returns to its neutral dome shape, and then exhale a bit further using my abdominal muscles.
- Repeat for a few rounds.
How I exercise ‘nose sighing’:
Directives:
- I stand with a straight back and close my eyes.
- Reset my breathing if needed.
- Breathe exclusively through the nose.
- Inhale fully in 3 parts.
- Exhale deeply through my nose, saying, “Ahhhh” with sealed lips until my diaphragm returns to its neutral dome shape.
- Repeat for a few rounds.
When I exercise sighing, I usually stretch out my arms to the side of my body and slowly lower them as I exhale the sigh. The way I sigh is exclusive to me and is a part of my breathing identity.