Valve breathing

In this exercise, I slowly push air through my mouth, between my teeth, while making a hissing sound. The valve release exercise is meant to improve my ability to release unwanted thoughts and tension.

How I exercise ‘valve breathing’:

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, with nose inhales and mouth exhales.
  1. Inhale fully in 3 parts.
  2. Exhale deeply in 3 parts, pucker my lips while extending them out, leaving an opening to release the air through the gaps between my teeth.
  3. Hold my breath until I gently reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
  4. Repeat for a few rounds.

 The sound resembles the hissing sound produced during a gas leak or when depressing the valve stem of a car wheel.

I exhale monotonously, creating airflow resistance by limiting the air passage between my teeth. During this process, my abdominal muscles play a significant role in driving the last part of the exhale. The breath-hold serves as an indicator. If I exhale slowly enough and hold my breath, I should rapidly reach ‘air hunger start.’