Abadoning breath

‘Abandoning breath’ combines ‘diaphragmatic smile-breathing’ with a visualization of cold Air (blue vapor) entering my nostrils when I inhale and warm Air (red vapor) exiting my nostrils when I exhale. I use my mantra, “Peace and quiet,” to time my inhale and exhale. I repeatedly hold my breath until gently reaching the point of ‘air-hunger.’

I tend to engage my abdominal muscles towards the end of the diaphragmatic exhale. Once I complete the exhale, I monitor whether my abdominal muscles are fully relaxed. If they aren’t, I relax them.