Intermediate

Breath of Fire

Rapid rhythmic breathing from the navel. Short, powerful exhales with passive inhales. Energizing and detoxifying.

Breath of Fire

4-0-4-0

How to Practice

Sit cross-legged or in a chair with your spine tall. Rest your hands on your knees. The breath pumps from your belly — your chest barely moves. Inhale halfway through the nose. Then begin rapid, forceful exhales through the nose by sharply pulling the belly button inward toward the spine. The inhale happens passively between exhales — do not control it. Each exhale is quick and active, each inhale is soft and automatic. Aim for 2-3 breaths per second. Start with 30 seconds. Rest. Build to 1-3 minutes per round, 2-3 rounds total. Between rounds, breathe normally and notice the change in body state.

Tips

Focus on the exhale only. The inhale takes care of itself.
Keep the shoulders and chest still — the work is entirely in the abdomen.
Start short and build. Three rounds of 30 seconds is plenty for your first week.
If you feel dizzy, stop and breathe normally. This is over-breathing, not practice.
Best practiced first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Safety Notes

  • • Avoid if pregnant, menstruating heavily, or with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • • Not suitable during or immediately after meals.
  • • Stop if you experience hand or face cramping — this is respiratory alkalosis.

About This Practice

Rapid rhythmic breathing from the navel. Short, powerful exhales with passive inhales. Energizing and detoxifying.

How to Practice

Sit cross-legged or in a chair with your spine tall. Rest your hands on your knees. The breath pumps from your belly — your chest barely moves. Inhale halfway through the nose. Then begin rapid, forceful exhales through the nose by sharply pulling the belly button inward toward the spine. The inhale happens passively between exhales — do not control it. Each exhale is quick and active, each inhale is soft and automatic. Aim for 2-3 breaths per second. Start with 30 seconds. Rest. Build to 1-3 minutes per round, 2-3 rounds total. Between rounds, breathe normally and notice the change in body state.

Tips

Focus on the exhale only. The inhale takes care of itself.
Keep the shoulders and chest still — the work is entirely in the abdomen.
Start short and build. Three rounds of 30 seconds is plenty for your first week.
If you feel dizzy, stop and breathe normally. This is over-breathing, not practice.
Best practiced first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Precautions

Avoid if pregnant, menstruating heavily, or with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Not suitable during or immediately after meals.
Stop if you experience hand or face cramping — this is respiratory alkalosis.