Say goodbye to tension in 5 quick steps

I am always on the lookout for new, old or unique ways to relax….

Most of the time, I look to relaxation techniques, herbs, teas, and music when I need to take the tension down a few notches.

Recently I was introduced to something called Mimchi Breathing, by my martial art colleague, Grandmaster Bob Martin. It is a powerful method you can do anywhere to help you relax your entire body by first building then releasing the tension.

If you’re having a bad day and need to reset yourself in a matter of minutes, this does the trick.

Follow along with Bob as he talks and then leads you through the method of Mimchi breathing.

Begin seated, and then raise your diaphragm to lift up your ribcage and breathe normally.

When he gives the cue to inhale, you will inhale through your nose. You will bring the air all the way down to the lowest parts of your lungs while pulling your stomach in. This is in reverse to how we normally breathe.

You will hold the breath for a few seconds, until he leads you to exhale. Bob will tell you to release, at which time you will open your mouth and exhale, letting your whole body relax in the process.

The basic exercise

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Ready: Raise your ribcage and breathe normally for a minute.
3. Inhale: Through your nose, bringing your stomach in toward your spine.
4. Hold this without letting your ribcage drop.
5. Release: Open your mouth and exhale quickly, allowing your whole body to relax at once.

Repeat this three times.

The variation

This time when you inhale Bob will tell you to squeeze your eyes shut tight. If you start to get dizzy you will ‘let go’ immediately. This is why this exercise is first done sitting down.

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Ready: Raise your ribcage and breathe normally for a minute.
3. Inhale: Through your nose, bringing your stomach in toward your spine.
4. Squeeze your eyes tight and hold this without letting your ribcage drop.
5. Release. Open your mouth and exhale quickly, allowing your whole body to relax at once.

Repeat this three times and see how your feel.