The Partner Breathing Exercise To Try Today For A Better Bond
Partner Breathing To Enhance Your Relationship
Partner breathing synchronized exercises are my favorite partner practices. You simply try to breathe at the same time as your partner. A synchronized breathing exercise can help you feel more connected to your partner, enhance your mood and create feelings of openness, gratitude, love, and peace.
During breathwork, you intentionally change your breathing pattern. When you engage in breathwork with a partner, you are willfully engaging in a practice that will strengthen your awareness of each other, enhance your relationship and strengthen your bond.
What Is Breathwork?
Breathwork is the use of breathing techniques and exercises to control breathing consciously. A regular breathing practice has numerous benefits for your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being but similar to other wellness strategies, it can help to have someone engage in the practice with you. Fortunately, breathing together has some specific benefits for your health and the health of your relationship.
The Exercise
Click here for the audio guided experience.
This practice is an easy and comfortable activity that offers loving, supportive contact. Let me guide you.
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Create a calming environment around you. I suggest dimming lights, lighting candles, and ensuring a comfortable room temperature. Agree upon what feels right for you and your partner.
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Find a comfortable space to sit, preferably on the floor. Use pillows, blankets, or mats to provide support where needed.
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Sit back-to-back with your partner. You can place your legs however is most comfortable for you.
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If it is comfortable for you, close your eyes. Alternatively, you can rest your gaze on an object in the room or on the flame of a candle.
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Sit quietly and focus on how your breath moves in and out of your body. Don't force it in any way. Allow your breath do what it does best.
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Place your right hand on your heart and your left hand on your belly. If you prefer to let your hand rest by your side or in your lap, you can do that too. I find that having your hands over your heart and belly can help you connect better with the breathing pattern.
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After focusing on your breath for several moments, begin to notice your partner's breathing. Explore the pace and pattern of their breath (long/short, shallow/deep, choppy/smooth, etc.) and perhaps where you feel it most strongly connecting to your body.
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Gradually synchronize your breath to your partner's breath. Notice how it feels to be breathing together.
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After a minute or so of breathing in sync, begin with a 5 :: 5 :: 7 breathing technique. You will slowly inhale through your nose for a count of 5, then hold your breath for a count of 5, then breathe out through your nose for a count of 7. Repeat 10 times.
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Focus your mind on your breathing and your partner's breathing. As you continue the breathing exercise, you will notice that you will become more relaxed. Tension will leave your body, and you will feel more connected with yourself and your partner.
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When you have completed 10 repetitions, remain seated. Be present in the moment and allow your mind to think of only being next to your partner. Allow your breath to disconnect from the synchronization and breathe normally. Be aware of your partner's presence. Awaken your senses to the space around you and reconnect with your body by moving your arms, legs or stretching your neck.
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Next, do what feels natural. You may want to discuss the experience with your partner. You may want to journal your experience or any emotions that came about. Do what feels good.
The Result = All The Feels
In addition to enhancing your relationship, partner breathing reduces stress, creates feelings of openness, love, peace, gratitude, clarity, communication, and connection. It helps to release mental, physical, and emotional blocks, manages mood, reduces stress and feelings of anxiousness. A consistent breathing practice can even improve your sleep and boost your immune system. What better way to show love for your partner and yourself than to engage in activities that will enhance health and wellness?
Bond Even More
In doing the last step of the partner breathing exercise, I recommend journaling as the perfect pairing to acknowledge the emotions that transpire.
Don't know where to start with journaling? My free Journaling Jump Starter PDF is here to help too. Click here to get started.