Sama Vritti Pranayama

Equal Breathing

Classical pranayama. Sama vritti means equal movement

BeginnerCalm & RelaxFocus

Brings you back into balance when the day has scattered you. In for four and out for four, both halves matched, which evens out the nervous system and is quiet enough to do at a desk without anyone noticing.

The rhythm

Breathe inBreathe out

How it goes

  1. 1Sit comfortably with a long spine, eyes closed or softly lowered.
  2. 2Breathe in through the nose for four counts.
  3. 3Breathe out through the nose for the same four counts.
  4. 4Keep both halves the same length. If one starts to stretch, shorten the count.

What it is for

Research

  • Paced breathing near this rate is associated with increased heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic balance.

Traditional use

  • Used in classical yoga as the preparation for longer pranayama, and as a practice in its own right.

Session length

The timing of each breath is the technique itself, so it is fixed. How long you sit for is yours.

Cycles1m 4s
8

Fixed by the technique

Sound

Background sound

Sama Vritti Pranayama

8 cycles · 1m 4s