Daniela guides easy belly breathing with a hand resting on your belly, thumb near the navel. On each inhale, bring the breath all the way down to your hand so the belly rises or moves outward, and on the exhale the hand moves back in. She calls it a soft Buddha belly, and says this diaphragmatic breathing sets you up to go into your interior world.
'Bring the inhale all the way to your hand so you feel your belly rise.'
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Questions people ask
How do I do belly breathing before meditation?
Keep your face soft and casually place a hand on your belly, with your thumb on the navel and your palm just below it. On each inhale, bring the breath all the way down to your hand, so the belly rises if you are lying down or moves outward if you are seated. On the exhale, the hand moves back in.
What is diaphragmatic breathing?
Daniela explains that this belly breathing is also called diaphragmatic breathing. She links it to the parasympathetic nervous system, a state of rest and relaxation. She invites you to soften the belly like a Buddha belly as you breathe, and she says this sets you up to go into your interior world.
Where does belly breathing fit in a meditation practice?
It is the last step of SSFB, the 4-step preparation Daniela teaches in Lesson 3 of the Effortless Meditation Course: Shake, Settle, Face, Belly. After a few easy belly breaths you move into your meditation. How to Prepare for Meditation explains each step.