Head and Heart Breath
Before you begin
- This is a contemplative breathing practice, not medical software or treatment, and not a substitute for medical advice.
- Breathe gently and never strain. Whenever you need to breathe, breathe: the hold ends and you rejoin at the next inhalation. Stop if you feel dizzy, light-headed, tingling, anxious or uncomfortable, and breathe normally until it has settled.
- Do not practise while driving, operating machinery, or in or near water.
- If you have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition, epilepsy or fainting spells, are pregnant, or have a history of panic attacks or trauma that breathing work stirs up, check with your doctor first. The full list is below.
- The practice is gentle when done as described, and you take part at your own responsibility.
Who should check with a doctor first
- Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia, a recent heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or pulmonary hypertension
- A known aneurysm, or disease of the arteries supplying the brain
- Epilepsy, seizures or unexplained fainting
- Pregnancy
- Significant lung disease, such as COPD or poorly controlled asthma
- Panic disorder, PTSD or significant trauma, a history of psychosis or mania, a dissociative disorder, severe depression, or current severe psychological instability
- Regular opioids, benzodiazepines or other sedatives
- Regular psychiatric medication
- Recent surgery, any serious or unstable condition, or one in which focused breath control worsens symptoms
- Sleep apnoea, significant anaemia or sickle cell disease
- Glaucoma or raised eye pressure
- Age 65 or over
Off by default. Nothing is stored on your device unless you tick this. You can change it later on the start screen.
Contact