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BREATHING AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES BY YOUTH COACHES OF EMOCARE
- May 25, 2025
- Posted by: SEETHALAKSHMI SIVAKUMAR
- Category: PSYCHOLOGY

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Understanding the Role of Breathing Exercises
Breathing and relaxation exercises are integral components in the realm of counseling. These techniques provide a foundation for clients to alleviate stress and achieve mindfulness. By engaging in conscious breathing, individuals can enhance their emotional regulation and create a safe space for introspection.
Benefits of Relaxation Techniques
Incorporating relaxation techniques into counseling sessions can lead to significant improvements in a client’s overall well-being. For instance, these exercises help combat anxiety by lowering cortisol levels in the body. When clients practice deep breathing, they stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces tension.
Enhancing the Counseling Experience
Furthermore, breathing and relaxation exercises can deepen the counseling experience by fostering a greater connection between the client and therapist. These techniques encourage clients to become more present, ultimately facilitating better communication and understanding. As a result, clients find it easier to express their feelings and navigate challenging conversations.
In summary, integrating breathing and relaxation exercises in counseling not only offers immediate stress relief but also enhances emotional insight. By prioritizing these practices, both clients and therapists can work towards a more productive and fulfilling counseling journey.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, anxiety, and physical tension have become all too common. Fortunately, there are simple, accessible, and effective practices that can help you cultivate calm, enhance focus, and boost overall well-being. This comprehensive guide covers a range of relaxation and breathing techniques that are easy to learn and highly effective.
1. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) – by Rasika K, Certified Youth Coach
What It Is: Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a deep relaxation technique developed by Dr. Edmund Jacobson in the early 20th century. It involves systematically tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body to promote physical and mental calm.
How to Do It:
- Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down.
- Starting at your feet, tense the muscles tightly for 5-10 seconds.
- Release the tension and notice the difference in how your muscles feel.
- Progress upward through your body: legs, abdomen, chest, arms, neck, and face.
Benefits:
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Enhances body awareness
- Improves sleep quality
- Lowers blood pressure
2. Autogenic Training (Autogenic Relaxation) – Ms. Madhumita R, Certified youth coach
What It Is: Autogenic training is a relaxation technique that uses self-suggestion and passive concentration to promote a sense of calm. Developed by Johannes Heinrich Schultz, it helps regulate bodily functions and reduce stress.
How to Do It:
- Sit or lie in a quiet place.
- Mentally repeat phrases like “My arms are heavy and warm” or “My heartbeat is calm and regular.”
- Focus on these sensations for several minutes.
- Progress through other areas of the body (legs, breathing, abdominal warmth, etc.).
Benefits:
- Promotes self-regulation of stress
- Calms the nervous system
- Improves concentration
- Supports emotional stability
3. One-Minute Mindfulness – M.Sri Mathi, Certified youth coach
What It Is: One-minute mindfulness is a quick and accessible practice that brings your full attention to the present moment, even if only for 60 seconds.
How to Do It:
- Pause whatever you’re doing.
- Take a deep breath and focus on the sensation of breathing.
- Observe your thoughts, bodily sensations, or the environment without judgment.
Benefits:
- Reduces impulsive reactions
- Enhances focus and mental clarity
- Builds emotional resilience
- Can be practiced anywhere
4. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) – Ms. Aswini, Certified youth coach
What It Is: Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, is a yogic technique that balances the body’s energy channels (nadis) and soothes the nervous system.
How to Do It:
- Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
- Use your right thumb to close your right nostril and inhale through the left.
- Close the left nostril with your ring finger, release the right nostril, and exhale through it.
- Inhale through the right, close it, and exhale through the left.
- Continue for 5-10 minutes.
Benefits:
- Balances both brain hemispheres
- Calms the mind and body
- Enhances respiratory function
- Promotes emotional stability
5. Paced Breathing Technique – R.Arthi, Certified Youth Coach
What It Is: Paced breathing involves consciously slowing your breathing rate to promote relaxation. It is often used in cognitive behavioral therapy and stress management.
How to Do It:
- Inhale slowly for a count of 4-6 seconds.
- Exhale slowly for 6-8 seconds.
- Maintain this rhythm for 5-10 minutes.
Benefits:
- Regulates heart rate variability
- Reduces anxiety and panic symptoms
- Supports mindfulness and self-regulation
- Improves oxygen efficiency
6. Box Breathing Technique – Ms. S.Hemamalini , Certified youth coach
What It Is: Box breathing, also known as four-square breathing, is a simple but powerful technique used by Navy SEALs and athletes to improve performance and reduce stress.
How to Do It:
- Inhale for 4 counts.
- Hold the breath for 4 counts.
- Exhale for 4 counts.
- Hold the breath out for 4 counts.
- Repeat for several rounds.
Benefits:
- Sharpens focus
- Enhances lung capacity
- Calms the nervous system
- Improves emotional control
7. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing)-Ms. N.Nandhini, Certified Youth coach
What It Is: Diaphragmatic breathing engages the diaphragm to draw deep breaths into the lungs, encouraging relaxation and optimal oxygen exchange.
How to Do It:
- Sit or lie comfortably.
- Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
- Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding the belly.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting the belly fall.
- Continue for several minutes.
Benefits:
- Improves respiratory efficiency
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Enhances parasympathetic nervous system activity
- Lowers blood pressure
8. Pursed Lip Breathing –
What It Is: Pursed lip breathing is a technique that slows the breath and keeps airways open longer, often used for those with chronic lung conditions.
How to Do It:
- Inhale through the nose for 2 seconds.
- Purse your lips as if blowing out a candle.
- Exhale slowly through the pursed lips for 4 seconds.
Benefits:
- Increases airflow
- Helps people with COPD and asthma
- Promotes calm during shortness of breath
- Improves oxygenation
9. Humming Bee Breathing (Bhramari Pranayama) – Ms. Harini , Certified youth coach
What It Is: Bhramari Pranayama, or humming bee breath, uses a gentle humming sound to calm the mind and nervous system.
How to Do It:
- Sit in a quiet place.
- Inhale deeply through the nose.
- Exhale while making a soft humming sound like a bee.
- Optional: Use your fingers to close your ears and eyes.
Benefits:
- Reduces tension and anxiety
- Promotes deep relaxation
- Improves voice and throat health
- Enhances focus
10. Sitali Pranayama by Ms. Sowndharya.R, Certified youth coach
What It Is: Sitali is a cooling breathing technique from yogic tradition, ideal for reducing heat and calming the mind.
How to Do It:
- Roll your tongue into a tube shape.
- Inhale through the rolled tongue.
- Close your mouth and exhale through your nose.
Benefits:
- Cools the body
- Reduces anger and agitation
- Aids in digestion
- Balances body temperature during summer
11. 4-4-8 Breathing Technique – by Ms.P.B.Anjana, Certified Youth coach
What It Is: The 4-4-8 breathing method involves a longer exhalation to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and induce calm.
How to Do It:
- Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold the breath for 4 seconds.
- Exhale through the mouth for 8 seconds.
- Repeat for 5-10 minutes.
Benefits:
- Eases anxiety
- Helps with sleep
- Stabilizes emotions
- Trains the body to relax quickly
12.Body Scan Meditation (Systematic Body relaxation exercise) – By Ms. N.Monika Sri, Certified youth Coach
Body scan meditation involves mentally scanning your body for tension, discomfort, or sensation. Unlike other practices that may focus on the breath or a mantra, body scan encourages non-judgmental awareness of the physical self.
✅ Benefits of Body Scan Meditation
-
Reduces stress and anxiety
- Improves sleep quality
- Increases body awareness
- Enhances relaxation
- Helps in pain management
- Promotes emotional regulation
Final Thoughts
Each of these techniques offers a unique path to achieving greater calm, emotional regulation, and physical wellness. Whether you have just one minute or a full hour, integrating these practices into your daily routine can bring profound benefits. Start small, stay consistent, and observe the transformation in your mental and physical health.