After a hectic day, there’s nothing better than discovering a brief moment of peace to soothe your senses and settle your anxieties for which a basic breathing exercise might be really beneficial. Actor and mindfulness meditation instructor Shruti Seth shared a starfish breathing method on Instagram.
The CEO of Habuild, Saurabh Bothra, is also a certified yoga instructor who explained that starfish breathing is a combination of deep breathing and movement in which you “use your hands” to simulate the shape of a starfish.
“It is a simple mindfulness meditation technique. It is a great way to just center yourself and calm your nerves whenever you feel overwhelmed. More importantly, it is a great technique to teach your children how to become mindful and how to do very simple breathing exercises,” Seth stated in the clip.
Method
- Choose a hand to demonstrate the starfish. Spread your fingers wide and make this hand look like the elegant form of a starfish.
- As you breathe, carefully trace the shape of the starfish with the pointer finger of your other hand. As you inhale, start with your thumb and gently trace upward.
- With a calm, steady pace, trace downward along the inner side of your thumb as you exhale.
- Trace all five fingers until you’ve finished, which is equivalent to five breaths.
Maximize the benefits of this breathing exercise
Feeling the “subtle sensations of movement within your body” is one approach to completely benefit from this activity.
“This brings us back to the present moment, which is why it turns out to be extremely healing. You can find a moment before going to work or before going to sleep. No matter the time or place, the benefits are extremely soothing,” added Bothra.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only.
