Another term for breathing meditation is mindful breathing. It is one of the most basic forms of meditation, and it ultimately enables you to consciously influence your breathing in daily life. Breathing meditation is focused on how deep you breathe, how often you breathe, and the parts of your body that are reached by your breath. Below is a simple exercise that can help you get started with mindful breathing.
The first step is to find a quiet place where you can meditate in peace. The best position for this type of meditation is seated in a chair or on the floor. Make sure you maintain an upright and comfortable posture throughout the exercise.
Just breathe through your nose. Notice the length of your breaths, and where they are going within your body. Are you breathing through your abdomen or your chest? Do you feel your breaths pass your nostrils and your throat?
Stay focused on the sensations that are caused by your breathing, and keep your mind from wandering. It is important to immediately return focus to your breath when you catch yourself lost in thought.
After a while, distracting thoughts will begin to subside, and your mind becomes clear. As you experience a sense of inner peace, stress dissipates, and your body relaxes.