Coupled Breathing

Let’s explore a fundamental breathing technique practiced in Tantra this week…

Coupled breathing means that two partners breath together in harmony.  Specifically, you’ll both breathe in together and you’ll both exhale together.  The cool part is… you can practice this without your partner even knowing you’re doing it!

One person will breath normally, this person would be “leading” the practice.  The other partner, the “follower”, will then match the leader’s breathing pattern…inhaling when the “leader” inhales and exhaling when the “leader” exhales.

Often in heterosexual couples for the woman to breathe normally (or lead) and the man to follow her breathing.  And, please practice both leading and following and find what works best for you and your partner.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, you can practice coupled-breathing with a partner who doesn’t even know you are doing the practice.  Just let your partner “lead” and you follow his or her breath!

On thing to note is that sometimes our partner will breath much faster than we do, if that is the case, you might take one breath for every two of your partner’s breaths.  In this case, you would both inhale together, you partner would exhale once, inhale again, and then you would both exhale together.

Coupled breathing can harmonize your energies and help you both relax… 

So why would you want to do this?  First, coupled breathing can harmonize your energies and help you both relax, allowing both of you to be more present to any intimate experience you’re sharing.  In addition, as your breathing synchronizes you will almost automatically begin circulating energy between the two of you which in some cases can increase relaxation, arousal, or pleasure.  Finally, it’s a great practice for being very present to your partner… often when you match your partner’s breathing they will feel your presence more strongly or they may have a sense of being “met” without even realizing why.

You can practice coupled breathing anytime.  Practice it during a hug.  Practice it as you are falling asleep or waking up. Practice it during love making.  Practice it while cuddling on the sofa… practice it anytime!

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