How to do Belly Breathing
Have you ever watched a baby’s or a puppy’s belly while sleeping? It fills with air as they breathe in. Put your hand on your belly and practice making your hand move in and out.
Lie down and focus on your breathing. Try to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This is the start of abdominal or “belly” breathing. Put your hand on your belly and allow it to rise and fall every time you breathe. Look down and watch your hand rise as you breathe in (inhale) and as it settles back down as you breathe out (exhale).
Once you have mastered belly breathing, close your eyes and try another technique such as Guided Imagery. When you belly breathe your body realizes that it’s okay to relax and that your body is in a state of comfort and ready to address pain.