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If you could only do one yoga practice throughout your life, Golden Thread Breath is it. This simple breath technique can be used during menstruation, pregnancy and labor, perimenopause, or any other challenging, transitional period in your life. Not only does this practice promote rest and relaxation, it also helps you disconnect from pain and discomfort. I’ve used it to manage pain from menstrual cramps, PMS mood swings, and nausea in early pregnancy. I relied on an iteration of Golden Thread Breath during labor and delivery and always turn to my extended exhalations when I’m feeling ill, anxious, or uncomfortable.
How to practice Golden Thread Breath
To practice, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Keep the face and jaw muscles as relaxed as possible throughout the whole practice. Before beginning, give your face and jaw a little massage to loosen up.
While exhaling through the mouth, imagine a golden thread unspooling from your lips. Keep your attention at the end of the thread and allow it to travel far away from your body. At the end of your exhale, inhale again and repeat as many times as you like.
Benefits of Golden Thread Breath
Golden Thread Breath can:
Relieve pain from menstrual cramps, labor and delivery
Relieve nausea in pregnancy
Promote postpartum healing
Relieve anxiety
Alleviate strong emotions in PMS or perimenopause
Promote feelings of relaxation, clarity, and peace
Try out this practice and let me know in the comments how it makes you feel!
The only breath practice you need