10:01

Three Part Breath

by Katia Tallarico

Rated
4.7
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
6.5k

The three-part breath, also known as complete breathing, is slow and deep breathing utilizing the whole lung to increase the oxygen supply which, in turn, decreases stress and anxiety levels. Shallow breathing, also known as chest breathing, is when air only enters the upper portion of the lungs- this ineffective breath is what is most common today. Learning to breath deeply not only expands your lung capacity and decreases stress, it also helps you develop a relaxed state of awareness. Note: Please take a moment to wipe or wash your hands before you begin.

BreathingBody ScanRelaxationMindfulnessAwarenessStressAnxietyThree Part BreathingTension ReleaseMind WanderingSound AwarenessBreathing AwarenessHand PositionsPostures

Transcript

Hello and welcome.

I'm so glad you've taken this time for yourself.

Now let's begin by finding a comfortable seat.

If you're on the floor,

Cross your legs or sit symmetrically.

If you're on a chair,

Uncross your legs and plant your feet firmly into the ground.

Either way,

Adjust so that your seat and your back feel well supported.

Gently rest your hands on your legs,

Palms facing up,

Open to receiving grace.

You have arrived.

Take a deep breath in and exhale the breath.

Now sit peacefully enjoying the stillness in your body.

Our body has the innate capability of restoring itself to its optimal setting and functioning.

However,

The healing and reparations take place only when we are most relaxed or asleep.

The three-part breath offers an opportunity to calm the mind and the body,

Bringing the mind to the present moment and offering the body an increased oxygen supply which helps reduce stress and anxiety and encourages deep relaxation and restoration.

Notice your own body today.

Are you holding on to any tension?

Are there any areas in your body that typically hold tension?

Invite your body to relax.

Imagine areas of tension receiving the message to simply relax.

We'll now move forward by establishing a focal point on the body.

Using your dominant hand,

Raise your thumb and index finger to your mouth.

Place the pads of these two fingers on the inside of your bottom lip,

Generously wetting the pads of these fingers.

Now place the thumb on the tip of one nostril and the index finger on the tip of the other,

Wetting the flesh of your nostrils openings.

Release and breathe in through your nose,

Noticing the sensation of cool air running past your nostrils.

Exhale.

Let's repeat that.

Generously wet the pads of your thumb and index fingers with saliva from your bottom lip and immediately transfer this moisture to the tips of your nostrils.

Inhale through your nose and notice the air rushing in.

Exhale.

These rings at the tip of your nose are now the focal point for this sitting.

With each breath,

Notice the air from the moment it enters your body.

Should your attention wander,

Come back to the beginning of your next breath.

Come back to this entry point.

In fact,

Anytime we wish to come back to the present moment,

Even outside of this activity,

To perhaps put an end or give a break to a busy mind,

We can pinch our nose or we can imagine the entry point of our next breath.

Place both your hands back to your legs,

Palms open to grace,

And perhaps you invite your eyelids to rest closed.

Now to identify the three parts of the breath.

Place your hands on your belly.

This corresponds to the bottom of your lungs.

Slide your hands up to your ribcage.

This corresponds to the middle section of your lungs.

Slide your hands up to your collarbones corresponding with the top of your lungs.

And now replace your hands back to your legs,

Palms facing up.

Take in a deep breath,

Following the breath entering your nose and imagining this breath reaching the depths of your lungs that rest just above your belly.

Breathe in a bit more until the middle of your lungs corresponding with your ribcage is full,

And finally a bit more breath to fill the top of your lungs that reach just below your collarbones.

Hold and now exhale through the nose,

The air seeping out from the top of your lungs,

Releasing from the middle section,

And then release all the air from the bottom of your lungs.

Hold.

This is the three part breath.

Let's start again.

Begin to inhale and follow the breath as it travels to fill the bottom of your lungs,

The middle of your lungs,

Noticing your ribcage expand to receive the breath.

And now fill up to the top of your lungs,

All the way to the collarbone.

Hold and exhale releasing from the collarbone,

Releasing from the ribcage,

Releasing all the air at the bottom of your lungs.

Hold.

And again,

Let's inhale in three parts,

Watching the belly expand to receive the breath at the bottom of the lungs,

Expand your side seams to receive the breath in the middle part of the lungs,

Notice your chest raise as you fill up to the top.

Once you've reached capacity,

Hold and then gently allow the air to seep out from the top,

The middle,

And the bottom of the lungs.

Squeeze all the air out and hold.

Continue repeating this cycle at a pace that works well for you while I continue to give a bit more of instruction.

With each inhalation,

Try to take in a bit more breath.

With each exhalation,

Try to match the length of the inhalation so that equal parts of breath are going in and going out.

Try your best to stay with the breath,

Try to stay with the three parts,

But if you notice your mind has wandered,

Don't be hard on yourself.

That's just its tendency.

Just go back to the beginning,

Back to the nostrils,

Follow the breath into the lungs.

You'll do this for a few minutes and I'll chime back in to close this experience.

At the end of your next exhalation,

Release the exercise and sit with your natural breath,

Keeping your eyes closed.

Begin to scan your body from top to bottom,

Noticing any changes.

Perhaps some tension has released.

Bring your attention now to your seat and to the room you occupy,

Noticing any ambient sounds.

Keep your toes a little wiggle,

Move your fingers,

And when you're ready,

Gently allow your eyes to open.

Raise the corners of your lips up towards your cheeks.

You're smiling.

Well done.

Thank you for dedicating this time to you and your body.

I hope this relaxed feeling carries on with you through the rest of your day or into your sleep.

Wishing you love and peace.

Bye for now.

Meet your Teacher

Katia TallaricoNew York, NY, USA

4.7 (492)

Recent Reviews

David

December 10, 2025

The three part breathing technique was different yet it was very relaxing.

Thomas

July 8, 2025

Very helpful in relieving stress, thank you 🙏🏻

Emzy

March 12, 2020

I like the music used for this meditation practice. It works well with the breathing. Thank you!

Marcel

March 10, 2019

Thank you for a wonderful session.

Justine

January 24, 2019

Absolutely beautiful, so relaxing and empowering too. Thank you so much

Chris

January 4, 2019

Clear and concise instructions for quick access to breath and body awareness, unplug from the busy world and a have quick dip into bliss. Thankyou Chris

Mario

January 2, 2019

A really well instructed session. Thank you so much. Feeling calm and blessed.

Nikki

December 22, 2018

Wonderful exercise, it would be great if you could make the instructions more succinct, especially for the second and third rounds of the three part breath, as otherwise it could be longer than people's breathing rhythms and also be a bit distracting. But thank you for a great meditation !

Kellie

December 5, 2018

It was a little fast at first but I kinda liked it :)

Andrea

December 3, 2018

A relaxing break for a new mom! This was perfect to listen to and just short enough. I was even able to practice while feeding my son. The breathing kept me relaxed which made him relax even more deeply. Beautiful!

Gauri

December 2, 2018

I’ve now done this breath meditation 4 times and each time I relax more deeply & comfortably into the 3 part breathing, not easy for me as I have asthma. Katia’s instructions are gentle, clear & kind and I love the background music that mimics breathing. Well done.

Alex

December 1, 2018

Well done, thanks!

Lars

November 28, 2018

Great soundtrack!

Janie

November 28, 2018

That was so nice and relaxing. Nothing better then that first cup of coffee in the morning followed by this peaceful meditation ..

Jessie

November 28, 2018

Great 10 min breathing exercise

Sage

November 28, 2018

Very useful breathing instruction! My partner and I had no trouble with your speech pace and found the wetted nostrils to be extremely effective. I’m clear one wouldn’t have to do this every time. He points out it would be a great tool to get a panicky person to focus on breathe.

°°°°*°°°°

November 28, 2018

Lovely, thank you so very much. Wishing you love and peace as well 🌟🙏

Terry

November 27, 2018

Lovely relaxing expiernce. Just feel the pace of your voice could of been slower as seemed a bit rushed. Love and peace straight back at you . Namesta

Angelina

November 27, 2018

Incredibly relaxing :)

Dawn

November 27, 2018

Deeply relaxing—the breath exercise combined with the perfect music created a sense of deep calm. Thank you so much—bookmarked for frequent use. ❤️🙏🏻

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© 2026 Katia Tallarico. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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