19:44

2 To 1 Breathing - 20 Minutes

by Mike Richards

Rated
4.8
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
1.5k

This simple meditation can help you enter a calm and serene state, lasting 20 minutes. As you exhale for twice as long as you inhale, you move away from the fight or flight mode and into the parasympathetic nervous system. Which should leave you feeling less stressed and more present. Adjust the counts in 2-1 breathing as you see fit to ensure your comfort. Stop if you feel discomfort, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

BreathingMeditationCalmParasympatheticStressPresenceBody AwarenessMindfulnessAwarenessPeaceEffortless ThinkingExtended Exhale BreathingParasympathetic Nervous SystemBreath ControlSound AwarenessBreath AnchorsInvitations To PeaceSerenityStates Of Mind

Transcript

In this session,

We'll be using the breath as an anchor.

And we'll work towards a situation where you are exhaling for twice as long as you inhale.

In doing so,

You'll help the body move away from the fight or flight mode,

Which can feel stressful and unpleasant,

And move you gradually towards the parasympathetic nervous system,

Or the rest and digest mode,

Which is where we feel much calmer,

Much more serene.

So just beginning,

Sat with a straight back,

And breathing in and out.

Feeling relaxed,

But alert if possible.

And just with the eyes still open,

Taking a few deep in breaths through the nose and then breathing out through the mouth.

Breathing in and out.

Filling the lungs and letting go.

And then just gently closing the eyes,

Closing the mouth as well.

And just breathing in and out of your nostrils for the remainder of the session.

Briefly check in with the state of your mind as you begin this session.

How does the mind feel right now?

Is it busy or agitated?

If so,

Maybe just accepting this.

This is how my mind feels right now,

And that's absolutely fine.

Okay.

Then just briefly moving into the body,

Noticing the connection between your feet and the ground,

Your legs and the chair that you're sitting in.

Also noticing the weight and the heaviness of your body.

And as gravity just gently pulls you down towards the ground.

Now moving away from the body and spending a bit of time just listening out for any sounds that might be present right now.

And then just dropping your focus on hearing and starting to become aware of the sensations related to your breathing.

And then just focusing on your breathing wherever you feel it most clearly and most strongly in the body.

So this could be at the chest or at the belly or at the nostrils.

And then just focusing on your breathing wherever you feel it most clearly and most strongly in the body.

So this could be at the chest or at the belly or at the nostrils.

Just go with the part of the body where it feels most natural for you where it feels most natural for you to follow your breathing And if the mind has wandered off as it so often tends to,

This is nothing to worry about.

Try not to get upset or frustrated.

Just gently revert your attention back towards your breathing.

And now if you can start to gently and comfortably control your breaths so you can feel the energy and the energy of your breaths.

So you want to be working towards a situation where you're exhaling for twice as long as you're inhaling.

To help you do this,

You could count in your mind up to three on the inhale and then counting to six on the exhale.

So.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Meet your Teacher

Mike RichardsLondon, UK

4.8 (116)

Recent Reviews

Michelle

December 2, 2023

Quiet gentle guidance. Carrying a sense of peace and calm into a very busy day. Thank you!

Steve

August 5, 2023

Just what the doctor ordered. Overwhelmed to chilled in 20 mins.

Barbara

August 3, 2023

Amazing meditation!

More from Mike Richards

Loading...

Related Meditations

Loading...

Related Teachers

Loading...
© 2026 Mike Richards. 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.

How can we help?

Sleep better
Reduce stress or anxiety
Meditation
Spirituality
Something else