Breathing exercise · 6 · 6
How to use Coherent 6-6 breathing for creative work, when you have been putting it off
A 6 · 6 rhythm — six and six, the slower end of coherent breathing.
Follow the circle. It counts for you.
How it works
Count 6 on the way in and 6 on the way out. Keep them the same length. You have been putting this off. Starting is the only step that matters. Stay with what you can actually feel.
Why it can help
Because the counts match, there is nothing to remember except "same speed both ways".
The pattern, in seconds
| Phase | Length | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Inhale | 6s | 0s |
| Exhale | 6s | 6s |
One round is 12 seconds. At the default 6 rounds this practice runs 72 seconds — about 1 minute — plus a breath or two of ordinary breathing between rounds.
Good for
- when you have five minutes and no idea where to start
- when you wake at 3am and the room feels too quiet
- when the afternoon has gone flat
Tips
- Keep your jaw loose. People clench it without noticing during holds.
- Sit upright. Your lungs work better when you are not folded in half.
- No holds means no buildup. The rhythm does all the work.
Please note
If holding your breath makes you dizzy or uncomfortable, skip the holds entirely and breathe slowly and evenly instead. Never push through lightheadedness. If you are pregnant, or manage a heart, blood pressure or lung condition, check with a doctor before doing breath holds.
If this rhythm does not suit you, try 3-6 breathing: 6 rounds for a break at work, when you are somewhere noisy, 5-2-7 breathing — 5 · 2 · 7 — for physical discomfort, when you have been meaning to start or Box breathing: 6 rounds for Monday morning, when you have been putting it off.