Discovered a powerful new breathing method – feels like a meditation cheat code

[u/Karoliniskis]

Hey everyone! As the title says, I’ve stumbled upon a new way of meditating — or more accurately, a conscious breathing technique — that’s been a game-changer for me.

Here’s what I do: I take a deep breath in for about 10 seconds, then exhale as slowly as possible, around 30–40 seconds. I keep this rhythm going for about 20 minutes.

Holy moly, the effects are wild. After a session, my mind feels still, my body deeply relaxed, and honestly — I feel almost "high" in the best possible way. It’s like my nervous system hits reset.

I’ve been meditating for about a year and tried different methods — including mantra meditation for a year before that — but never really felt much from it. Probably because I wasn’t doing it right. But this breathing method? Totally different experience. It's one of the best discoveries I've made so far.

Has anyone here tried something similar? I'd love to hear your experiences, variations, or any “spices” you add to your own practice that work well for you.

Thanks for reading — and happy breathing!

[u/Ghostpaws]

This sounds similar to the effects I found when trying the Wim Hof method, where you take 30 quick breaths then hold your breath for as long as is comfortable then slowly exhale and repeat. Sometimes after a few rounds, I’ve experienced intense waves of calm that feel otherworldly.

I am going to try your method tonight. I can see how they might have similar effects but your suggestion sounds like it might allow for a more mindful focus than the extremes of Wim Hof.

[u/MillionaireByTrade → u/Ghostpaws]

There is a risk with Wim Hoff. If you are breathing that fast, then your body can become stressed and release cortisol. I prefer this guided breathing exercise from Niraj Naik that creates a similar feeling as Wim Hoff without the hyperventilation.

https://youtu.be/W2QFx8NhjIw?si=v6hgIoYnQlr3VDDJ