Lion's breath is a powerful and expressive breathing technique from the yoga tradition that not only releases tension but also helps you connect with your inner strength. It's a moment of playfulness and surrender, where you literally give yourself air. And the best part is: anyone can do it.
What is it exactly?
It might look a bit strange, but that's precisely the intention: it helps you not take yourself so seriously, relax your facial muscles, and release mental tension. Many yoga schools use this technique to release blockages in the throat area. This is where communication, self-expression, and authenticity converge – also known as the throat chakra (Vishuddha).
How do you perform lion's breath?
The great thing is that you don't need any yoga experience to try this breathing exercise. All you need is a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Here's how to do it:
- Sit in a comfortable sitting position, such as Hero Pose (Virasana) with your buttocks resting on your heels.
- Place your hands firmly on your knees and spread your fingers wide, as if you were making claws.
- Breathe in deeply through your nose.
- As you exhale, open your mouth wide, stick your tongue out wide, and exhale forcefully with an audible "ha" sound.
- As you exhale, look at the point between your eyebrows or the tip of your nose.
- Relax your face and breathe in calmly again. Repeat this 3 to 5 times.
Want to take a closer look at it first? This video shows you exactly how.
The benefits of lion's breath
Lion's breath might seem like a strange exercise at first, but its effects are surprisingly profound. Here are some of the most commonly reported benefits:
Release stress and tension
The powerful exhalation helps release tension built up in the face, jaw, and shoulders. Many people experience an immediate sense of relief and relaxation.
Expression and liberation
It invites you to express yourself—unfiltered. It's a playful yet powerful way to release trapped emotions. Perfect after a long workday or when you find yourself "in your head."
Stimulation of the throat chakra
This breathing exercise activates the area around the throat, supporting the energy of the throat chakra. It helps you speak more freely, express yourself honestly, and confidently share your truth.
Improved focus
By focusing fully on the present moment, this breathing exercise helps you step out of your thoughts and into your body. It's an excellent way to start or end a yoga session.
When do you integrate lion's breath into your practice?
There are different times when you can use lion's breath. What's right for you depends on your intention and what you need at that moment.
- At the beginning of your practice : to release tension and start your session with an open energy.
- During an intense pose : to breathe through resistance and mentally let go.
- To conclude your practice : to literally breathe out any emotions or energies that have been released.
The beauty is: you don't have to limit it to the mat. This breathing exercise can create a surprising amount of space, especially in everyday life. It can be helpful before an important conversation, when you have to give a presentation, or when you feel the need to let go of something you've been holding in for too long. Even after a busy day when you notice your jaw tense and your shoulders hunched, this exercise has a liberating effect. Sometimes it's simply a way to return to yourself. A little shake, a breath, a roar… and then you're back.
Yoga is not always silent
We often associate yoga with silence and gentleness—and that's beautiful. But sometimes sound is also allowed. Movement. Expression. Lion's breath shows that there's room for everything that lives within you, even the raw, the unpolished. It's an invitation to allow yourself to be fully—without judgment. Through a simple breathing exercise, you come closer to your body, your feelings, your voice. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.
