Lion's breath (Simhasana): a tension-releasing yoga breath
Lion's breath, or Simhasana, is a yoga breathing practice: inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale forcefully through a wide-open mouth with the tongue stretched down and a soft 'ha' sound. It is used to release tension in the face, jaw and chest, and as a playful way to shake off stress. Direct research is minimal, so treat it as a traditional practice rather than a proven remedy.
It looks and feels a little silly - that is part of the point. A few rounds release facial and jaw tension and break a tense mood. There is little formal research, so we frame it as tradition.
The rhythm
| Phase | Seconds |
|---|---|
| Inhale | 4s |
| Exhale | 4s |
A full inhale through the nose, then a strong, complete exhale through an open mouth. The count is loose - the forceful "ha" exhale is the point.
How to do it
- Sit comfortably and inhaleA full breath in through the nose.
- Open wide and exhale hardOpen your mouth, stretch your tongue down toward your chin, and breathe out forcefully with a soft "ha" sound.
- Relax, then repeatLet the face soften. Two to four rounds is plenty.
Common uses
- Releasing tension in the jaw, face and throat.
- Shaking off a tense or self-conscious mood.
- A quick, playful reset - sometimes used before speaking or performing.
What the evidence suggests
Lion's breath comes from hatha yoga, where it is used to release facial and throat tension. Direct scientific research on Simhasana specifically is minimal; a narrative review of yoga breathing describes such practices as traditional rather than clinically proven. The forceful exhale may simply help release muscular tension and interrupt a tense state.[1]
Safety
Gentle for most people - it is a single strong exhale, not sustained fast breathing. Go easy if you have jaw (TMJ) pain, and skip the tongue stretch if it is uncomfortable. Do it seated rather than standing.
Beginner version
Do it somewhere private the first time. One relaxed round - inhale, open mouth, soft "ha" - is enough to get the feel of it.
How BreathMate implements it
Lion's breath is a short, standalone release rather than a paced session, so BreathMate does not run it as a timed pattern. For an ongoing calm rhythm afterwards, a gentle guided session pairs well with it.
Sources
- Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence - Saoji AA, Raghavendra BR, Manjunath NK, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2019). doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.008
This is general wellbeing information compiled by our editorial team, not medical advice.