Grounding through the breath: A simple way to release overwhelm

According to the yoga tradition, Prana Vayu is the current of energy that governs intake—this includes food, water, air, information, and sensory experiences. Sometimes, we take in more information than we can process, and our minds start to feel crowded or overstimulated. This can be a sign that Prana Vayu is too concentrated in the head.

To release this excess energy, we need to guide it downward—toward the belly, the energetic center of the body—and then gently discharge it into the earth. This can be done within a single breath cycle and repeated a few times for a more pronounced effect.

This simple technique is especially helpful in stressful moments—during air turbulence, in a doctor’s waiting room, after reading a distressing news story, or anytime you feel anxious or overwhelmed. Try this simple technique and see if it helps!