Coherent Breathing

Meditation Library - LoveYourBrain

Led by Tracey Meyers

Coherent breathing is a form of breathing that involves slowing the entire cycle of breath down to about 5 breaths per minute. Our natural tendency is to breathe at a rate of two to three seconds per inhale and exhale. In coherent breathing, the goal is to extend the length of both the inhale and exhale to around 6 seconds. By breathing in and out more slowly, the body begins to find calm, balance, and stability activating the vagus nerve that helps turn on our relaxation response and reduce stress, anxiety, and a slow down a racing heart.

Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25 years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.