A Positive Path with Holly Lebowitz Rossi: Re-energize with the ‘Ha Breath’

I’m Holly Lebowitz Rossi, writer of the Guideposts blog, A Positive Path. Today I’ll show you an energizing breathing exercise called “Ha Breath.” We know that breathing in different ways can have a huge emotional impact. Ha breath is an energizer, a way to embody your ability to use breath to build and release energy.

While you can do this breath practice sitting or even lying down, it’s most powerful if you stand up with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent. Bend your elbows and hold your forearms parallel to the floor with your palms facing up. With an inhale, draw your hands toward your body, and then release both your breath and your hands with a strong, audible “Ha!”
Imagine that you’ve just washed your hands for the hundredth time today, but you’re all out of towels. Flick your hands away from your body on each exhale, as if you could dry them that way and feel the air fresh against your clean fingers and hands. “Ha!” Let your hands reinforce what you’re doing, energetically. Each time, pull in a deep, strong breath and then fling it away.

Make sure you let your exhale come quickly and audibly to make that sound, “Ha!” Your sound could be like “Uh-huh!”, as if you’re discovering something, maybe about yourself or it could be, “Ha!”, as in “this is fun!” or “I feel silly!” or it could just be that “Ha!” is a sound that means everything or nothing at all. Feel the power in your own breath to energetically and intentionally let things go.

To put some distance between yourself and any feelings that might be heavy or overwhelming to you right now. As you do this feel your energy building, filling in that space with a peaceful sense of refreshment. Practice 10 to 20 “Ha” breaths, to wake yourself up in the mornings, to get back on track on a lethargic day, or any time you need to remind yourself of the power you have to refresh and energize your body and mind. “Ha!” “Ha!” “Ha!” Wishing you energy and authentic positivity, today and every day.