A man asks Belleruth if it is necessary to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth while listening to guided imagery, in order for it to have a positive impact.. Dear Belleruth,
I''ve read that for stress one should breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Is breathing out through the mouth necessary for a positive effect in guided imagery?

Walter A.



No, Walter, it''s not.

What you describe is one specific kind of yogic breathing that some people like to practice. Other''s find it annoying and distracting. And there are many other variations on this, such as pinching alternate nostrils while breathing in and out, and much more.

Bottom line: It''s your call which, if any, breathing techniques you use, but it''s absolutely not necessary for results, of that I''m certain!