Deep Yawning Exercise
Materials Needed
Feeling
Threatened
How to Do It
Sit or stand comfortably and perform a deep yawn. Repeat several times, allowing your body to fully relax with each yawn.
Why It Works
Yawning helps release tension in the body and promotes relaxation, which can alleviate the feeling of being threatened.
Guided Practice
Find a comfortable place where you can sit quietly. Take a few deep breaths, letting your awareness settle into your heart center. Feel into the rhythm of your breath and imagine a gentle warmth spreading from your heart, softening and expanding as you breathe.
Invite yourself to remain comfortably seated, noticing how each breath brings a sense of relaxation and clarity. Intentionally create a deep yawn, opening your mouth wide and stretching your jaw. Notice the sensation of the yawn — perhaps a stretch in your face and throat, a widening in your chest, or a release of tension in your body.
As you continue yawning, let each yawn become deeper and more relaxed, allowing your body to fully engage in the stretch. Feel the release that comes with each yawn, perhaps noticing a sense of relief, a relaxation spreading through your shoulders and neck, or a lightness in your head. Stay with these sensations, letting each yawn guide you deeper into relaxation. Notice if any feelings or memories emerge as you yawn — perhaps a sense of fatigue releasing, a feeling of ease, or even a sense of vulnerability. Allow these experiences to be present, without needing to analyze or change them.
Imagine each yawn as a wave of relaxation flowing through your body, helping to release any tension or stress. Feel your body softening with each wave, becoming more open and relaxed. Notice how the yawns bring a sense of refreshment, a clearing of your mind, and a softening of your body. Allow yourself to fully engage in this simple act of yawning, feeling how it naturally brings calm and clarity.
When you feel ready, gently close your mouth and return to normal breathing, taking a few deep breaths to settle into stillness. Notice how your body feels now — perhaps more relaxed, more open, or simply more aware of your breath and body. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of relaxation and ease with you into your day, feeling more refreshed and present.