Qigong "breath stretching"

This Qigong exercise is believed to enhance Heart and Lung function, and to strengthen the Fire element in your body.

In this breathing exercise, inhale for six seconds, hold your breath for three seconds, and then exhale for six seconds.

In more advanced versions of this exercise, you can try increasing the duration of each part of your breath cycle. For example, inhaling for eight seconds, holding for four seconds, and then exhaling for eight seconds.