Lion’s breath (or Simhasana)
How: Sit cross-legged, with your spine straight but relaxed. Place your palms down and rest them on the knees, or have them face outwards, with the backs of the hands set against the knees. Open your fingers wide, so they’re splayed like claws. Inhale deeply through the nose, and as you do, open your eyes wide. As you exhale, open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out, extending its tip towards your chin – while doing so, make a loud, quick, roar-like ‘ha’ sound and look at the point between the eyebrows, or at the tip of your nose. ‘Roar’ in this way two or three times, before re-crossing your legs with the other leg in front.
Benefits: Blowing off steam; waking up the face and relieving tension both here and in the chest.