Breath Meditation for Stuttering:

Research demonstrates that relaxation approaches, such as yoga or meditation, are potential treatment options of people who stutter (Balakrishnan, 2009).

Improper breathing patterns have been shown to be a contributing factor for stuttering (Kleinow & Smith, 2000). If you are a person who stutters, or a therapist treating someone who stutters, this meditation focuses on the visual and somatic awareness of the breath.

Breath Meditation for Stuttering:

Begin by finding a comfortable seat. Feel your weight settle onto the chair or ground below you. Bring awareness to your feet grounding on the floor. Release the grip of the hands. Roll the shoulders behind you and down the length of the back.

Close your eyes and feel the heaviness of your eyelids.

Allow the face to gently soften:

First, melting the skin across the forehead, relaxing the temples.

Soften the cheeks, relax the jaw.

Bring your attention to your breath. Notice the soft, smooth inhales and long, deep exhales. What does your breath feel like, sound like? What is its texture, its length?

Now, Imagine the breath as a white light radiating from the center of your body, expanding the space of the abdomen. Start to deepen your breath.

As the belly expands, the chest remains still and relaxed.

Being your hands to the lower abdomen over the navel. Breath slowly and deeply so your hands gently rise on the inhale, and fall on the exhale.

Breathe deep and low into the fullness of your hands.

 If you’re a visually oriented person, visualize you're a small boat drifting on the gentle sea of your breath. Imagine your torso is rising and falling like small waves.

Slowly, gently open your eyes and continue these deep waves of breath. Gently open your eyes.

After your meditation, practice speaking a few words or sentences aloud (alone or to a partner), keeping the rhythm and depth of the breath steady. Notice your speech muscles- is your neck loose? Jaw relaxed? Throat softened? Journal what changes you may notice. It may take consistent practice of this meditation for the full benefits to take place.

Our therapists at Reclaim guide our clients through personalized meditations and holistic care to compliment evidence-based treatments for Speech & Language therapy. Our therapy sessions always integrate emotional support, health and wellness coaching, opportunity to practice fine-tuning your communication, and speech pathology treatment.