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Three slow, mindful breaths can shift the body from fight-or-flight into a calmer, rest-and-digest state.

Hearing loss creates ongoing communication stress, which can undermine effective self-advocacy.

Pausing to breathe before reacting helps you move from frustration to problem-solving.

Sweating in the hot yoga room, I work to hold the posture. I fall out, but try again. And again. It's a difficult practice, so struggle is normal and expected. The teacher reminds us to focus on our breath. While we can't control the heat or how long she holds the postures, we can control our response, helping us stay calm and focused amid the challenge.

Despite my discomfort, I try to breathe in and out slowly—four to six counts for my inhale, and four to six counts for my exhale. I call it my yoga breathing, and it helps me deal with stressful situations both on and off my mat—including the frustrations of living with hearing loss.

What Is Yoga Breathing?

When practicing yoga, the goal is to breathe in and out through the nose, keeping the length and depth of the inhale and exhale balanced. For example, if you breathe in for four counts, you breathe out for four counts. Keeping your mouth closed signals the body that all is well, allowing the nervous system to relax and........

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