When was the last time you felt the wind?
A breeze brushing your cheek, a mountain wind rustling the trees, or the cool air of a summer night—though invisible, wind is always there, gently calming us.

Our breath is much the same—an inner wind flowing within.
Just by taking a deep inhale and slowly exhaling, our mind and body begin to soften and release tension.

The Google Breathing Exercise is a simple tool that helps you quietly turn your awareness to this inner wind.
And if you ever wish to expand that calm moment into something more, the Gassho meditation app offers gentle guidance to do just that.

What Is the Google Breathing Exercise?

A 1-minute guided breathing tool you can start instantly, just by searching

The Google Breathing Exercise appears right inside your search results when you type in “breathing exercise” on Google.
All you do is breathe in sync with a pulsing circle on the screen.

There’s no app to install—just a smartphone or PC is enough to begin.
That’s the beauty of it: a simple, one-minute practice that gently brings your awareness back to your inner wind—your breath—and resets your state of mind.

Noticing Shallow Breathing

Have you ever caught yourself breathing shallowly—or even holding your breath—without realizing it?
I’ve noticed this myself during long hours in front of a computer or phone, shoulders tensed and breath barely moving.

Modern life tends to pull us into screens, where our breathing unconsciously becomes shallow.
Some people even stop breathing momentarily—a phenomenon known as screen apnea.

While a healthy adult typically breathes 12–20 times per minute at rest, it’s been observed that screen use often leads to faster, shallower breaths.
Over time, this can disrupt your autonomic nervous system, contributing to fatigue and that all-too-familiar screen burnout.

That’s why the Google Breathing Exercise is so effective: it offers a “one-minute deep breathing habit” that fits effortlessly into your day.

And if that one minute makes you want more time to center yourself, the Gassho meditation app is there to gently guide you into deeper calm—with short guided sessions and soothing bedtime practices.

The Science Behind One Minute of Deep Breathing

Even a single minute of slow, intentional breathing can have proven physiological benefits:

• Improved Heart Rate Variability (HRV): According to Stanford University’s Huberman Lab, one minute of paced breathing helps rebalance the autonomic nervous system.
  
• Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System: Deep, slow breathing reduces heart rate and blood pressure, bringing the mind to a calm, restorative state.
  
• Reduced Cortisol & Better Blood Pressure: Continued practice has been shown—through Harvard Medical publications—to lower stress hormones and support improved blood pressure levels.
  

This scientific foundation gives meaning to even the simplest practices, like the Google Breathing Exercise.

How to Use the Google Breathing Exercise

You can start anytime from your phone or computer. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Search
   
2. Type “breathing exercise”
   
3. Click “Start a 1-minute breathing exercise”
   
4. Breathe in and out following the circle on the screen
   
5. After it ends, close your eyes gently and listen to your breath
   

Just one minute can deepen your breath and help you take a small step back from the whirl of thought.

My Experience Trying It

I tried the Google Breathing Exercise myself.

As I followed the circle on the screen for a minute, I realized how rarely I truly breathe deeply.
The time passed quicker than I expected, and the visual guide made it easier to focus.

Did I feel a life-changing shift in just one minute? Honestly, no.
But I did realize the importance of building the habit.
It’s a simple, accessible way to start cultivating deeper breathing—and that’s a powerful first step.

A Zen Saying About Wind

Let me share a Zen phrase:
“The wind moves, the flag moves, the mind moves.”
Is it the flag that moves, or the wind? No—it is your mind that moves.

This teaching reminds us not to be caught up in outer events, but to notice the subtle shifts happening within.

A one-minute Google Breathing Exercise can be your first step toward that inner awareness.
And when you're ready to deepen that awareness, the Gassho app offers a quiet, supportive path.

When to Use the Gassho App

The Gassho app is perfect when you're ready to go beyond one minute and gently expand your “calm time.”
Here are a few recommended moments to use it:

• Right after waking: Spend five quiet minutes breathing mindfully before starting your day.
  
• During lunch breaks or commutes: When your body feels stiff or your mind needs a reset, use the app's guided sessions for a few deep breaths.
  
• Before bed: Wind down with deep breathing and short meditations to ease racing thoughts and promote restful sleep.
  

By combining breathwork and guided meditation into daily life, you create a natural path toward stress relief and emotional balance.

FAQ

Q1. What’s the difference between the Google Breathing Exercise and other breathing methods?

 A. The biggest difference is simplicity and duration. Many breathing techniques take several minutes or require a specific posture. But with the Google Breathing Exercise, you just search and start. The visual guide helps even complete beginners follow along. It’s a perfect entry point for those who want to “just breathe for one minute.”

Q2. Why is shallow breathing a problem?

 A. Shallow breathing limits oxygen intake and disrupts the balance of the autonomic nervous system. This can lead to fatigue, anxiety, poor focus, and sleep issues. If you unconsciously hold your breath (as in screen apnea), your brain gets less oxygen, which affects overall performance and well-being.

Q3. Who is the Gassho app best suited for?

 A. Gassho is perfect for beginners who feel curious about meditation but intimidated by long sessions. You can start with 5–10 minute guided practices that fit into your busy day. The app also offers relaxing audio for bedtime, making it a gentle way to ease into sleep. From “breath → awareness → inner calm,” Gassho guides you through the process—right from your phone.

Light as the Wind

The wind flows, sways, and brings stillness.
So does the breath.

When we notice our shallow, restless breathing and gently bring it back into balance, our hearts become peaceful too.

Next time you feel a little worn out, just type “breathing exercise” into Google and take a single minute to breathe.

And if you want to create more daily moments of calm, try a meditation session on the Gassho app.

▶︎ Learn more about Gassho: [Visit the Gassho Website]

Here’s to living each day lightly and gracefully—like the wind.

Thank you for reading.