Two Deep Breaths: A Transformational & Accessible Transition Tool

When people ask me how I’m doing these days, my response is typically “Life is Life-ing.” That’s to say: Life is BUSY. Work is BUSY. Family is BUSY. Home is BUSY. The world around us is BUSY, and constantly moving, and, somehow, seems to be moving faster all the time.

The busyness is most palpable during the work day, when I log on to a virtual meeting, often immediately after exiting another virtual meeting, or slipping back to my desk in my home office after a quick lunch break. Sound familiar?

No matter if we’re working from home, in the office, or in that hybrid “in-between”, we feel the quickness of transitions between the place we came from into the place we now are – whether that’s in a room together or a virtual “space” together.

Which is why I start ALL my meetings with “Two Deep Breaths.””

Anyone whose been in my meetings knows how it goes:

“I invite you to take two deep breaths with me to transition into this shared time and place together. You can do whatever works for you, but I’m going to close my eyes and take two deep breaths”.

I then stop talking and I close my eyes. I inhale and exhale, releasing whatever I was feeling before this meeting. I inhale again, and briefly visualize what lays ahead and how I want to present for it, and then slowly exhale before opening my eyes.

With the two deep breaths, the busyness has calmed and I feel present again.

Why should you try “Two Deep Breaths” at your next meeting?

As a facilitator, I create spaces that are efficient and inclusive spaces. The “Two Deep Breaths” is a valuable tool towards both of those ends.

In terms of efficiency, “Two Deep Breaths” is a simple yet effective tool to focus our attention to our task at hand, to slow the distractions, and maximize our time together.

In terms of inclusion, the “Two Deep Breaths” is an accessible ‘middle path’ transition for all kinds of meeting participants. It is:

• Simple enough that anyone can participate, even if you’re not used to deep breathing
• Fast enough that is someone catches the “giggles”(because it does and will happen!), the 2 breaths are over before it can get out of hand
• Meets the needs of any folks who may desire a deeper breathing and meditation experience before each meeting
• Just enough to transform the energy into the room from scattered to focus

One of my favorite collaborators, Sheen Klaus M.Ed, Research and Development Director at the Chatham County Partnership for Children, started taking two deep breaths with her staff at the start of her meetings. As she said:

“I started using ‘Two deep breaths’ to create a moment of pause and presence before diving into the busyness of our meetings. It’s helped ground our team, reduce stress, and foster a culture of intentionality and care in how we show up together.“

I hope you’ll try taking Two Deep Breaths at the start of your next meeting! If you do, let me know how it goes!