Circular Breathing (Didgeridoo/Wind Instrument Technique)
A continuous breathing technique that maintains an uninterrupted outward airflow by storing air in the cheeks while simultaneously inhaling through the nose. Clinically proven as a form of myofunctional therapy, it strengthens the upper airway muscles to reduce snoring and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
- 1Fill your cheeks with air, puffing them out like a balloon while continuing to breathe normally through your nose.
- 2Isolate the air in your cheeks by closing the back of your throat using your soft palate.
- 3Squeeze your cheek muscles to push the stored air out of your mouth in a steady, controlled stream.
- 4Simultaneously, while the air is being pushed out of your mouth, take a quick, sharp inhalation through your nose.
- 5Immediately open the back of your throat to connect the newly inhaled air from your lungs to the outward airflow.
- 6Practice this coordination using a straw in a glass of water, aiming to maintain a continuous, uninterrupted stream of bubbles.
Circular breathing requires complex, simultaneous coordination of the diaphragm, soft palate, and buccal (cheek) muscles. By maintaining continuous positive airway pressure and actively engaging the pharyngeal muscles, it acts as targeted myofunctional therapy. This repetitive muscular engagement strengthens the upper airway dilator muscles, reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep, which significantly improves symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and reduces snoring.
Treats Symptoms
Target Metrics
Recent oral, facial, or throat surgery, severe COPD, emphysema, or acute asthma exacerbations.
Verified Sources
Keep TryBreathing Free.
We are building the open-source Wikipedia of the human nervous system. No paywalls, no ads, no subscriptions. If this protocol helped you today, consider supporting the servers.
Support the MissionRecommended Reading & Tools
Deepen your understanding of respiratory physiology. These verified texts and tools form the foundational science behind many of the protocols in our directory.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
By James Nestor
The Oxygen Advantage
By Patrick McKeown
The Breathing Cure
By Patrick McKeown
The Breather
Clinical Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT)
TryBreathing is a free, community-supported resource. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these verified clinical links, which directly funds our server costs.