Cooling Breath (Sitali) is breathing in through a curled tongue (or through the teeth, called sitkari, if you can’t curl it) and out through the nose. A traditional cooling practice; many people find it settling when they feel hot or irritable.
How do you do Cooling Breath?
- Curl your tongue into a tube, tip just past your lips. Can't curl it? Breathe in through your teeth instead.
- Breathe in slowly through your tongue.
- Close your mouth and breathe out through your nose.
The rhythm
In 4sOut 6s
The default rhythm is the gentlest standard one; the app also offers 4 · 8.
What does the research say?
A traditional cooling practice; many people find it settling when they feel hot or irritable.
Evidence grade C · Early research: Small, uncontrolled or non-randomized studies, or mixed results. Grades describe evidence for feeling calmer, more alert or more focused, never a claim about treating a condition.
Sources
- Shetty et al. 2017, Integrative Medicine (Encinitas) 16(5):32
Who should take care with Cooling Breath?
Before a session the app shows a short caution when it applies:
- With asthma or COPD or another lung condition: Cool, dry air can bother sensitive airways; stop if you start coughing.
Oxigen is a wellness app, not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting, and keep following your care plan.
How Oxigen guides Cooling Breath
- Rhythms: 4 · 6 or 4 · 8 seconds.
- Session length: 2, 3 or 5 minutes.
- Included with Oxigen Premium.
- An orb, a rhythm ring, haptics and optional sound guide each breath, with “I feel unwell” always on screen.
Similar calming techniques
Updated November 8, 2026. Copy reviewed against Oxigen’s claims policy and technique reference.