The first time I did it, I felt a wave of nausea for two seconds. Then? A sigh. An actual, audible sigh escaped my mouth. My diaphragm, which had been locked in a shrug for probably ten years, finally let go.

Breathe deep. Stay soft. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. Do not strike your abdomen hard. If you have hernias, are pregnant, or have organ issues, skip this one.

Turns out, sometimes you need to lean into the impact to find the softness underneath.

It’s called a "punch" because of the percussive effect on the vagus nerve. A gentle, deep impact signals the parasympathetic system: We are safe. We can digest. We can rest.