Komuso Design is a wellness company founded by Todd and Vanessa Steinberg focused on helping people feel calm through breathwork, nervous system regulation, and daily Micro-Calming rituals.

Komuso created the original breathing necklace called the Shift — a wearable breathwork tool designed to naturally slow the exhale and help people create moments of calm throughout their day.

Today, hundreds of thousands of people use Komuso products to support stress reduction, anxiety relief, mindfulness, smoking and vaping cessation, emotional regulation, sleep preparation, and daily nervous system support.

A breathing necklace is a wearable tool designed to guide slow, controlled exhaling through a small airway chamber.

The Komuso Shift was specifically designed to naturally extend the exhale, which is important because longer exhalations are associated with activating the parasympathetic nervous system — the part of the body connected to rest, calm, and recovery.

Many people use breathing necklaces during moments of:

• anxiety
• panic
• overwhelm
• stress cravings
• emotional eating urges
• smoking or vaping cravings
• pre-sleep routines
• difficult conversations
• travel anxiety
• emotional regulation practices

Unlike apps or meditation sessions, the Shift is wearable, which makes breathwork more accessible throughout everyday life.

The Shift works by gently slowing your exhale.

When you breathe out through the chamber, resistance naturally helps lengthen the exhalation. Slow exhaling has been associated with helping calm the nervous system and interrupt stress responses.

Many people unknowingly hold their breath or breathe shallowly during stress and anxiety. The Shift helps create awareness around breathing while making longer exhalations feel easier and more natural.

People often describe the experience as:

• grounding
• calming
• centering
• meditative
• physically regulating

The goal is not perfection. The goal is creating small moments of calm throughout the day through consistent Micro-Calming rituals.

Micro-Calming is Komuso’s philosophy that small moments of intentional calm can create meaningful changes in how we process stress.

Instead of waiting until burnout, panic, or overwhelm takes over, Micro-Calming encourages short nervous system resets throughout the day using tools like breathwork, mindfulness, grounding rituals, gratitude, and intentional pauses.

Examples of Micro-Calming include:

• taking a long exhale before answering a stressful email
• using the Shift during a vaping craving
• breathing slowly before bed
• pausing before stress eating
• taking three intentional breaths before entering a meeting
• using the Flex during moments of anxiety or overstimulation

The goal is not escaping stress. The goal is changing your relationship with stress.

Many people use breathwork to support feelings of calm during stress and anxiety.

Slow breathing techniques, particularly longer exhalations, may help regulate the nervous system and reduce feelings of overwhelm by shifting the body away from a heightened stress response.

The Shift is designed to make slow exhaling simple and accessible during real-life moments when anxiety appears.

People commonly use the Shift:

• during anxious thoughts
• before public speaking
• while traveling
• during panic sensations
• before sleep
• during stressful workdays
• during emotional overwhelm

Breathwork is not a replacement for professional medical or mental health care, but many people find it to be a powerful daily support tool.

Long exhaling is associated with activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is often referred to as the body’s “rest and digest” state.

During stress, people often:

• breathe shallowly
• hold their breath
• hyperventilate
• tense their muscles

Intentional slow exhaling can help create a physical signal of safety within the body.

This is one reason many therapists, mindfulness practitioners, athletes, and wellness professionals teach breathing techniques during stressful situations.

This is extremely common.

During stress or anxiety, many people unconsciously:

• hold their breath
• tighten their chest
• breathe rapidly
• breathe shallowly

This is part of the body’s stress response.

The Shift helps create awareness around breathing patterns while encouraging slower exhaling, which many people find grounding during anxious moments.

Many people use the Shift during moments of panic or overwhelm because slow breathing can help interrupt escalating stress patterns.

The Shift is designed to provide a physical breathing rhythm people can focus on during difficult moments.

However, everyone’s experience with anxiety and panic is different. The Shift is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.

Breathwork itself has been widely studied for its relationship to stress regulation, nervous system function, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.

The Komuso Shift is inspired by an ancient straw breathing technique associated with slow exhaling practices.

Many modern breathing techniques focus on extending the exhale because of its relationship to relaxation and nervous system support.

The Shift is not designed for chewing or sucking. It is a functional breathing tool designed to guide slow exhaling.

Many adults use physical tools to support nervous system regulation:

• stress balls
• worry stones
• meditation beads
• fidget tools
• breathwork tools

The Shift is designed to create a calming breathing ritual that can be used discreetly throughout the day.

Many people use the Shift as part of their smoking or vaping cessation journey because it helps replace both:

• the breathing ritual
• the oral fixation habit

Stress and emotional regulation are deeply connected to smoking and vaping habits. Many users find that slow breathing helps interrupt cravings and create space before reacting automatically.

Komuso also offers guided resources and breathwork education designed to support people reducing or quitting vaping and smoking.

Many cravings are connected to stress, emotional triggers, routines, and nervous system dysregulation.

Breathwork can help:

• slow impulsive reactions
• create grounding
• regulate emotional intensity
• interrupt habitual patterns

Many people also miss the ritual of inhaling and exhaling. The Shift provides a healthier breathing-focused ritual without smoke or vapor.

People often reach for vaping during:

• stress
• boredom
• anxiety
• overwhelm
• emotional discomfort

Healthy replacement rituals may include:

• breathwork
• walking
• mindfulness
• grounding exercises
• fidget tools
• hydration
• journaling
• nervous system regulation practices

Many people use the Shift or Flex as a physical calming ritual instead of reaching for a vape.

Many users enjoy the Flex because it provides a tactile breathing and fidget experience that can help redirect nervous energy and oral fixation habits.

The Flex was designed as a handheld calming tool that supports breath awareness, grounding, and nervous system regulation throughout the day.

Stress is not only mental. It can also appear physically in the body.

People commonly experience:

• tight chest
• jaw tension
• headaches
• racing heart
• shallow breathing
• stomach discomfort
• emotional eating urges
• restlessness

Micro-Calming focuses on helping people physically interrupt stress patterns before they escalate.

Many people find that intentional breathing helps shift attention away from racing thoughts and back into the body.

Breathing exercises can create moments of:

• grounding
• present awareness
• emotional regulation
• nervous system support

Many users use the Shift during periods of overthinking, rumination, or mental overwhelm.

Stress eating is often connected to emotional regulation and nervous system overload.

People frequently reach for:

• snacks
• sugar
• scrolling
• smoking
• vaping
• alcohol
• distraction

during periods of stress because the body is seeking comfort, stimulation, or relief.

Komuso often refers to breathwork as a “physical alternative to stress eating” because it provides a calming ritual without consumption.

A physical calming ritual is a small intentional action that helps regulate the nervous system during stress.

Examples include:

• deep breathing
• holding the Shift
• using the Flex
• stretching
• grounding exercises
• mindfulness rituals
• journaling
• gratitude practices

Physical rituals can help interrupt automatic stress reactions and create moments of awareness.

The Shift is a wearable breathing necklace designed for slow exhaling and daily breathwork.

The Flex is a handheld breathing and fidget tool designed for tactile grounding, breath awareness, nervous system support, and calming rituals.

Many people use:

• the Shift for wearable everyday calm
• the Flex during work, travel, stress, focus sessions, or cravings

Yes. Many people wear the Shift daily as both a functional breathing tool and a minimal necklace.

Many users use the Shift before bed as part of their nighttime calming routine. However, for comfort and safety, some people choose to remove jewelry while sleeping.

The Shift is made from durable materials including surgical-grade stainless steel. However, like most jewelry, proper care is recommended to help maintain appearance over time.

Komuso products use high-quality materials designed for everyday use. Material details for each product can be found directly on the individual product pages.

Everyone’s experience is different.

Many people report that using the Shift or Flex helps them:

• feel calmer
• interrupt anxious spirals
• reduce stress
• slow down racing thoughts
• replace unhealthy habits
• create intentional pauses

The most important part is consistency. Breathwork is not about perfection. It is about creating repeated moments of awareness and regulation throughout everyday life.

Shipping times vary depending on location and carrier conditions. Estimated delivery windows are provided during checkout and tracking information is sent once your order ships.

International orders may take additional time due to customs processing and carrier delays.

Yes. Komuso ships internationally to many countries around the world.

Yes. Komuso proudly offers military discounts. Please contact support for current eligibility details and discount information.

Yes. Komuso offers free U.S. returns within 30 days so you can experience our breathing tools with confidence and zero risk.

We understand that wellness tools are personal, and we want you to have the opportunity to explore whether the Shift or Flex feels supportive for your lifestyle and nervous system needs.

Please note that customized or engraved items may be final sale and not eligible for return.
For complete return details and eligibility, please visit our Returns Policy page.