What is the Shift?
The Shift is a necklace concept that simply slows your exhale to 8+ seconds which triggers your vagus nerve to calm your nervous system. There’s no app, batteries, or chemicals involved…it just leverages a proven breath technique that calms you naturally and silently. It's like an anchor that's always there to keep you calm and cool.
It's just a straw right?
The Shift is the first of its kind so we can appreciate the initial confusion. We were inspired by a proven straw breathing technique to silently calm the mind but wanted to design something more practical and worn as a commitment to breathing better. We use medical grade 316 stainless steel with precious metal colors baked though so it can be used safely everyday. We also tested and patented the tube length and diameter in order to create ideal exhalations that physiologically trigger calm. You could absolutely use a straw but we found that random sizing can be ineffective and flatten in your pocket. Wearing The Shift as a necklace is a commitment to breathing better as a daily habit which makes you feel better whenever you need a breather.
How do I clean the Shift?
The Shift is intentionally manufactured using a high quality stainless steel, which makes it extremely durable for everyday use. The precious metal colors are baked through the piece so you never have to worry about tarnishing or rusting when exposed to water. To keep your Shift looking shiny and new, we recommend using our Care Kit featured here: https://www.komusodesign.com/products/care-kit
Why can't I just breathe slower on my own?
Most people know that slower breathing works to relax them, yet still don’t do it. Why? Because we take 23,000 breaths per day and they’re all unconscious. The Shift is physical and because you’re wearing it, those slower breaths become more consistent as a daily practice. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, can’t sleep at night, or simply have an anxious mind…The Shift is there to immediately bring you back to calm.
Is this based on real science?
We totally understand if you're skeptical about how or why this works because it seems too simple. Our tool has been designed, tested, and patented by a psychotherapist who used proven data about how breathing effects your mind.
Think of your inhalations as the gas pedal and your exhalations as the brakes. Stress triggers short inhales which launches you into ‘fight or flight’ mode. With 50,000 thoughts and 150 phone notifications everyday, we enter this state of mind too often which makes us feel tired and tense. Extending your exhales immediately reverses this state within two minutes by lowering cortisol (stress hormone), blood pressure, and heart rate.
We used this proven science to engineer a tool that allows you to access these longer exhales more often which makes you breathe better as a habit.
How is the Shift manufactured?
We partnered with the world’s leading stainless-steel provider to ensure the highest quality product. The materials we use stand up to European testing methods and employ a proprietary process to provide our customers with the best possible product.
We only use medical grade stainless steel and bake precious metal colors into the piece so it doesn’t lose its shine or finish. We didn’t cut any corners and have spared no expense to ensure its quality. There are many copies of our concept out there now and we can’t speak to their quality standards but believe you should be careful with anything you put in your mouth. We are the proud original creators and hope you’ll give our Shift a chance with a 30 day risk free purchase. As a customer, you’ll also receive free breathing techniques, tips, and advice on how to get the most out of such a life changing tool. Breathing better is our passion!
Why are different colors different prices?
We manufacture our breathing tool using a proprietary method of baking the precious metals into high grade stainless steel to achieve the desired color. We use this process so the color never loses its luster.
The reason for the price variance is that the gold color takes more machining to produce such a vibrant color. We want to make sure it matches real gold or silver. The matte slate piece is the cheapest because it doesn’t require a high polish, so it’s easier to make.
Why is the Shift so expensive?
That’s a fair question. The price of the product is based on a few different variables.
The first is that we use a high quality grade of 316 stainless steel that bakes the precious metal colors all the way through the piece through a proprietary process. This is important because the color in most jewelry wears down, or the plating chips or cracks. That won’t happen with the Shift. Our breathing tool is durable, elegant, and functional, designed and tested to help you breathe better for years to come.
Next, we use recycled metals, which increases costs. But as we help our audience breathe better, we also want to help our planet, and most especially our forests, breathe better too. So we continue to refine and streamline our methods with the utmost respect for the planet.
We want our customers to feel a long term connection with the necklace. This isn’t a trend or a fad for us. It’s not something we imagine our customers wearing occasionally. The Shift is an investment into breathing better, into reaching your potential, into a more vibrant life and a better you. To make customers feel more comfortable, we offer a risk-free trial for 30 days so you can return it if you feel the price doesn't match the experience(available in the US; to international buyers – please check the terms and conditions).
How can I become an Ambassador or Affiliate Partner?
Our mission to lead a wellness movement centered around breathing better to help people feel better. We need help to get this message out there and we'd love for you join our community of breath enthusiasts to spread the word. Here's how you can apply: join collabs
Can this breathing tool help me quit smoking?
We honestly didn't design the tool with the intention of helping people quit smoking, but have been surprised by how many customers have successfully used it to quit.
They tell us they’ve learned that their "smoking break" is really more like a "breathing break." Our breathing tool has provided them with an excuse to go outside, hold something physical to satisfy that part of the habit, and take pause during their day and busy schedules while breathing. Simply put, the Shift checks nearly all of the boxes that accompany the smoking habit, without the negative side effects.
There’s some science to back this up too: longer exhales send signals to your nervous system to calm down, regardless of whether you’re using a cigarette or our breathing tool. The Shift helps our audience achieve longer exhales and a greater sense of calm naturally, in turn shifting the habit from smoking to naturally breathing better.
Shipping questions
Can I cancel or update my order? or change my shipping address?
Our team works hard to get your order dispatched as quickly as possible, and so we’re unable to guarantee any cancellation requests or changes to your order. Please reach out to our customer experience team info@komusodesign.com and we will do our best to support you.
What are the shipping fees?
The shipping fee is charged based on the subtotal before taxes and discounts, and is non-refundable.
Deliveries outside of the US may be subject to custom duties and service fees. Please note that Komuso Design does not have any control over them and cannot advise as to what the cost will be. For more information, please contact your local customs office. We are not able to reimburse you for duties and taxes paid upon delivery.
Returns questions
What is the return policy?
We offer easy 30-day returns for customers. All returns must:
- Have no signs of wear or damage
- Be In its original condition
- Be In all original packaging (box, pouch and insert card included) or as it applies to the product purchased.
How do I return my online purchase?
Please email info@komusodesign.com with your order number to start your return. Should the returned item not meet the above return guidelines, Komuso has the right to deny a return and have the item re-shipped to customers.
Note, at this time we only provide return labels for domestic USA orders. International orders will require to pay for their own return postage.