Note: Before performing these breathing patterns, it is recommended that you
receive instruction on breathing posture, natural breathing, and
complete yogic breathing. After learning these skills, and learning a
particular breathing pattern from an instructor, you may practice the
breathing pattern yourself and achieve the full benefits of what you
learn.
Segmented breathing
Segmented breathing is dividing the
inhale and/or the exhale in equal parts, suspending the breath
momentarily between each part.
* 4 sniffs to inhale in, and 1 continuous exhale out, will have the effect of healing, energizing, uplifting oneself.
* 8 sniffs to inhale in, and 8 parts to exhale out, will have a calming, centering effect.
Breath frequency
Typically, Women breath 18 to 20 cycles per minute, and men 16 to 18 cycles per minute.
*
At eight breaths per minute, relief from stress and increased mental
awareness is attained. The parasympathetic nervous system is
influenced, and the healing processes is elevated.
*
The One Minute Breath, 20 seconds to inhale, 20 seconds suspending the
inhaled breath, and 20 seconds to exhale, dramatically calms
fear, anxiety and worry.
It takes practice to go from Eight breaths per minute, to One
breath per minute.