Counting Out Breath
The primary goals of our breathing practice are:
1.to increase oxygen intake with every inhaled breath.
2.to enhance the flow of oxygen-energy throughout our physical, mental and emotional systems as a natural function of the cycle of breath.
3.to do this with as little effort as necessary, since excessive effort wastes the very oxygen-energy we want to expand.
The next step is to experience a deep and effortless inhale. Not, however, by trying to "take a deep breath." Instead, you begin by assuring that you have breathed out completely. When the lungs are totally empty, the body naturally breathes in deeply and without effort. As you continue this practice of complete exhales and deep, effortless inhales, your breathing cycle will become longer, more efficient, and more oxygen-energy productive.
Begin with a long slow inhale,
Then vocally count by 10s
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,
2,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,20,
3,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,30,
4,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,40.............
As long as you can go without excessive strain
Until it is time to breathe in.
Count as fast as you can
Without slurring or mispronouncing the words.
Note how high you counted.
Take a few long slow breaths,
Then repeat, noting how high you counted,
Then a few long slow breaths and repeat again.
Practice 3 times a day.
When you can easily count to 200 (20x10)
You are ready to move on to the next breath.