Specific Instructions:
The correct practice of Coherent Breathing requires 2 things: 1) It requires that we breathe at a specific frequency with comfortable depth, 2) It requires that we relax specifically, when we exhale. As described in The Science section of the web site, the target breathing rhythm is 5 cycles in ~1 minute. The interval for the entire cycle is ~12 seconds and the interval for inhalation or exhalation is ~6 seconds. Each Breathing Pacemaker product presents you with the 6/12 second interval to which you synchronize your breathing cycle. This "synchronization" requires that you:
a) breathe across the entire interval, inhaling for 6 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds. b) change from inhalation to exhalation or visa versa at the specified moment, c) allow the pace of the air moving in and out of your lungs to naturally accelerate and decelerate, again very much like the action of the pendulum, and d) guide but do not force the process, in particular exhalation. e) relax coincident with exhalation. Inhalation requires effort (just like flexing any other large muscle). Relax and let exhalation occur naturally of its own accord; guide but do not force the pace of exhalation. The optimal breathing process approximates a sine wave as depicted in FIGURE 1 below:
Again, during moments throughout the day, use your Breathing Pacemaker recording to reinforce this "new" inhalation rhythm. Inhale and exhale a few intervals at a time, then relax and resume your "normal" breathing rhythm. Note any body/mind changes that you may experience before and after a few cycles of breathing at the optimal rhythm. Continue the practice outlined in Step 7 until you become proficient. Step 8: Now that you are proficient at both exhaling and inhaling for 6 second intervals, begin linking intervals together naturally, first a single interval, then 2, then 3, etc. With this, your complete breathing cycle will be occurring on 12 second intervals, yielding 5 complete breathing cycles in ~1 minute. Continue this practice of breathing at a 5 cycle per minute rate until you can do it comfortably for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc. Continue for as long as is comfortable without strain, then relax and return to your "normal" breathing rhythm. Again, during moments throughout the day, use your Breathing Pacemaker recording to reinforce this new 12 second breathing cycle rhythm. Do this a few intervals at a time, then relax and resume your regular breathing rhythm. Note any body/mind changes that you may experience before and after a few cycles of breathing at the optimal rhythm. Step 9: Continue with the practice of Step 8 until you are proficient breathing at the 12 second interval as often as desired. During moments throughout the day, use your Breathing Pacemaker(TM) recording to reinforce this rhythm. While at rest or semi-activity, make it your objective to breathe at this new rhythm all the time. There will be times that you will forget this new rhythm and revert to your regular unconscious breathing rhythm. In time, this will become noticeable and you will reorient your breathing in the moment to the new rhythm. This ends the instructive method.
breathing cycles. This is accomplished by alternating 6 second intervals in left and right channels. Consequently, 2 or more people can listen to the same pacemaker recording, synchronizing their inhalation with the left channel and exhalation with the right channel or visa versa.
Pacemaker Recording
Cue to Inhale or Exhale The strike of the bell The recurring melodic sequence The strike of the bell Second hand reaches 6 and 12 Silence, call of the whippoorwill Rising and falling binaural beat Strike of the bell The strike of the chime Strike of the chime Inhale on 1st 2 melodic phrases, exhale on 2nd 2 phrases Exhale with 6 descending notes; inhale with 6 ascending notes Red ball rises; blue ball falls
Indication of Impending Change 1st Bell fades out completely Recurring melodic sequence Tick of the clock Second hand approaches 6, second hand approaches 12 Maximal and minimal volume High and low volume Volume fades to zero Chime fades to zero Chime fades to zero
Distinction Between Inhalation & Exhalation Phases? Exhale with low bell; inhale with high bell
2 Bells
4 Bells
No
No Inhale as second hand moves from 6 to 12; exhale when hand moves from 12 to 6 No
Dusk Sounds Horizontal Pratyahara Long Soft Bell Mountain Brook & Chime
No No No
Single Chime
No
The melody itself Begin exhaling at chime; begin inhaling after last descending note. Fall approaches completion, rise approaches completion
Alternating melodic sequences Exhale with 6 descending notes; inhale with 6 ascending notes Yes
Taiji Diagram
Tibetan Bell & Chime Tibetan Bell & Marimba Vocal Instructive Sequence Vocal Instructive Sequence (Aqua)
The strike of the bell The strike of the bell Vocal "inhale" & "exhale" Verbal "inhale" & "exhale"
Strike of chime
Alternates in left & right ears Alternates in left & right ears Vocal "inhale" & "exhale" Vocal inhale and exhale
Marimba sequence
The number 4
This concludes the instructions. Products and methods described herein are protected by multiple patents pending. COHERENCE, Coherent Breathing, Breathing Pacemaker, The New Science of Breath, What Was Lost Is Not A Chord But a Rhythm, are trademarks of COHERENCE L.L.C., Allen, Texas, U.S.A. Copyright COHERENCE L.L.C. 2006. All rights reserved.