Cross sectional studies include undiagnosed sick people. Sick from the standpoint of the "norm" being to low to be really healthy or "normal".   For example, including 5 morons in a group of 5 geniuses is bound to lower the class averages.

Including those with non optimal health in a given group to establish clinical norms will lower the expectation of acceptable health quality and allow for increased undetected poor health to worsen because no one sees the need to take action.  Too-wide parameters instead of narrower ones in a blood test is another example.

http://www.breathing.com/articles/clinical-studies.htm

btw, there is ample evidence that athletics is good to a point but harmful after that.  Where is that point?  The wider the so called norms are the sooner the athlete develops signs of trouble that are overlooked by contemporary assessments.  Lots of sports induced asthma and heart attack these days.  If the parameters were tighter they would be dissuaded or better counseled regarding the activity that is worsening or causing the problem.

I believe that a 20 breath rate means that the person’s nervous system is constantly stressed and will need constant medical attention of some sort.  Like running a car engine at 5,000 RPM while at a stop sign or in the garage. The engine will burn out much sooner.

mike  
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RELIGIONS AND BREATHING

Mike:
Why is it more spiritual leaders don't emphasize the breath?  I can't even visualize going on without this work.  I realize the Tao & Chi-kung people talk about it and Yoga people, but many western people who awaken and turn to teaching just ignore it.  I can only surmise that it's just not in their experience and therefore not important.  It's almost as if they see the radical ups & downs as somehow valuable to the seeker as a 'lesson' of some sort or as a way of encouraging one to abandon the ego because of the painfulness of it all. 
I find this a potentially dangerous approach and now that I'm working 
on my breathing I will never take that road again.
From Mike: Many religions have breathing in the form of chanting, chorals, singing, toning, as an integral part of their activities. Some do not. I suspect that less emphasis is on the breathing and more on the thinking because the thinking supports the way of being and doing that support the specific religion; Paradigm, dogmas etc.  I have not experienced  any successful religions that do not have some sort of extra-breathing included.  I find breathing more often in the "spiritual" world but as you say, not nearly enough.  RECOMMENDED PROGRAM

Can I learn to breathe optimally on the net?

Learn on line? Not hardly. Perhaps  to get interested enough to take proper action. Too many factors to address properly. Timing, repetition, inner sensing, visualizing etc.

Most any way one changes their breathing will be beneficial,. for a while. But only for a while. I am always concerned that if people tried one or two things and got,  none, mediocre or even sometimes beneficial results they would think that the breath is not all  that important.  Sleeping, breathing, food, exercise, attitude, ergonomics are ALL equally important. Don't shirk on ANY of them. 

That is why I do not allow people to dabble with what I deem as quick-fix stuff on the net.  My approach is a systems approach. Holistic and systematic. 

If you want a powerful exercise then go to www.breathing.com/tips-energy.htm but understand that this is just one approach amongst several others.  You can scan the results page for more insight into the big picture. www.breathing.com/results.htm

Keep breathing,

mike

Vipassna

From Phillip;

In vipassna you just watch the breath and bodily sensation without trying to alter or judge looking at all with non attachment,

It is hard to really compare to your work.. although maybe to say that "when one is really able to watch the breath, one notices that the breath self
regulates... when we let go into just what is, without attachment and surrender to that... then the truth is able to move through us without
inhibition, whether that means better breathing, better digestion to ultimately deep peace with all of life, we can see the beauty in
everything."

Going to order new Better Breathing Exercise #2 from the website .. I gave mine away.

I have missed practicing and feel drawn to practice again.

Phil M.

From Mike

Very nicely put. Sounds friendly and familiar.

Lately I've been using a combination of computer and digitally based breathing training devices as a sort of a carbon dioxide and oxygen measuring tool that also functions in a biofeedback way. I have seen that many do not breathe right even when  they appear to the look, sound and feel, to do so.

I had long ago learned that many people can not just watch the breath independently of influencing it. There are distorted  "physical"  "mentally driven" and or "biochemically altered", breathing patterns that have been almost "set in cement" that alter the "natural eb and flow of optimal natural breathing" in all phases of mechanical breathing, gas exchange, and intercellular chemistry.

Some of this breathing pattern disorder relates directly to carbon dioxide and uptake/distribution of adequate oxygen.  It also influences intake of cosmic and chi forces and emotional experience(s).  This UDB or Unbalanced Deep Breathing breathing must be addressed to ensure the balance, ease and flow of ALL other mental and biochemical activities. Back to the autonomic nervous system again.

I have created several training methods that use these insights to help train the person into a more optimal breathing pattern. This is making a HUGE difference in the way they see, feel and react to their world.. Problems with anger, fatigue, seizures, palpitations, somatics, mental clarity and focus and a host of others are reduced or eliminated. Very quickly, by comparison, to anything I have ever experienced, including Vipassna.

So I strongly suspect this new use of technology will be an aid to those having any difficulty with vipassna.

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