Variances/Differences of Breathing
Resting, Normal Breath Rates
1. Innately, individuals have different rates of breathing.
2. Breathing in and out of the nose only, is considered normal breaths. This excludes breathing under the process of stress, anxiousness (may be quite temporary, someone could experience anxiousness regarding passing a particular test or attending a special event), or manipulation of breath, such as panting, sighing, wheezing and so on.
3. At rest, normal breathing usually goes as follows:
Inhalation or Breathing In is a process of 1 to 1.5 seconds.
An automatic pause of nearly any breathing for 1 to 2 seconds.
Exhalation or Breathing Out is a process of 1.5 to 2 seconds.
4. Every breath consists approximately of 500 to 600 mil of air, referred to as the Tidal Volume or depth of inhalation.
5. The breath rate of an individual will vary throughout their lifetime.
6. An infant's breath rate, 35-58 times per minute.
7. A toddler's breath rate, 15-22 times per minute.
8. An adolescent's breath rate, 12-16 times per minute.
9. An adult's breath rate, 10-14 times per minute.
10. A faster heart rate will generate quicker breathing.
Please note that the above information on resting, normal breath rates has been averaged because there will be variances per individual, possibly even significant differences.
Discovering Resting, Normal Breath Rates
1. A timer should be set for one minute before beginning this practice.
2. An individual will need to be comfortably positioned and seated; a yoga mat may be beneficial. Closing the eyes may help with focus, yet it's not necessary. Good posture is needed to avoid abnormal experiences of the body. Before beginning, exhale all the air from the lungs through the nose. Next, begin counting resting, normal breaths, meaning one breath is equal to one inhalation and one exhalation. If you need help keeping count, ask a friend or family member to tally or count with or for you in order to create documentation.
3. When the timer stops after a minute, calculate the number of breaths completed within that period.
4. For a fun experience, discuss variances by assisting your friend or family member to discover their resting, normal breath rate, and conclude any differences between the two of you.
Understanding variances in breathing is supportive if one were to become trained in assisting others with breath practice. If there are significant variances in breath rates, this isn't necessarily an indication of abnormality within an individual or individuals.
Breath Practice and Variances of Breathing
1. Commonly in breath practice, there's a beginning 4-count of inhalation, simply meaning breathing in until reaching the number 4 in counting, and then following is exhalation, supportively as a 4-count.
2. With variances in individual breathing, some may find that adjustments of counting inhalation and exhalation may be more accommodating for the natural rate of their body. Beginning practice within the individual's comfortableness of the body is most beneficial, whether inhalation and exhalation begins below or above the more usual 4-count. Although this is so, pay attention to breathing patterns in everyday life when necessary for the purpose of monitoring balanced and healthful states because sometimes indicators are present that may require specific care.
Reminders
Understand that engagement with the above is of sole discretion. Refer throughout this program for some general considerations regarding breath practice and pranayama. Initially, searching for a local qualified guide may be most beneficial for a more personable monitored experience, especially considering the state of health or condition. Inquire with your licensed healthcare provider if there are any existing conditions that may not be conducive to practice, being that only a few are mentioned in this community or on this site.
This information is provided for general informational purposes and is not a substitute or definitive to replace physicians' care.