A wonderful article Vaishali! These are certainly the most important aspects of our breath to attend to if we experience states of stress or anxiety... and who doesn't these days?
I particularly like your advice about the cumulative nature of this practice. Changing our breath pattern cannot be hurried, otherwise we simply overlay an enforced pattern of breathing over a disordered pattern of breathing. This can lead to more problems! Taking things slowly and noticing and appreciating the peace that even just a few soft, subtle, extended exhalations and/or ujjayi breaths can create is certainly the way to go.
A wonderful article Vaishali! These are certainly the most important aspects of our breath to attend to if we experience states of stress or anxiety... and who doesn't these days?
I particularly like your advice about the cumulative nature of this practice. Changing our breath pattern cannot be hurried, otherwise we simply overlay an enforced pattern of breathing over a disordered pattern of breathing. This can lead to more problems! Taking things slowly and noticing and appreciating the peace that even just a few soft, subtle, extended exhalations and/or ujjayi breaths can create is certainly the way to go.