The Role of Slow and Deep Breath

It is seen from the list of effects of the fight or flight response that it increases respiration rate. This response is associated with speeding up, characteristic of the activity of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system which too is known to increase respiration rate. 

On the other hand, the relaxation response is listed as slowing down the respiration rate. This response is associated with slowing down, characteristic of the activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system which too is known to increase respiration rate.

Respiration is the only effect of the activity of the autonomic nervous system and of the two opposing physical responses which ordinarily runs autonomically by the limbic system of the brain, but can also be run under the control of our volition which is the function of the neocortex.

Thus, by taking conscious control of the breathing function we can consciously elicit the relaxation response. This is the strategy on which this website focuses.

Meditation is primarily a mental practice while slow breathing is primarily physical technique. It is harder to master a mental discipline than to engage in a physiological practice which leads to a focus of attention.

Meditative focus elicits the relaxation response which slows the breathing rate. Volitionally slowing the breathing rate requires continually attending to every inhalation and every exhalation which itself is meditative. Slow and deep breathing thus physically takes us to the entry door of meditation.

Beginning to meditate on an object at the end of a deep breathing period then is merely shifting conscious attention from breathing to the object of meditation with deep breathing moving from the conscious to the subconscious mind.

Meditation leads to deep breathing which leads to deep meditation!