Thread: trouble with breathing in WILDs

I have almost successfully had a WILD. My one problem is breathing. I can't help but focus too much on breathing, and this causes me to either hyperventilate or under breathe. I can't find a good rhythm, so i cannot fully relax and the whole time my mind is too aware. Any advice?

That happens to me too when I attempt it. I feel like I get closer to the WILD when I just ignore my breathing completely and let it assume that unconscious, slow sort of breathing, while focusing on... not focusing on anything. Haha

Do you get to SP before the breathing starts bothering you?

this happens to me as well. i just seem to stop breathing, then i have to take a huge breath, and it messes everything up. havent been able to fix it yet.

I'm having trouble with this as well, but here's what i'm trying to learn to do, and just relax your stomach. Release all the tension in that area. Just let your diaphragm breathe. Hopefully this will work for you, and try not to control your breathing, just relax your breathing by relaxing your stomach.

Originally Posted by topten35

I'm having trouble with this as well, but here's what i'm trying to learn to do, and just relax your stomach. Release all the tension in that area. Just let your diaphragm breathe. Hopefully this will work for you, and try not to control your breathing, just relax your breathing by relaxing your stomach.

That sounds good. I think I will try it tonight after a WBTB (isn't summer just wonderful?).

And my breathing trouble happens before and after SP, but i just give up cause i cant take it anymore around the time of sleep paralysis.

The best metronome you can use for finding your own perfect breathing rhythm is your own heartbeat.

Example: inhale 3 beats, hold 6 beats, exhale 9 beats, repeat.

You can even try adding the fourth phase, holding out between exhaling and inhaling, but it might feel difficult at first.

Find a number of beats that makes you relaxed and doesn't feel like you're 'hungry' for air. You can increase it with time.
The slower your breathing is, the better. The quieter it is, the better.

This is just advice about breathing rhythm, you need to pick up on proper diaphragmatic breathing first.

You can also visualize exhaling tension from your muscles.
You'll notice your heartbeat getting slower when you do this for some time. Mine goes from 47 to 41 bmp. By that time you'll be so relaxed your whole body will feel like it's made of rubber

Originally Posted by SnakeCharmer

The best metronome you can use for finding your own perfect breathing rhythm is your own heartbeat.

Example: inhale 3 beats, hold 6 beats, exhale 9 beats, repeat.

You can even try adding the fourth phase, holding out between exhaling and inhaling, but it might feel difficult at first.

Find a number of beats that makes you relaxed and doesn't feel like you're 'hungry' for air. You can increase it with time.
The slower your breathing is, the better. The quieter it is, the better.

This is just advice about breathing rhythm, you need to pick up on proper diaphragmatic breathing first.

You can also visualize exhaling tension from your muscles.
You'll notice your heartbeat getting slower when you do this for some time. Mine goes from 47 to 41 bmp. By that time you'll be so relaxed your whole body will feel like it's made of rubber

I never thought of using my heart as a counter!

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What I used to do was breathe in 3 seconds, exhale 6 seconds.. or something to that ratio. It was over on MM but I think it was the opposite.

Originally Posted by hellohihello

I never thought of using my heart as a counter!

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What I used to do was breathe in 3 seconds, exhale 6 seconds.. or something to that ratio. It was over on MM but I think it was the opposite.

Well, different people will recommend different ratios, but IMO it's better to find your own through experimentation and then try to prolong every phase once you get better at it.