Breathing Frequency/Depth vs. Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Emphasis
Breathing rate strongly influences sympathetic nervous system emphasis, the higher the rate, the higher the sympathetic emphasis. Breathing depth strongly influences parasympathetic emphasis. Generally, the deeper the breathing the stronger the parasympathetic emphasis.
When breathing frequency is "Hi", by definition, depth is "Lo". This results in strong sympathetic stimulation and weak parasympathetic stimulation as depicted by the red quadrant.
When breathing frequency is "Lo" and breathing depth is "Lo", it results in low sympathetic stimulation and low parasympathetic stimulation, as depicted by the yellow quadrant. This condition is one wherein the breathing rate is not exacerbating sympathetic nervous system emphasis, but parasympathetic emphasis is not being elicited.
When breathing rate is "Lo" and breathing depth is "Hi", not only is the sympathetic function not being stimulated, but the parasympathetic function is strongly stimulated. As it is the objective to counter the tendency toward sympathetic over-emphasis, the net effect is autonomic nervous system balance.
With this in mind, there is a specific breathing frequency with commensurate depth that yields optimal autonomic nervous system balance, this being the frequency of resonance.
Copyright 2005, Coherence L.L.C.
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