I have now been using Resperate for 7 days. As a fairly fit person (Used to run Marathons) I have always had a low resting breathing rate between 5-6 bpm. When Resperate asks to establish my breathing pattern it ends up about 5bpm. After a 15 minute session it gets to under 4. I have just read in your forum that the optimum breathing rate should be between 5 and 10.
Does this mean that I am not getting full benefit by breathing below 5bpm? Should I try to breathe a bit faster even if it is not my natural breathing rate?
I have so far logged 163 theraputic minutes with Average bpm 4.0, 90% sync rate and 95% breath detection rate.
My BP starting at 190/100 has come down today to 167/86. One problem is that that my BP is very variable. Yesterday morning for example it was up to 180/90 again . Is it normal for BP to vary on a day to day basis?
Will I see my PB settle to a consistently lower level throughout the day as I continue to use Resperate?

You're looking for an all day sustained reduction which usually occurs around 3rd-4th week of regular use. If you are seeing a reduction after a session, it's an indication that you are using it properly and should see the sustained results soon!
Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Hello, As a fairly new resperate user, started in Dec. 09 but realized I was breathing incorrectly (too hard and not allowing myself to completely relax) so by Jan. I felt I had a better handle on it. I have the same type of irratic bp, from one minute to the next it'll go up or down, completely unpredictable. I've been tracking it seriously since Jan 4th, logging it at approximately the same time everyday before and after my workout. Also in the evenings because it was always high.

Readings were all over the place but diastolic improved about 4 weeks into resperate from 98-105 reduced to 82-95. Systolic hovered at 138-159, sometimes spiking to 160-170 but not staying there.
My original readings ranged from 145/99-170/105 and it would take me forever to relax enough to bring it down to 140/89, then it wouldn't stay there.

I was becoming a little discouraged but once I glimpsed even the slightest improvement I decided it was working and now Feb. 18th the gap of fluctuations has greatly decreased. My bp is now ranging from 116/76 - 138/78. I haven't seen 150's-170 for the last couple of days so this is really encouraging.

For me this is fantastic because my biggest problem has always been the fluctuations with the slightest upset and difficulty in achieving true relaxation. This week in particular I feel lighter inside, hard to explain, it's like my heart feels lighter, more even and toned.

My point is don't get hung up on the 3-4week, have to see results.

Everyone is different. I have also discovered I have to make sure I'm in a quiet place with no anticipation that I'll be interrupted. This has been for me, the key to allowing the resperate to work with my body. Tension can be felt by the body internally so if we don't give ourselves permission to completely forget about everything and let go I really don't believe the resperate method of breathing can take place. It's definitely for me the emptying of the mind and letting the body go, giving in.

As for fluctuations of bp, they are normal throughout the day and can vary greatly from individual to individual. It's a problem when the bp stays highly elevated for long periods of time. Also for me my bp elevated on some days after immediate resperate use (150-170/95-100) but several hours later it had lowered to 147-148/90-92. Now I'm thinking that perhaps it's the body's way of adjusting to the breathing exercise.

Just wanted to share my experience so far and results can be had if you just don't give up or become impatient by measuring yourself against other users.

Have a great day,
Alexa