I found that no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't truly get comfortable with Resperate. I felt like I was racing to keep up with the guiding tones. Almost all of the advice assumes that people are breathing too slow to be comfortable. By pure chance, I found I had just the opposite problem -- I need to breathe REALLY slow. Here is what worked for me. Before even starting Resperate, I lay down and get as relaxed as possible, releasing all muscle tension. Then I slowly but comfortably inhale, then through pursed lips exhale as slowly as I can. I pause on exhalation until I feel the urge to inhale. Then while doing this exact routine for a few minutes I fire up the Resperate. When I'm done my initial breathing rate is usually 4BPM or less, and my final BPM 3.5 or less -- but its been as low 3BPM initial and 2.5 final. Here is the startling news: since doing this new routine my blood pressure has been better than ever, and in a number of sessions almost too low -- like 108/50, but more typically 118/63. In general, the lower the BPM the lower my blood pressure (at least as taken after the session). Just thought I'd share this in case it can help anyone else.

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the fact that your topic title is also a disclaimer, that this in fact will NOT work for most people!! I personally do not agree with your method. I always encourage people to begin with an initial breathing rate of ABOVE 10 BPM then gradually work their way down to a comfortable breathing rate. As you said and as I know as a fact, MOST people are NOT comfortable with a rate that low. Actually, if an average person would TRY to breathe that low, it would require extreme effort and concentration, which is the exact opposite of what the Resperate experience should be.

Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

I'm sure you're correct. BUT, if someone has tried all the initial suggestions, and they don't work, this may be another option worth trying.