Has anyone experimented with taking off the headphones and just meditating or doing visualizations on your own (Without the tones to guide you) with the belt on? I find that if I do this, I am much better able to relax and yet I still reach and stay within the target breathing zone.

The music and tones just distract me and I get so caught up in following them that I can tell I am tense. Any input or suggestions would be welcome. I did it this way last night and at the end felt very relaxed and dreamy and my breathing had dropped to around 3 bpm with no effort or strain.

Thanks!

Frances

I have a couple of times done this --- just watched the display. Seems to work fine, I noticed that the sessions weren't quite as beneficial as usual maybe lost a couple of BP points drop but still gave a strong positive result. I think it is the slow breathing and not the listening that makes the difference ... so as long as you relax, and breath slow ... you probably going to get a good result. I sometimes read while I'm doing this and cutting out the sound may be good way to get benefit too and not distract from reading.

Generally I like the sound, and on those days I don't want it, I just don't bother with head set.

To clarify, I have been taking off the headphones and closing my eyes. I only see at the end of the session what my breathing rate is. I just wonder how closely tied the results are to listening to the tones if I can relax and breathe slowly without effort on my own?

When you remove the headphones and breathe on your own you are actually telling your body to breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. This is actually breathing with effort. Although this IS relaxing, it will not give you a sustained lower blood pressure reading.
Humans have a natural tendency to follow musical rhythms. The RESPeRATE is guiding you through musical tones as you breathe accoridingly. This is what is called effortless breathing. This is what will give you a sustained reduction in your blood pressure.
Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:http://forum.resperate.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

of course the problem is the fact that you cannot set a lower BPM rate that the will not go below.

Excellent information.Many thanks!
Very informative indeed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)






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convert ipod video

thanks for this discussion.

I have been removing the earphones when I get dizzy/lightheaded after about 5 minutes of using resperate.

I did not realize that without the music I would be breathing with more effort and therefore not getting the benefit of resperate.

Any suggestion for how to counter the Lightheaded/dizziness?

Danny

If you are experiencing lightheadedness/dizziness, it's probably due to a lack of oxygen which may occur if you are not inhaling enough air for the prolonged exhale. This may happen if you are at a breathing rate that is too low, such as 5BPM or lower. Most people are comfortable between 6-8 BPM. Keep in mind that it is not a competition to see how low you can go. Comfort is key!
Breathe Easy!
Marguerite (IMG:http://forum.resperate.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

"When you remove the headphones and breathe on your own you are actually telling your body to breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. This is actually breathing with effort. Although this IS relaxing, it will not give you a sustained lower blood pressure reading.

Marguerite,

In which of the clinical studies referred to on the RESPeRATE website was this shown to be true. I thought I'd read them all. They point out the session lowering BP but I haven't read the study that speaks about proven sustained lowered BP due to the tones vs. unaided breathing.

Also, is RESPeRATE saying that one should see SUSTAINED lower BP within the trial period, all things being equal?

Thanks.

Billym