Currently having noticeable Breathing Problems

[xkyh]

Hello community,

I've been meditating nearly daily (sometimes twice daily) for around 4 months now. Recently (not sure exactly when), I noticed that when I meditate I experience some trouble breathing.

It manifests itself as a form of near breathlessness when my breath gets 'caught' in my throat region, like there's a tense blockage near the base of my neck. I usually have to take a deep breath and exhale to force it down, and then I get a clear breathing passage for a while.

This is quite troublesome because it prevents me from fully relaxing into the meditative state. I feel my state wavering up and down because I am constantly pulled from being present into 'dealing' with the breath problem.

Any suggestions? My posture is just sitting down on a chair, or on my bed/cushion, and I use a combination of mantra and breath, depending on the situation. I've decided to revert back to Lifeflow level 10 once again since I'm beginning to doubt whether the time spent on lifeflow 9 and 8 is truly productive as I have had the problem since that time.

I also notice that this tenseness causes my breath to become naturally shallow as I meditate. I find that I have to 'consciously' breathe in order to breathe without my breath becoming shallow, which is distracting.

To clarify, I am also in good shape, so I don't think it's a lungs issue.

Any experienced meditators willing to share what's going on?

regards
Xavier

[Panthau]

Hi,

I would allow myself to fall into this sensation, to experience it concious, because its there for a reason. Accept it to its fullest and let it show you what it wants to express.

As always, my 5 cents

Atb,
Phil

[Ramai]

Hi Xavier,
I was waiting for the experienced meditators to answer you as I also have experienced something similar to what you described. Until they answer I will share what works for me.
When I notice that my breath becomes somewhat shallow I slowly move my head into a different position as if I want to look at the floor using my nose as a pointer. I have a big pointer so it comes easy to me 
Another thing I sometimes do is to visualise I am breathing like the ocean in a calm day. I hope this helps.
Love,
Ramai

[bondzai]

Well I have noticed Level 10 affects my breathing which is encouraging to me because it means its working. My breathing becomes very slow steady and sometimes stops and this also has happened to me in deep meditation before using Lifeflow. In Yoga it is called Kumbhaka. (suspension of breath). For me it is a sign it is working very well.