I've been meditating for 1.5 months now and have found some great benefits (less anxiety, less psychosomatic symptoms, less general stress, better awareness etc.).

This week I came across pranayama breathing exercises. Is it beneficial or necessary to pay attention to one's breathing outside and/or during NSR meditation? I can imagine that the answer to breathing control during meditation is no, since one should not force anything or add any extra stuff to the meditation. Also, it seems that breathing naturally normalizes and slows down during transcending, without any effort.

But outside meditation, I have found that when deliberately paying attention to and slowing down one's breathing during daily activities, there's an increased sense of calmness and tranquility. It's almost impossible to feel very anxious when the breathing is slow and complete (from the bottom of the lungs where the oxygen intake is most efficient).

Sam,

Your comments about breathing show great insight.

In general, we do not give advice about daily life, since everyone is different. If you feel moved to practice breathing exercises, that is fine. And as you point out, we never combine anything else with NSR.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA