2. Breath is the creator of space.

Still with me?

Once you have achieved this smooth and even 'in' and 'out' breath, and this may take many days or weeks, we can progress to the next steps.

Ratios were never a strong point but this is a simple one. If you regard the 'in' and 'out' breath as 1:1, as in an equal count of say 'in', 2, 3, 4 - 'out', 2, 3, 4 etc we know the in:out ratio to be 4:4 (I breathe in for a count of four and out for a count of four).

This is then added to by creating a space between the 'in' and 'out'. So for example:

• 'in', 2, 3, 4 
• hold the 'in' breath for 1 count 
• 'out', 2, 3, 4 
• hold the 'out' breath for 1 count. 

Our ratio is now 4:1:4:1 as to the length of the count on the 'in':'hold':'out':'hold'. If the length of your 'in' and 'out' count is longer then the ratio will be different i.e. 5:1:5:1 or 6:1:6:1 etc, but hopefully the basic understanding is there.

The creation of the space or the 'hold' count is now something we can work with...BUT it is not easy, so do not rush any phase of this and remember the warning on the first page, YOU need to look after your health first and foremost.

Working with the 'in':'hold:'out' breath initially, probably because it is easier, we can begin to extend the 'hold' on the 'in' phase. Initially, and we will take the count as 4 just as an example, 4:1:4:1 is the starting point, that is with practice then extended to 4:2:4:1, then 4:3:4:1 and finally 4:4:4:1. 

• 'in', 2, 3, 4 
• hold the 'in' breath for, 2, 3, 4  
• 'out', 2, 3, 4 
• hold the 'out' breath for 1 count

=4:4:4:1

Holding on the 'in' breath is easier at this stage but will need to be developed over time and not jumped into feet first!

If you are sticking with this, well done. Next we will begin to extend the 'out' hold and this is the tricky bit!