These have been split into four sections for four different goals. 
1. Calming  OBPC6-20SpCB - Beginner to Intermediate 
2. Relaxed Focus  OBPRF22-40SpCB - Intermediate to Challenging
3. Energized Focus  OBPEF12-2SpCB  - Beginner to Challenging
4. Rapid Repeated Belly Breathing  R2B2

ADVANCED GUIDED ANIMATED EXERCISES

These have been separated into four sections for four different goals.

1. The Optimal Breathing^®Pace OBPC6-20SpCB 
   2. Relaxed Focus OBPRF22-40SpCB - Intermediate to Challenging
   3. Energized Focus. The Optimal Breathing^®Pace OBPR12-2SpCB
   4. Rapid Repeated Belly Breathing  R2B2
2. OPTIMAL BREATHING PACE for 
   ENERGY FOCUSING OBPEF12-2SpCB
   Practicing a certain kind of rapid shallow breathing that may be good for energized focusing and concentration.

The lower numbers starting from 12 down to 2 train for energizing and maintaining focus. The lower number one can maintain for 5 minutes or more while still in one's comfort zone is the primary marker of progress.  
ALERT: The lower numbers 12-2 may, if done incorrectly, cause hyperventilation and DIScomfort and should be ceased immediately.

It is fairly safe to say that if you can do 30 seconds per OBPEF Complete Breath using this technique for even a few 5 minutes without getting dizzy or out of breath you will reap tremendous benefits in energy management.  For accelerated progress try it hourly.

Benefits/Purposes/Goals:

• Allows for faster conscious breath rate without negative side effects such as over breathing or hyperventilation. 
  
  • Enhanced self regulation/control.
  
  • Improved focus and concentration.
• “A connected breathing rhythm induces a  mild altered state of consciousness that can produce heightened awareness, make unconscious material  more accessible, and facilitate more resourceful cognitive and emotional connections ” Jim Morningstar, PhD. Breakthrough With Breathwork.
  
  • Increased energy.
• Developing an energetic calm.
• Less need for sleep.
• Improved command of states of increased energy
• May help to sustain higher levels of blood pH/carbon dioxide balance during intense activity.
• Can increase blood plasma levels of carbon dioxide for improved oxygen 
  uptake to the hemoglobin.
• Should be able to be eventually practiced at OBPEF12-2 in the belly, mid or high chest as well. This may take weeks to months to years to achieve.

Shallow is a neutral word and these days used mostly as a negative for breathing. What we sometimes can utilize is a positive, properly functioning breath that is less-than instead of more-than.

Quiet does not work as quiet is simply resting breathing with no need for deeper breathing. I prefer held back but it seems to contradict words like larger, greater etc. and to be related more to shallow.

But as the illness model of hyper-ventilation needs a wellness model hyper-inhalation as its counterpoint, we need a word for a positive aspect of shallow or less-than; a conscious purposeful lessening of the breathing depth for a specific measurable positive result. Under-breathing if you will, but under-breathing for a positive purpose, as under-breathing might also implie a negative or not enough.

Hence our usage of held back, limited, paced or measured becomes a purposefully lessened breathing depth. This infers that sometimes less is more and relates more to my idea of conditioning and blood carbon dioxide levels than volume.

This falls into the world of advanced breathing development, but we do introduce it fairly well I believe and I will clarify it in the OBP2-40 series in this video. 

FIRST: LEARN THE OPTIMAL BREATHING WINDOW.
OBWINDOW  Get to where you can explain it to another.

The key is to STAY in the belly and within the 3-5  OBWINDOW and right on the edge of discomfort via hunger for air.

Get used to this one in its easiest form at OBP6, or 14 in the OBPC6-20  section.

The lower number one can maintain for 5 minutes or more while still in one's comfort zone is the major marker of progress.

"Should one always follow the end of a deep breath up in the chest - moving from deep in belly up to chest?"
Good question. No  The chest just fills by itself. Maintain mental emphasis on the lower trunk or foundation.  Never direct the breath upwards.  You do not have to blow up a balloon in parts. The air goes where there is least resistance. Use the strapping technique to open up the chest and it will fill by itself.

NEVER go below the OBWINDOW OF 3
Numbers indicate Seconds Per Complete Breath of Inhale, Exhale
OBPEF12SpCB	OBPEF8SpCB	OBPEF4SpCB	OBPEF2SpCB
You can actually measure this and be guided in real time using a biofeedback device we offer.  A state of the art instrument with many other functions as well as a paper trail and a way to train 8 people at the same time and keep a record of how each one is doing and make a lot of money doing that.  Many are making fortunes with this incredible stress management approach when combined with our Optimal Breathing Development program. An unbeatable combination. FATIGUE INSTEAD OF ENERGY? Rest or walk it off to integrate the energy. Move around a lot as with the other  energy exercises such as Optimal Hemisphere Integration..  If this repeats is may be something you need to address with professional  assistance such as an Optimal Breathing Coach, experienced breathworker,  somatic psychotherapist, medical qigong practitioner or teacher of Tai Chi  Chuan or Tai Chi Chih.  We offer private intensives at the Optimal Breathing House at a multiple hourly fee or phone assistance for a nominal per 15 minute fee. more about