Meaning of ratio 1:4:2 in breathing

by Misty
(Prairieville, LA, USA)

I don't understand this ratio. What is the inhalation count and exhalation count? I'm a beginner, so I'm not doing the retention yet, but that count would be good for future reference!

Answer

This is the ratio between the inhalation time, retention time and exhalation time during breathing. For example, let us say you are doing breathing by counting mentally during inhalation, retention and exhalation of breath.

Ratio of 1:4:2 (inhalation:retention
:exhalation) means that suppose you inhale in 2 counts, hold breath for 8 counts and exhale for 2 counts.

1-2 (two counts): inhale
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (eight counts): hold breath
1-2-3-4 (four counts): exhale

But it is strongly recommended not to hold breath unless learning pranayama from a teacher. Therefore for you, while doing pranayama without doing retention of breath, the ratio 1:4:2 reduces to 1:2
(inhale in 2 counts and exhale for 4 counts).

After sufficient practice you can increase the counts for inhalation and exhalation keeping the ratio as 1:2.
(inhale in 4 counts and exhale for 8 counts).

And with still more practice.
(inhale in 8 counts and exhale for 16 counts).

You can also keep count by monitoring time on a clock.