1. The way we breathe and 3SRB:
Firstly, our breathing is structurally shallow, since we do not use both upper and lower lobes of the chest, In other words, it is partial, and not total. Normally, we breathe from the lower lobe four chest. It is easier to do so as the rib cage being broader in lower lobe, permit easier movement of the lungs. With lower partial breathing, the intake of oxygen is less than needed by the body. By breathing fully and simultaneously from both upper and lower lobes we do not starve the body of needed oxygen. This in fact is the technique suggested by Patanjali in Three Step Rhythmic Breathing (3SRB).
Secondly, we must note that 3SRB not being an exercise, (except in the beginning stage) does not call for deep breathing. The quantum of breathing. and no special efforts need be made to make breathing deep or heavy. Because of total breathing, the intake of oxygen inspite of fewer cycles is not affected; in fact it is enhanced. Thirdly, 3SRB injects a rhythmic movement in the way we breathe by regulating breath cycles. Rhythm pervades the entire universe. If one observes the sea far out, and the waves riding on the surface of the water, one would notice a forward-backward rhythmic movement. Seasons have their own rhythm. An infant may breathe faster but the movement of his diaphragm is rhythmic. When disaster strikes a Yogi, he may meet the challenge appropriately at the action level but inside his respiratory system, the diaphragm will continue to move rhythmically. Lastly, the speed with which we breathe gradually becomes faster over the years due to excitement, anxiety and aggression fostered by a competitive and ruthless way of living.

This is not the case with infants and children, although infants breathe faster due to imperative growth. Nevertheless their breathing is rhythmic. Most of us breathe about 15 or more times a minute. In one day of 24 hours or 1440 minutes, we breathe about 21,600 times. We should slow down our speed of breathing as suggested by Patanjali and breathe 12 times a minute. Taking 5 seconds per very complete cycle of inhalation and exhalation, we would then breathe approximately 4,500 times a day less, thus saving an enormous amount of energy everyday of our remaining life. The total energy saved in this way is mind-boggling. What is not wasted is conserved. It would be interesting if scientists, interested in testing Patanjali’s proposition, would calculate, in some measurable units, the vast energy saved in this way by reducing the number of cycles of breath in 3SRB.

2. The impact of 3SRB on Body-Brain Functions:
The human cell is living entity. Each cell performs highly specialized functions with amazing intelligence. The cells in the stomach, pancreas, and
lungs and in the grey matter constituting the brain, all have specialized functions, carried out with complexity and precision that can be more than match the most sophisticated computer. Human beings, through non-use and wrong use, influence their performance in the direction of irregularity and pathology. Even when so disturbed, they have capacity to relearn their function. The intra and inter cell movement of blood cells as they flow through the receptors of the lungs can be re-educated to function with health and harmony through the impact of 3SRB.

Firstly, the total breathing imposed by 3SRB improves the very functions of the cells in depositing carbon-dioxide and imbibing oxygen. Thus energized continuously for 24 hours blood cells moving to al parts of the body, including the fine capillaries within the brain, provide the much needed adequate oxygen to the brain. Brain cells die if devoid of oxygen for more than a few minutes. Secondly, injecting rhythm facilitates the subsiding of turbulence in the river of thought. As the blood cells spurt along the journey of circulation and reach the lungs, they change their pulsating, movements due to the impact of 3SRB. Irregular pulsations, due to collection of emotional debris, pickup the rhythmic movement of breath in lungs by repeated visits. We are told the entire blood in the body circulates twice per minute through the lungs. Every time this happens, blood cells pick up the tempo and rhythm rhythmic breathing and transmit it to the brain cells. Thirdly, slow breathing cycles slow down movements of thought, and thereby assist clearer observation. Breathing is the function of the movement of the diaphragm, one of the most important organs in the body according to Yoga. We breathe in accordance with the movement of the diaphragm and it speeds determines that of breath. The movement of diaphragm is given the right speed through 3SRB. 

Since breathing and thinking are solely inter-woven, it follows a corollary that with a slower rhythmic breathing the movement of thought itself slows down. Every minute we think 7,200 thoughts. Continuous 3SRB reduces the rate of thinking to approximately 1,200 per minute or 20 per second thus permitting attention to be much sharper and clearer. Just as we can observe the movement of a game more clearly if projected on the screen in slow motion, we can be attentive to the movement of thoughts much more clearly if the speed of the flow of thoughts is reduced. 3SRB reduces the speed of thought from 120 per second to 20 per second, and thus enables us to observe our thinking with clarity. This leads as a corollary to the enhancements of attention.

3. Advantages of 3SRB:
1. Shallow and partial breathing becomes deep and whole. Correct amount of oxygen is thus supplied to the brain-body system. Inspite of the fact that the quantum of oxygen taken is normal.
2. The speed with which we breathe is slowed down from approximately 15 to 20 cycles per minute thereby saving 4,500 breath cycles per day -an enormous
saving of energy day in and day out. 3. Rhythm and order are injected into the breathing system thereby quieting and relaxing the river of thought within the brain. This leads to stress reduction and healthier and saner living.
4. The slowing of breath reduces the rate of thinking from 7,200 thoughts to 1,200 per minute or 20 per second, permitting much clearer observation of the process of thinking.
5. 3SRB helps us unfold natural moral value and hence refine thinking process. If there is freedom from past and present social conditioning consciously brought about, then 3SRB a state of quietism in which the brain centers evolve into their natural functions without interventions.
6. 3SRB opens up possibility if receiving a new source of energy from the astral body by synchronizing the time, rhythm and cycle breathing with astral body’s prana intake.
All the above benefits are woven unto a process of breathing which can continue for 24 hours a day without outside help. Patanjali considers this as one of the most important benefits.

3SRB Method
Let us now understand the actual method of 3SRB. There are three facets to it.
Technique:
Normally we breathe partially and mainly from lower lobe. In 3SRB breathing is done with both lobes functioning simultaneously. This is total breathing. To start with, lie flat, keep a relatively heavy book on each of the upper and lower lobes and ensure simultaneous breathing by both lobes. In other words, both lobes must rise and fall at the same time and more or less in equal measures as you breathe in and out. Practice this for about four to five days.
Volume:
The quantum of air inhaled and exhaled must be what is usually normal with us- neither too deep nor too shallow. Only note that the exhalation should be slightly more forceful (not faster) than inhalation. After practicing for three or four days, go on to the next step.
Rhythm:
Our normal breathing varies from 14 to 20 cycles of breath per minute. The recommended breathing is 12 cycles of inhalation cum exhalation per minute. This means each cycle should not exceed five seconds (six pulse beats). The exact rhythm is inhaling and counting one, two, three seconds and exhaling counting five, six by seconds. Use a time watch to start with to ensure the suggested time pattern which is five seconds per completed cycle or 12 cycles per minute. This technique has been accepted by the Committee of Psychoneuro Immunologists. (U.S.A.)