Breathing "trouble" During Meditation.

[DawnOfReality]

Hi folks.

I have been meditating for some months now although not always consistently.

During this period though, I noticed that if I focus on my breathing I feel a sort of disturbing sensation, like if I couldn't breath well or more deeper. But I noticed that If I don't focus on it and don't consciously breath, it all goes fine and I can focus on my body/external experiences.

What might this be? How do I fix it? I could allow it, maybe, but I just feel like it is distracting me much.

Also, quite related to that problem is that If I meditate before going to sleep, then I can't sleep anymore, no matter how tired I am. I keep being aware of everything (like my breath, having btw the same effect I described) and can't really get asleep.

Anyone experienced something similar?

Cheers

 

 

[Toby]

This is normal to some degree. With time it relaxes. You could also focus on something else if that works better. Also you could experiment with eyes open and closed if that relaxes it a bit.

[Arman]

There are certain muscular contractions or blockages/areas of tightness in our bodies, usually due to emotional and developmental traumas. It's possible that this is what you are experiencing. For the most part they are unconscious but meditation can bring them to the surface. Tightness and awkwardness in the breathing is not uncommon. There is no quick fix - these things are dissolved slowly through awareness. Takes some time. It may be challenging on your meditation, but challenge is not necessarily a bad thing. By being with these sensations, you are undoing long-held physiological programming and it has far reaching effects on well-being.

In regards to difficulty sleeping, meditation can be very energetically stimulating. I personally cannot meditate before sleeping or I have trouble falling asleep, and then when I do sleep, it will be a very uneasy experience through the night. The most simple solution and the advice that was given is to simply make do your evening practice earlier in order to allow the temporary 'buzz' of the practice to subside.  Try late afternoon. I also suggest that after you do your meditation, you lay down for ten minutes to rest. This might seem funny as meditation in itself can be seen as restful, but it can also be highly stimulating. Ten minutes of laying down in an unfocused and gentle way can help relax these energies and prevent being sensitivity later. If you're finding it difficult to practice earlier because of work constraints or otherwise, you may also have to experiment with shortening the practice to find a balance that works. If you're having difficult sleeping, there's probably already a lot shifting within. 

[DawnOfReality]

Thanks a lot, both. I usually do it after my workout session in the late afternoon, but sometimes, if I'm trying not to skip my meditation during a very busy day I do it before sleeping and it has that effect. "Good" to know I am not the only one, as I was expecting anyway. 

I will take in account all that and keep being mindful of my breathing tightness.