Free Flow Breath or Controlled Breath?

[Peter]

I certainly agree with Jon's advice.

I'd like to add:

It doesn't matter that you're influencing your breathing by being aware of it. This is totally normal. In this exercise, just don't do it on purpose.

As another excercise, it is also perfectly fine to breath a certain way on purpose (e.g. box breathing) , and to try to stay aware of your breath and maybe, when you can, of what it does.

I do both meditations often. Each has it's own value.

[piedwagtail91]

I use both, mainly because I practice yoga. I feel it's being present and letting go of thoughts as they arise that's more important.