Overview
Every individual has a unique natural breathing pace that feels most comfortable. HeartMath Breathing Pacers are designed to be flexible—while they start at a default rate (approx. 8–10 breaths per minute), they are meant to be adjusted to your personal preference to maximize your coherence scores.
Adjusting the Pace in emWave PRO
There are two primary ways to customize the pacer in the emWave PRO software:
-
Quick Adjustments: Click the + or – symbols on the session screen to speed up or slow down the pacer in increments of 0.5 seconds.
-
Precise Customization: Click directly on the Breath Cycle Time numerical display. A small window will open where you can type in an exact value (e.g., 9.3 seconds) for a perfectly tailored experience.
Adjusting the Pace in emWave2
-
Software Mode: Navigate to Edit at the top of the application and select Edit User’s Breath Cycle Time. Note that a larger number results in slower breathing, while a smaller number results in faster breathing.
-
Handheld Mode (Unplugged): You cannot manually adjust the pace on the physical device. However, if you maintain Medium or High coherence for 60+ seconds, the pacer will automatically begin to “learn” and adapt to your natural rhythm after the first 2 minutes of your session.
Choosing Your Pacer in Inner Balance
Inner Balance offers three distinct visual styles to suit your focus:
-
The Mandala: The default view. Inhale as the pattern contracts and exhale as it expands.
-
The Chaser: A vertical bar view. Inhale as the bars rise and exhale as they lower.
-
The Moving Ball: A horizontal guide that appears at the top of the screen when navigating other app views. It slides from side to side at your set breath rate.
To change the rate: Go to Settings (Gear icon). The default is 10 (a 5-second inhale and 5-second exhale). Increasing the number increases the number of breaths you take per minute.
Key Scientific Note
While the visual pacers are helpful, the most important factor is finding a steady, relaxed pace that feels natural to you. You do not need to follow the pacer perfectly if it feels forced; simply synchronize your breathing as closely as possible without creating strain.