Breathing is the rhythm of our life and an indicator of our mental and emotional state. Balance and composure is important. Any fluctuation in our emotional state coming from anger, resentments, fear, guilt, unforgiveness etc. effects our inhalation and exhalation.
When negative thoughts particularly linked to our security, our self-esteem and attachments occupy our mind the inflow and outflow of our breath gets immediately affected. It becomes too fast, too deep or shallow; we find it difficult to exhale and feel as if the breath is stuck in our chest.
Practicing mindfulness of the breath detaches us from our mental and emotional state and gives us balance and composure.