@Eva Lönn I remember when I just started breath holding (a little over a year ago). I was just goofing around and didnt really know what I was doing, but wanted to try what freedivers did. I held somewhere between 1:00 and 1:30 on the first go. I tried breathing slowly and relaxing. I kept trying the days that followed and built up to 2:00. Then I got more serious and started doing a CO2 table 2-3 times a week. This gives noticeable results but is also quite strenuous and difficult to keep up in the long run. I like the habit of daily practice but taking it more slowly that Breathold Challenge proposes. It's a lot more durable in the long term.

@Bernardo Mateus great start!

@Mira S it's similar for me. From my yogic experience, whatever you do keep exhaling fully, do not take shortcuts there. Either put less resistance, but that could be a pity as you would feel less benefits. Or you try to slow down the inhale, to make it match the exhale. I suppose the goal is that these excercices relax you, so slowing down rather than hurrying seems like the way to go. In yoga class, I usually do 1 cycle of inhale-pause-exhale-pause when the rest of the group does 2. Better slow down and do it mindfully than try to hurry to meet the timing. A final option: I don't know how important the 1:1 ratio is here, but going with a longer exhale than the inhale will have the benefit of slowing down your heart rate further, which can only be good before a breath hold, right? ;) And else, maybe Rory has a better answer.

@Rory Phelan thanks for the kind words and great insights, a nice way of looking at it. That was my experience as well. While such records are incredibly rewarding, they demand quite a lot. Just like you wouldn't run a marathon every week, breathholding also requires that you pace and take good care of yourself. I prefer when I can approach it with a positive attitude and less as a competition. That means being happy with the result of the day and the fact that you did not skip on a session, and therefore cared for yourself. And as you say, even when you're not breathholding long times, you can maintain the mindset and positive effects by continuing other breathwork, meditation and relaxation, eg. coherent breathing (which I can really recommend to everyone! ;) in your daily routine. I will take the lukewarm coffee analogy to heart, I love it ;)

@Mihaela Iancu welcome! I wish you a lot of fun taking the challenge and discovering yourself in a new way. In this respect I find breath holding has a lot in common with yoga, it's a perfect addition to your yoga experience.