What does it mean when your write: He took a slow breath? In what situation do you take a slow breath? How do you take a slow breath? - sorry, I can't wrap my head around this
Whenever I read a book I write down sentences and words that I think is useful, but I didn't write down the context so I don't know. Why would the author mention that he breathe in slowly, is what I'd like to know. What's the significance?
One breathing technique used to prepare for a stressful, perhaps dangerous situation, is to breath in for 4 seconds, then out for 4 seconds. It slows the heart rate and can calm the mind. An author might use the phrase to show a character readying themselves, to show that they are in control and know what they are doing. Just a thought.
I have no idea, but imagine, for example, that you're nervous — so nervous you're shaking — and you want to calm down. You take a slow breath, right?
I guess you are right. Somehow the term taking a slow breath was hard getting my head wrapped around.
When hunting I pay attention to my breathing right before I shoot. I want my bow to be as still as possible when I loose the arrow, so I breath in slowing and release with the exhale. I don't know if anyone else does this, but it's how my parents taught me and what I taught my kids.
Everyone in this thread is now aware of their own breathing.... and how their tongue suddenly doesn't sit well in their mouths. Seriously though, probably just awkward wording for the sake of being dramatic. Would certainly be the inhale portion that was slow, but meh...
I dare you to not think of a purple elephant. Controlled breathing is used in all sorts of athletics. The concept shouldn't be difficult to understand but the wording could be better. I used to have all sort's of problems holding my breath during rifle competitions. I had to learn to exhale slowly as I was pulling the trigger.
I don't know about anyone else, but I do this if I'm facing something I'd rather not do, but have to.
A slow breath is what's been said above. Here is a link to the Oxford English dictionary and their definition of sigh. Dictionaries are writers' friends. They will always love you.
A slow breath is an intake of air; a sigh is an exhale. Of course, a slow breath might also include doing both an inhale and an exhale, but slowly. Come to think of it, you'd have to be there. Perhaps you could hang out somewhere where people are troubled and just... watch.
I don't see what's wrong with wording. It's a slow breath. It's literal. There's not much to be confused about.
I was thinking along the lines of He slowly inhaled and concentrated on his target. or She exhaled at controlled measured pace trying to keep her anger from boiling over at that fucking asshole. What was he thinking? That stupid piece of shit. She tried again... inhaling slowly, containing her rage.
I think of taking a slow breath as being a conscience decision to slow your breathing to calm yourself. When I shoot pool for example, I was taught to always take a slow breath before I shot so my hands don't shake. A sigh I think of more as a response to something that I don't like or is irritating me. Its more subliminal than a conscience effort.
On its own I read it as implying that the protagonist was using the pause given by the action of a slow breath to consider the next thing they were going to say or do. It gives the impression that some decision and thought has gone into what ever follows next.