A Deacon bases his rhythmic time upon a unit corresponding with the beat of his heart.
The heart beat varies in different persons, but the heart beat unit of each person is a proper rhythmic standard for that particular individual in her rhythmic breathing. .
Determine your your normal heart beat, by placing your fingers on the under side of your wrist (just like in the movies), and then count: “1,2,3,4,5,6; 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc., until the rhythm becomes firmly fixed in your mind.
A little practice will fix the rhythm, so that you will be able to easily reproduce it.
The beginner usually inhales in about six pulse units, but she will be able to greatly increase this by practice.