Someone once asked...

How to practice meditation with breads (mala) I'm asthmatic and find focusing on my breath can be less than ideal (although perhaps that's reason to persevere?)

Someone answered with kindness...

I find inserting the beads can be somewhat uncomfortable at first, but once I get into a steady rhythm, pulling them out is incredibly pleasurable. My breathing gets pretty fast and I usually let out a moan. Persevering through this definitely paid off.