Oxygen is such an important element to life on our planet and although we can't live very long without it, many of us never give the air we breathe everyday a second thought.
Considering our reliance on air it seems amazing that most of what we breathe is polluted and that most of us are not very good at breathing.
Learning to breathe properly needs repetition and practice.
The air we take in is drawn into our lungs and from there enters into the bloodstream, and exchanged with carbon dioxide and breathed out.
If this important function is not carried out properly all our bodily systems suffer.
Your environment has a big impact on the quality of air you are taking in.
Surround your home with as many plants as you can, appreciate just how much polluting carbon dioxide a plant can turn into oxygen.
If you think the air inside your home is somehow cleaner than out in the traffic outdoors think again.
The home environment is full of polluting chemicals like plastics, paints, aerosol cleaners and air fresheners.
Try to use natural cleaning methods to lighten the chemical over load.
When busy or stressed our breathing tends to get shallow and rapid which can lead to hyperventilating.
Fortunately you can learn to slow down and start to breathe consciously; deep relaxation requires the slow rhythm of breathing properly.
To find how you breathe deeply lay flat on your back, place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.
Relax and let your lungs fill naturally you will feel your stomach fill imagine it expanding down to your toes and then as you breathe out let the stale air empty from deep within, it should be a smooth and regular movement.
All forms of yoga are based on posture, alignment, stillness and control of breathing.
Our bodies struggle to operate at optimal power without energizing deeper breathing therapy.