Here's a simple introductory breathing exercise to help you realize just one of the many benefits of Conscious Breathing. With guidance, you can learn and practice a multitude of other techniques that can help free your body, mind and spirit.

Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight and relaxed. Begin by following your breath with your mind's eye for a couple of minutes. Then with your inner voice begin focusing on the exhale as you say "breathe out," and with the inhale, "breathe in."

Then after a minute or two start saying with the exhale, "letting go" and just release the exhale without pushing it out or hanging on to it. Next begin saying "letting in" with the inhale. Keep this up for five minutes or more, "letting in, letting go" and then let your breath just be in its natural state. Observe your breath and how you are feeling.

There is a tendency when we become interested in improving our breathing to try too hard, thus creating more tension and stress. This tightness interferes with an easy, full and relaxed breath.

Try practicing this exercise every day and as you bcome more conscious of your breathing pattern, see if you can sense that your breathing is becoming more full and more relaxed.