The average person takes between 15-18 breaths every minute, inhaling about half a litre of air with each inhalation. Of all necessities in life, breathing is our most immediate. Yet, we pay so little attention to it. In my mind, our breath is 'the essence of life'. It is the interface between our body and mind. We can go for about six weeks without food and for a few days without water. But without breathing we would not survive for more than a few minutes. Many ancient prac