There are many techniques you can use in meditation to help get into your breath and allow your body to gain oxygen for brain increasing functions and increasing your awareness. Allowing you to become aware and conscious of your thoughts, emotions and actions to help you master mediation easily. Learning breathing techniques can also help you relax and unwind at the end of a hard day.

Getting oxygen to the brain is the most important function as without oxygenating your processor of your thoughts, emotions and action. You will be scattered and without direction, most people use exercise as there source which would be a great addition to meditation as this will get your heart muscles work as well.

Relaxation when your sitting down after a hard days work can also be a great benefit for learning breathing techniques. While your watching TV you may practice these techniques to relieve daily stresses and calm the mind body and spirit. You will have a relaxing restful sleep or while driving to work and your stuck in traffic is also a good time to practise breathing and relaxation and releasing the frustration.

Using your breath for stress relief can be beneficial especially when there is a deadline. Spend the five minutes you don't have and take enough oxygen into your body to think clearly and concisely. This will give you the added insight to recover and rejuvenate the mind and that 5 minutes you just spent gave you and extra hour to get the deadline done and on time. Believe it when I say time spent rejuvenating will make you 20 times more efficient. (note: times may differ per individual)

Breathing to relax can be a simple process some days and other days you may find it hard to relax by just breathing and all you need to do is focus on your breath and get into your own zone and after a while you will just do it naturally.

Breath deeply filling your lungs. Breathing out up from your abdomen.
Begin to breath in quick succession like puffing after a long run.
The basics is letting air in and out as quickly as you can, this can be very calming and also energizing your mind, do this for approximately 2 minutes at a time, then begin to breath normally again until you feel like your unwinding, repeat until you achieve a state that you are happy with.

Start of with filling your lungs slowly and gently as to not begin breathing rapidly.
Gently slow down your breath until it is slow smooth and consistent.
Slowing down to a slow shallow breath.
This technique will bring you into an a dreaming state while you are awake and it will keep you relaxed through meditation and can make you warm and fuzzy or cold but comfortable so make sure there is a blanket on standby.

Breathe deeply and exhaling make a sound like a small ocean wave crashing to shore in your throat.
While exhaling through your mouth, your mouth can be open or closed.
The sound of the ocean waves washing ashore by the sound of your breath is very relaxing and without music.
You can can listen to the sound of your own breath as you fall into a meditative state and imagine sunning your self on the beach.

Breath in slowly and deeply filling your lungs.
Hold for 2 to 10 seconds or longer if you wish and slowly release your breath through your mouth.
This is good for concentration and well being and also for relaxing and getting yourself into a meditative state.
Most say 3 times though you may do as much as it helps you relax and clear your mind and relax your body.
This is the similar to deep breath and it also oxygenates your blood giving your mind clarity

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Choose a tranquil location - one free from distractions.
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Decide whether you'd like to have meditation music in the background.
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Select a comfortable chair or place to sit, and assume a sitting position with your spine relatively straight.
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Close your eyes.
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Breathe in, allowing your rib cage and belly to expand as you inhale.
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Exhale slowly.
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Concentrate on your breathing. Be aware of each breath and the feelings of deeper relaxation.
8
Allow thoughts and feelings to enter your mind. Acknowledge them, allow them to pass, and refocus on your breathing.
9
Open your eyes after you feel more relaxed and centered

Originally Posted by haru19

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8
Allow thoughts and feelings to enter your mind. Acknowledge them, allow them to pass, and refocus on your breathing.

I've heard this practice referred to as "detachment meditation." It's been very powerful for me. I believe it trains your consciousness to detach your state of wellbeing from external circumstances and conditions, among many other benefits, of course.