Through meditating people aim to develop inner peace, reduce anxiety and clear the mind. Key factors to effective meditation are deep concentration on self-awareness and removing external distractions, and proper breathing is the most natural and the easiest way to do that. Here are a few simple steps for improving your breathing:
Make yourself comfortable. Wear comfortable clothes that don't restrict your body movements. Feel free to support your practice with muffled light, candles and incense.
Sit down on the floor or on a chair. You can use cushions to feel more comfortable. Keep your back straight, but make sure you don't strain it too much: make sure your posture remains comfortable and relaxed at all times.
Close your eyes and start with a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will help you slow down, rid your body of tensions and let the anxious thoughts go out of your mind.
There is no "one" breathing pattern that works for everyone. Notice your breath, tune into it and listen to your body. Stick to your natural way of breathing. You may inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, or you can breathe using the mouth OR the nose only.
Notice the breath going in and out of your body. In the beginning, your mind may wander away from breathing, and that's fine. When it happens, bring your focus back to your breath.