Oxygen is THE key to energy, leanness, mental acuity, youthfulness, and fat burning. Anyone who has tried to hold their breath will realize that while you can live for weeks without food, and days without water, you will only last a matter of minutes without air. You need a well-developed cardiovascular system to make sure your body gets the oxygen needed to achieve these conditions. Strengthening your heart, your lungs, and your circulatory system with regular aerobic exercise will improve your oxygen delivery system. Cross-country skiing (which uses both upper and lower body) is the best aerobic exercise. Walking with Heavy Hands weights is as good without the need for snow! Click here for a detailed description with illustrations. Heavy Hands Walking is also a weight-bearing exercise which helps to avoid osteoporosis.

You might also look into Yoga. Learning and performing the postures associated with this ancient form of training will not only yield you a more flexible and toned body, but also an enhanced capacity for breath. Yoga is as much about learning to breathe as it is bending and stretching!