In our highly competitive world sports performance is highly prized. For many it becomes the equivalent of their full time job and career. The primary goal of every athlete is to achieve his or her absolute potential. An important determinant of whether this will be possible is our breathing pattern. A poor breathing pattern will: limit oxygen exchange; increase the production of lactic acid and subsequently leave the athlete with residual muscle soreness; increase dehydration; increase the occurrence of cramp; increase recovery time; elevate the heart rate; increase baseline anxiety; contribute to poor sleep patterns. The aim of the Buteyko Institute Method program is to normalise the breathing pattern. When the body is working within its physiologically normal parameters it can work at its optimum.