This may sound a bit odd, but I find using a snorkel helps me concentrate on relaxed breathing and getting fluidity to my form. To me the question of breathing, strokes and alternating sides and shouldn't be overanalyzed. It is like dance. Everything has to work together rhythmically and gracefully. If you look at Olympic swimmers, you will note a variety of styles of breathing and body position. If there is a "right" and "wrong" style of swimming, you would expect that everyone would have identical strokes.

Have fun.

The Swimming Swami