By Judi Murfin, Fall 2024 / Pranayama Issue (CEU Credits available!)
In this article, we will unleash the healing power of breath. The value of good breathing is underestimated and underutilized. So, with some anatomy, physiology and breathing techniques, or pranayama, you will better understand why breathing is important for our health and spiritual well-being. Although our modern world is catching up and understanding the benefits of better breathing, ancient wisdom from the Bible and history shows us that importance has always been placed on breathing. Let’s take an in-depth look at the powerful healing of pranayama.
BREATH AND GOD
When God created Adam, he breathed into his nostrils: THE breath of life, and Adam became a living being made of the dust of the ground. (Genesis 2:7) Breath is life. It marks our independence from our mothers as we enter the world and is the final reminder of our neighbor with our Creator. Our very breath is a declaration of God’s call. YHWH (or Yahweh) is unspoken praise with every breath. Inhale, YH; Exhale, WH God’s ancient people thought it was too sacred to even say his name. Elihu told Job about the connection between God and man in the book of Job.
The Spirit of God created me: the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Labor 33:4
Our breath is life-giving, sustained by God, and constantly connects us to Him.
A BREATH IN HISTORY
Looking back in history, we can examine what cultures around the world have known about breathing for thousands of years. In Hebrew culture, the word Ruach is used and found in the Holy Scriptures and means breath of God: wind, Spirit, life and essence of God. In Chinese culture, the word Qi has the same meaning as breath and means spirit in English. Pneuma is the name for respiration in Greco-Arabic cultures, and it also means air, breath, life force and energy.
Take a deep breath and see what powerful benefits emerge for you.
REFERENCES:
1. Andrew Huberman Podcast February 19, 2023
hubermanerlab.com/episode/how-to-breathe-correctly-for-optimal-health-mood-learning-and-performance
2. Andrea Watkins, LCSW Benefits of Deep Breathing Urban Balance
https://www.urbanbalance.com/benefits-deep-breathing
3. Frontiers of physiology Published online August 20, 2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7419684/#:~:text=As%20an%20indicator%20of%20cardiopulmonary,healthy%20physiological%20and%20psychological%20state.
4. Khechari Mudra In The Time Of Covid-19 COHERENCE, Vol 1, Issue 1 February 14, 2021, by Stephen Elliott, Life Scientist, (updated January 31, 2022
5. Teach me physiology, mechanics of breathing, Kamashi Padriajan, last updated July 16, 2023
https://teachmephysiology.com/respiratory-system/ventilation/mechanics-of-breathing
6. Phrenic nerve, Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
7. Mechanism behind local dopamine release in the brain, Science Daily, Harvard Medical School, March 24, 2022.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220324143742.htm#:~:text=The%20classic%20model%20of%20this,release%20that%20modulates%20everyday%20actions.
Judi Murfin, RYT-500, YACAP
My passion is health and spiritual well-being. In each class, I invite God to come before me to guide my words and my steps in hopes of shining His light in my practice.