From the Winter 2024 Issue of Christian Yoga Magazine
Yoga, as documented by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, is an eight-fold path of guiding principles–or limbs–known as ashtanga in Sanskrit. These guidelines seek to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit and teach us how to live meaningfully and purposefully. Just as the principles of Biblical wisdom literature act as guidelines for Christians, these eight limbs serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline. Each limb addresses a part of how yoga integrates your body, mind, and spirit.
This article focuses on the fourth limb – pranayama – defined as breath or life force. Pranayama is moving energy around your body by using your breath. In the yogic tradition, the energy you’re moving around with your breath isn’t just oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is the vital cosmic energy in all life. The same is implied in the Bible as well. As Christians, we also see breath as our life force. The moment God first breathed his breath into Adam, he became a living, breathing being – he became human (Genesis 2:7).Â
Breath is also closely connected to the Spirit of God. The words ruah (Hebrew), pneuma (Greek), and spiritus (Latin) are used interchangeably to mean breath, spirit, life force, and the wind of God. In Ezekial 37:9-10 we read that the word ruah, or life force of God, is what brings the dry bones back to life. In the Gospels (Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:37-39 and John 19:30), we can see the connections between breath, voice, life, and spirit in the narrative of Christ’s crucifixion. As Jesus cried out, he voluntarily breathed his last breath and released his spirit from his body (he gave up his life). Without the breath, there is no voice, and there is no life.
What it is
Breath is the foundation for life because our bodies cannot live without it. It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we die. Understanding how breathing works gives context for understanding how our pranayama practice can be used daily.
Dana Jalovick
 Dana is a YOGAFAITH Yoga Therapist (R-IAYT) specializing in trauma intervention and recovery, and yoga for scoliosis. She lives in central Pennsylvania. EMAIL: dana.jalovick@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.livemovebreatheyoga.com: Living and Moving in congruence with Christ; Being fully alive and aligned in mind, body, and spirit (Acts 17:28)