The Incredible Healing Power of Breath

By Judi Murfin, Fall 2024 / Pranayama Issue (CEU Credits Available!)

n this article, we will unlock the power that the breath has to heal. The value of proper breathing is underestimated and underused. So, with some anatomy, physiology, and breathing techniques, or pranayama, you will better understand why the breath is important to our health and spiritual wellness. Though our modern-day world is catching up and understanding the benefits of breathing better, the ancient wisdom of the Bible and history show us that there has always been an importance placed on the breath. Let’s take a deep dive as we 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 from dust from the ground. (Genesis 2:7)  Breath is life. It marks our independence from our mothers as we enter the world and is the final curtain call into the next with our Creator. Our very breath is a pronouncement of the calling of God. YHWH (or Yahweh) is an unspoken praise at every breath. Inhale, YH; Exhale, WH. The ancient people of God thought it was too sacred to even say his name. Elihu spoke to Job about the connection between God and man in the book of Job. 

       The Spirit of God has made me: the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 

Our breath is life-giving, sustained by God, and constantly connects us to Him. 

BREATH IN HISTORY

Stepping back into history, we can look at what cultures worldwide have known about breathing for thousands of years. In Hebrew culture, the word Ruach is used and found in the Holy Scripture and means breath of God: wind, Spirit, life, and the 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 breath in Greco-Arabic cultures, and it also means air, breath, life force, and energy.

See also  The Secret to Slowing Your Breath

Breathe deeply and see what powerful benefits emerge for you. 

REFERENCES: 

1. Andrew Huberman February 19, 2023 Podcast

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 update 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 that underlies 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 wellness. Each and every class, I invite God to go before me to lead my words and feet in the  hope to shine His light in my practice. 

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