Guest blog: The Origins Of Breathwork And Its Healing Power 

Breath is Spirit (the essence of life), which is why it’s considered the center of numerous spiritual, religious, and self-defense traditions such as Buddhism, Sufism, Martial Arts, QiGong, Taoism, Hinduism, Shamanism, and Yoga.

Breath means prana (aka air, breath, and sacred life) in Indian culture; Pneuma in Greek traditions; Ruach in Hebrew literature; Chi or Qi in Chinese culture, meaning life force energy; and Ki in Japanese tradition.

Breathwork as a healing tool liberateyourself.com and meditative practice has been going on for thousands of years. It has not only been considered the fundamental component of how one lives their life, but what keeps one in rhythm and balanced in activities such as sports, asanas, meditation, martial arts, and self-defense.

Your breathing rhythm is the grounds of your emotional and mental state in the physical body – so come to think of the pace of your breathing. If your breath is fast, short, and rigid, your mind and emotions are more than likely going to be out of whack. If steady and deep breaths, your mind and emotions are also going to be poised and even.

We hold our breath (retain airflow) when:

• in fear

• anxious

• tense

• angry

• worried

• excited (one can maintain a state of pleasure without

We breathe freely when:

• in joy

• calm

• relaxed

• conscious

• focused

Think about it: breath keeps one alive in the physical body, and when there is a lack of air/oxygen, the living body regresses. The body feels hindered when one holds the breath, and the body feels expansive and gracious when in a state of relaxation, ease, and peace.

The healing power of the breath is often deprecated, but it has accomplished countless miracles such as:

• A sense of optimum health and vitality

• Less sleep, but more rest

• A grander state of presence and focus

• Clarity

• Synchronicities

• A boost in opportunities and financial resources

• A more profound connection in all relationships – with people, nature, body, work, etc.

Breath is inevitable, but the practice of breathwork helps make one aware of their breathing habits(which are often unconscious). If one cannot maintain a rhythmic breath in daily life, how can one expect to succeed in any endeavour, and vice versa?

Breathwork guides one back to Spirit – and when one is tuned in with Spirit, one is capable of reaching new heights and consciously creating the life they desire.

Milli Prokop
Studio D Merchandise

Brandon Prokop
WaterField Designs