breath

Breath

The master yogis knew and shared the wisdom of the breath and breathing as a path to Self-Realisation, the alchemical spiritual evolution of the human body and psyche.

The first step on this journey, I find, is to start having a loving relationship with our breath.

On these videos I invite you to breathe a bit deeper than a moment ago.

 

Definition of breath relevant to our Yoga practice

Air inhaled and exhaled in breathing.

 

Definition of breathing relevant to our Yoga practice

: to draw air into and expel it from the lungs: respire

Broadly: to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes

b: to inhale and exhale freely

 

Read also:

Breath-Work

Prana

PranaYama

 

Read below for further Merriam-Webster dictionary definitions that are just as interesting, if not altogether relevant, for our topic of Yoga. Although I do find that Yoga practice (sadhana) is like a “breath of fresh air’’ in the day, or you might find yourself “living and breathing” your sadhana :-D.

We all breathe, yet many of us do not use our breath consciously to improve our well-being, our state of mind, our digestion, our mood, etc. We can all learn to breathe better than we already do, and it only takes practice. See scrolls on Breath-Work, Prana and Pranayama.

Breath practice in Yoga can be done through movements (Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga), can be done sitting or lying down in stillness, or can even be the object of meditation practice. Breath practice and meditation practice are not always the same thing. Breath practices are meditative. Yet breath, when used as a tool of meditation, serves another purpose. In this case the breath is not actively moved this way or that as it is in Breath-Work. Natural breathing is the foundation breath to observe for both breath-work and meditation techniques.

Guided free breath meditation online with Mithila. Click image.

More from Merriam-Webster on breath and breathing

breath noun

\ ˈbreth

Definition of breath

1a
: air filled with a fragrance or odour

b: a slight indication: suggestion
the faintest breath of scandal

2a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering his breath after the race

b: an act of breathing
fought to the last breath

c: opportunity or time to breathe: respite

3
: a slight breeze

4a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath

b: something (such as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing

c: inhalation

5
: a spoken sound: utterance

6
: spirit, animation

breath of fresh air
: a welcome or refreshing change

in one breath or in the same breath
: almost simultaneously

out of breath
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)

under one's breath
: so as to be barely audible
mumbled something under his breath

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breathe

breathed; breathing

Definition of breathe

intransitive verb

1a
: to draw air into and expel it from the lungs: respire

Broadly: to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes

b: to inhale and exhale freely

2
: to blow softly

3
: live

4
: to pause and rest before continuing

5
: to feel free of restraint
needs room to breathe

6a
: to permit passage of air or vapour
a fabric that breathes

b: of an internal combustion engine: to use air to support combustion

c: to be cooled or dried by air that passes by or through
clothing that allows your skin to breathe

7
: of wine: to develop flavour and bouquet by exposure to air

8a
: to become perceptible: be expressed
a personality that breathes and that distinguishes his work — Bennett Schiff

b obsolete: to emit a fragrance or aura

transitive verb

1
: to inhale and exhale
breathe air

2a
: to send out by exhaling

b: to instil by or as if by breathing
breathe new life into the movement

3
: to take in in breathing
breathe the scent of pines

4a
: utter, express
don’t breathe a word of it to anyone

b: to make manifest: evince
the novel breathes despair

5
: to give rest from exertion to

6
: to spend a great deal of time, thought, or effort on (something): to be wholly devoted to (some interest or activity)

The Virginia native may not breathe basketball 24-7… but during games and practice, his focus is second to none.
— Robbi Pickeral

As with visiting companies, one of the key reasons for going to conferences is to avoid the tunnel vision that can overcome managers who live and breathe their business.
— Leslie Brokaw

breathe down one's neck

1: to threaten especially in attack or pursuit

2: to keep one under close or constant surveillance
parents always breathing down his neck

breathe easy / breathe easier / breathe easily / breathe freely

: to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)