Breathwork, the conscious control and manipulation of breathing patterns, has a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years. From ancient spiritual practices to modern scientific research, the power of breath has been recognized across cultures and disciplines. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating journey of breathwork through time.
India – Pranayama: The Yogic Science of Breath
Origin: The Indian subcontinent is often considered the cradle of formalized breathwork practices, dating as far back as 1500 BCE. The concept of ‘Prana’ (life force) and its control through breath has been a cornerstone of yoga and Ayurvedic traditions for millennia.
Cultural Context: Hindu and Yogic traditions – Pranayama, the Sanskrit term, which literally means “control of life force,” is one of the oldest and most comprehensive systems of breathwork. It forms one of the eight limbs of yoga as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (compiled around 400BCE) and is mentioned in Bhagavad Gita (written during a similar time). Closely tied to spiritual and philosophical concepts like prana (life force) and chakras (energy centers)
Key Techniques:
Ujjayi (Victorious Breath)
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
Bhastrika (bellows breath)
Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath)
Tibet and the Buddhist Traditions: Mindfulness of Breath
Origin : Beginning in India but moving across to Tibet where it became better known across various Buddhist traditions.
Cultural Context: Mindfulness can be traced back to the Buddha’s teachings (c. 5th century BCE), evolving differently in various Buddhist schools. However, awareness of breath is central to all meditation practices. Used as a tool for developing mindfulness and insight, rather than manipulating energy.
Key Techniques:
Anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing)
Zazen breathing in Zen Buddhism (Japan)
Tummo (See below)
Tummo: The Inner Fire Meditation (which is the foundation of Wim Hof Breathing)
Origin: Tibet, possibly dating back to the 11th century
Cultural Context: Tummo, also known as the “inner fire” meditation, is an advanced practice in the Six Yogas of Naropa. It involves a combination of breathing, visualization, and physical techniques to generate inner heat. This practice is renowned for allowing practitioners to withstand extreme cold and is said to lead to spiritual enlightenment.
Key Technique: Vase breathing – Deep abdominal breathing combined with visualization and muscle contractions.
China: Qi and the Art of Breath
Origin: In China, breathwork has been an essential component of traditional practices for thousands of years. It evolved alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine, with roots dating back to at least the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE).
Cultural Context: Chinese traditions view breath as a way to cultivate and circulate ‘qi’ or life energy. It’s often integrated with movement and meditation, emphasizing harmony between body, mind, and nature.
Key Techniques:
Taoist breathing emphasized the importance of breath in achieving longevity and spiritual harmony
Qi Gong combines breathing techniques with movement and meditation to cultivate qi (life energy)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Incorporated breathwork into healing practices, believing proper breath could balance the body’s energy.
Martial arts breathing (e.g., in Tai Chi)
Indigenous Cultures: Breath as a Sacred Act or Ritual
Origin: Many indigenous cultures view breath as a sacred connection between the individual, the community, and the natural world. They incorporate breathwork into spiritual and healing practices, with Breath as the universal connection to nature with origins that begin with the origins of the human race.
Cultural context: In many indigenous traditions, controlled breathing is an integral part of ceremonies where it’s used to induce altered states of consciousness and promote healing. Practices are passed down orally through generations, with some adapting to contemporary contexts.
Lakota Tradition: The phrase “Mitakuye Oyasin” (All are related) is often used in ceremonies, reminding participants of their connection to all life through breath.
Yoruba Traditions: Incorporate rhythmic breathing with drumming and dance.
Egyptian Practices: Ancient Egyptian medical texts mention breath control for healing purposes.
Australian Aboriginal Practices: Didgeridoo playing, which involves circular breathing, has been practiced for at least 1,500 years, serving both musical and medicinal purposes.
Universally: Sweat lodges, Ceremonial smoking, Vision Quests, Movement and Singing with Breathing control are common across many indigenous cultures
Ancient Greece: Pneuma and Philosophical Breath
Origin: Building on earlier traditions, the ancient Greeks also recognized the significance of breath in philosophy, health and spirituality, that they linked to the soul.
Cultural context: Pneuma meaning ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’, was central to ancient Greek medicine and philosophy. Herophilus, a Greek physician in the 3rd century BCE, studied the rhythm of the pulse in relation to musical theory and breathing, and Hippocrates (c. 460-370 BCE), discussed pneuma (breath/spirit) as vital to health and life. The Hippocratic Corpus (medical texts, attributed to Hippocrates and his followers – 5th-4th century BCE), discuss the importance of breathing patterns in diagnosis and treatment.
Stoic Practices: Stoic philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE), advocated for mindful breathing as a way to cultivate calmness and rational thought.
Middle Ages and Renaissance
Hesychasm
In the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, a practice called Hesychasm emerged around the 14th century. Monks used a form of breath prayer, synchronizing their breath with the repetition of the Jesus Prayer, aiming to achieve inner stillness and union with God.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Observations
During the Renaissance, the polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made detailed anatomical studies of the respiratory system. His work laid the groundwork for a more scientific understanding of breathing mechanics.
Modern Era – 19th Century to modern day
1827: William Buchan publishes “Domestic Medicine,” which includes advice on proper breathing for health.
1880s: Émile Coué develops a form of autosuggestion that incorporates breath awareness.
1920s: Dr. Johannes Heinrich Schultz develops Autogenic Training, incorporating breath awareness for relaxation.
1940s: Lamaze breathing for childbirth is developed
1950s: Buteyko Method – Developed by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko, this method was based on his observation that many health issues were related to over breathing. Initially developed to treat asthma, the Buteyko Method has since been applied to various respiratory and circulatory conditions. Technique: Reduced breathing: Consciously decreasing the volume of each breath
1960s-1970s: Psychedelics and breathwork – Created by psychiatrists Stanislav and Christina Grof as a non-drug alternative to achieve altered states of consciousness similar to those induced by psychedelic substances. Technique: Rapid, deep breathing combined with evocative music and bodywork. This practice aims to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness for personal growth and healing.
1970s: Dr. Herbert Benson researches the “relaxation response,” highlighting the role of breathing in stress reduction
1970s: Leonard Orr introduced Rebirthing Breathwork, focusing on continuous circular breathing. Technique: Conscious Connected Breathwork. Active inhale, passive exhale, through an open mouth with no pause at the top or bottom of the breath.
1970s: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn incorporates Buddhist breathing meditations into a secular, clinical setting.
1980s: Wim Hof Method – Dutch athlete Wim Hof popularized a breathwork technique combined with cold exposure, drawing on Tibetan Tummo meditation practices (See above)
1980s onwards: Integration of breathwork into various therapeutic modalities, including stress reduction and trauma healing.
Coherent Breathing: A Scientific Approach that originated in the United States, early 21st century as part of modern medical and psychological research. Developed by Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg, coherent breathing is based on research into heart rate variability and its impact on physical and mental health. Technique Breathing at a steady rate of about 5 breaths per minute. This technique aims to balance the autonomic nervous system and has been used in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
I’m sure I may have missed key developments along the way, and I’m happy to continue to update this article with any suggestions you make in the comments. Thank you for reading to the very end.
About the Author – Sharyn-With-A-Why
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