Breathwork, the practice of consciously controlling one’s breathing, is far from a modern invention. Rooted in ancient traditions, it has been used across cultures for thousands of years to influence mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From the disciplined breathing exercises of ancient yogis in India to the energy-focused practices of Taoism in China, breathwork has long been recognized as a tool for healing, balance, and transformation. This time-tested practice continues to offer profound benefits in today’s fast-paced world, bridging ancient wisdom with modern life.
Why Breathwork Is Good
How we breathe is intrinsically and intimately connected to how we live our daily lives. Think about your own breathing and how it changes during the day.
When you get excited, you tend to breathe faster. Breathing more slowly is a sign that you are calm and relaxed. Most don’t even think about it. We allow our current mental and emotional state to determine how we breathe. Breathwork does just the opposite. It emphasizes controlled breathing so as to influence one’s mental and emotional state.
Do you remember a time when, as a child, one of your parents told you to ‘stop and take a breath’ because you were upset about something? The suggestion wasn’t just an old wife’s tale. Humanity has known for a long time that exercising control breathing can alter one’s mental and emotional state.
Modern Breathwork’s Ancient Roots
Here are a few examples of how breathwork has been utilized in times past:
India (Pranayama)
Pranayama is a component of ancient yoga. It originated thousands of years ago in India. The word itself relates to a combination of energy and control. To take full advantage of pranayama, ancient yogis developed dozens of different controlled breathing exercises. Each one was intended to achieve a specific state of mind.
China (Taoism)
Ancient Taoist practices in China incorporated breathwork as a means of better controlling energy. The goal was to create a link between mind, body, and the energy that flowed through both by taking conscious control over one’s breathing.
South America (Shamanism)
Ancient South American shamans relied on breathwork as a tool for healing. Their counterparts in Australia and Africa also did so. Controlled breathing was appreciated for its ability to heighten the consciousness and access the spirit, leading to mental, emotional, and physical healing.
Interestingly, aboriginal shamans in Australia developed a practice of incorporating breathwork into playing the didgeridoo. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been.
Greece (Phren)
Greek history references a concept known as ‘phren’. Like all the other previously mentioned cultures, phren was all about controlling one’s breathing in order to make a stronger connection between mind and emotions. Similar practices were found in ancient Egypt. Two of the well-known breathwork practices in Egyptian culture were Heka and Sekhem.
Modern culture tends to think of things like breathwork and sound healing as comparatively new, perhaps dating back to the 1960s. But most such practices have their roots in ancient wisdom. Breathwork goes back thousands of years.
Breathwork’s enduring presence across cultures and centuries speaks to its profound impact on the human experience. Whether used for healing, relaxation, or spiritual connection, the practice of controlled breathing remains a powerful tool for achieving balance and enhancing well-being. By integrating these ancient techniques into our modern lives, we can harness their timeless wisdom to navigate stress, improve mindfulness, and foster a deeper connection with ourselves.
