Breath gives life.

This week we consider the religious view point of breath. In New Zealand, we are all about to have four days off for Easter. As BradCliff practitioners, the foundation of our work, assessment and treatment of breathing comes very much from a medical, scientific viewpoint. We do not subscribe to any philosophy or religion.

In the religious literature, there is much reference to the breath and in many world religions or spiritual practices, breathing or respiratory exercises are part of the rituals.

This week Christians celebrate Easter. Within the Christian faith and most faiths globally, the breath is regularly referred to. Breath is what Jesus gave his disciples, and those who followed him, with his breath allowing the spirit to live on.

He breathed on them and said to them Receive the Holy Spirit. – John 20:22

In the medical profession, all words surrounding respiration and the lungs often start with pneuma i.e. pneuma thorax, pneumonia. Pneuma is Greek for breath and from a religious context ‘sprit’ or soul. Pneuma in the Christian and Judaic context is a common word for spirit. Prana is the Sanskrit (Hindu view) word for life force, the vital energy that flows through us with each breath. Chinese refer to qi and Polynesian to mana.

What do the great philosophers have to say about breath?

We address this in next week’s blog post. We all breathe, so let’s breathe well this Easter.