Breathing exercises are as old as civilization itself, having been incorporated into formal human exercise and relaxation routines thousands of years before the advent of the Roman Empire. It is impossible to determine precisely when ancient peoples first began to seek physical and spiritual enrichment using the same practice which, operating unconsciously, sustains life itself. But, much is known about some of the origins of this popular and soothing variety of gentle exercise.
Early Roots: Yoga
Breathing exercises are one of the three main anchors of yoga, the others being other exercises--e.g., stretching--and meditation. Yoga as a defined practice dates back at at least 5,000 years. Breath has always been considered in the yogic framework to be the source if life, and breathing exercises are designed to increase control over this vital function, leading to improved health of both the body and the mind.
Contrary to common belief, yoga was not created by Hindus, and in fact predates Hinduism.
Pranayama
Pranayama, which refers to yoga-style breathing, combines the words prana, which translates to "breathe forth," and ayama, which means "extend." Pranayama today is a specific kind of yoga. Though its exact origins are uncertain, they are believed to lie in Brahman priests who were passing along hymns and lore over 4,000 years ago as part of an oral tradition. This was before their wisdom was written in what is knows as Vedas. It is believed that in the course of singing hymns, these people learned to regulate their breathing in specific ways, setting the stage for pranayama.
Qijong
Qijong, also known as Chi Kung, originated in China sometime around 2,000 B.C. Originally oriented toward dancing as a means of combatting the joint pain and lassitude accompanying long periods of clouds and rain, it morphed into a practice in which movement and breathing patterns led to greater vitality and a stronger perceived sense of the relationship between self and nature. Animals are a major part of qijong's essence; "exhale and inhale to expel the stale and take in the fresh," "a bear twists its neck," or "a bird stretches its wings" are among its oldest guidelines.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in the mid-1900s, qijong has thrived greatly, and today is promoted as a means of health preservation and disease prevention.
Sudarshan Kriya
In contrast to most of the popular breathing exercises, sudarshan kriya came into being only recently. In 1980, Ravi Shankar, now a spirital leader and well-known humanitarian, embarked on a 10-day period of silence in Shimoga, India. When he emerged again, he claimed to have been the recipient of insights concerning "what to give and when to give." Now practiced by millions of people in pranayama and other disciplines, sudarshan kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath that harmonize the body, mind and emotions. The goal of this breathing technique is alleviating stress, fatigue and uncomfortable states of anger, frustration and depression.
