Science of Breath

No science can lay claim to a more ancient foundation than that of Breath. To breathe is to live; and without breath there in no life and the life of man lies mainly in air. Breathing may therefore be considered the most important of all the functions of the body, for all the other functions indeed depend upon it; and it is more ancient being the first physical act of all human beings coming into the World. So, Human machinery is set in motion and kept on going from the first faint breath of an infant to the last gasp of a dying man. Man is dependent not only upon breath for life but also upon the correct habit of breathing to have vitality and freedom from disease. An intelligent control of our breath will lengthen our days of life upon this earth of ours by giving us increased vitality and the powers of resisting all evils: but unintelligent and careless breathing will tend to shorten our days of life.

This secret divulged in Siddhar's Science is known "Breathing Habit" (வாசிப் பழக்கம்) (the practice of correct breathing). By breathing deeply we draw on the great Universal reservoir of life. As Nature's way is very simple and easy to follow it is perhaps often neglected as  of very little significance. If its true value were realized and people had enough persistence to take tor it and acquire the correct habit of breathing, they would soon observe in themselves a great difference all round and particularly in their health and even success in life is no exaggeration to say that the majority of the diseases arise through an ignorance of this secret of breath. Good health depends upon good blood and pure blood depends upon pure air. Therefore it is that the Hindu Yogis have always paid great attention to this Science of Breath. Man in his normal state has no need of instruction in breathing; but  it is civilization that has changed him in this as in other- respects. The savage to-day breathes naturally unless he has been contaminated by the habits of civilized men.

The occidental teachings show that the physical health depends very materially upon correct breathing. There are different phases of the Science of Breath the physical, the psychic, the mental and finally the spiritual. It is not necessary to dwell at length here on the esoteric or the physiological phase of the subject; for it is nothing but the theories of the Western scientific world regarding the functions of the respiratory organs and the part played by the breath in the human economy. The phase which we will now consider is the one of esoteric or the inner side. The esoteric meaning of breath is spoken of as Prana. Siddhars in all ages and lands have taught secretly to a few of their followers that in the air will be found the principle known as Prana .(Absolute Energy) from which all activity, vitality and life could be derived and how it could be advantageously taken in. It is the Universal Energy force from which all other energies or forces spring from; and it is also considered the active principle of life or vital force.Now coming to the practical side of breathing, it is necessary to point out the two ways of breathing commonly adopted by men viz., Mouth-breathing and Nostril-breathing. The breathing mechanism is so constructed in human beings that they may breathe either through the mouth or the nasal channel; but it is a matter of vital importance to know which method should be followed, because the former brings diseases and weakness and the latter, health and strength. The common habits of mouth-breathing in the civilized world is a dangerous and disgusting habit as many contagious diseases are contracted by it; but nostril-breathing with its protective apparatus serving as a filter or dust-catcher within the nostrils is of great importance in maintaining health; and it is a pre-requisite to basic breathing exercise underlying the Science of Breath.

Respiration is classified under four general methods viz : -
(1) High breathing or Clavicular or collar-bone breathing.
(2) Mid breathing or Rib breathing or Intercostal breathing.
(3) Low breathing or Deep or Diaphragmic breathing.
(4) Complete breathing or Yogic breathing.

No.1 is probably is the worst form of breathing; No.2 is less objectionable than and inferior to No.3 is better than 1 & 2; and many Western writers have extolled its merits and have exploited it under the name of ‘Abdominal breathing’; and No.4 is the best because it brings into play the entire respiratory apparatus and the diaphragm under perfect control and is able to yield the maximum service to the system. Further, it embraces all the advantageous features of the other three methods, in addition to the reciprocal advantages and the normal rhythm. This kind of  controlled breathing is the scientific method of charging oneself with vitality and Personal Magnetism; and it is known to the ancients as Pranayama. The three inevitable steps or processes in Pranayama are known as Purakam (inspiration), Rechakam (expirationl) and Kumbhakam (suppression) the details of which are fully dealth with under ‘Yoga and its philosophy’. This practice of complete breathing will make any man or woman immune to Consumption and other pulmonary troubles; and it will also do away with all possibility of contracting cold, and all bronchial and respiratory weakness. Imperfect breathing allows a great portion of the lungs to remain inactive and thereby offers an inviting field for bacilli which soon occupy it and play havoc with it and the entire system too, later on. The consumptives are addicted as a rule to unbecoming habits of breathing and consequently their chests do not develop and expand properly; and they are all therefore narrow-chested. Cold can be cured by properly regulated breathing and partial fasting. The stomach, the other organs of nutrition and even the nervous system suffer considerably from improper breathing.

By psychic breathing, the following advantages may be derived viz :-
thoughts may be projected, vital energy can be stored up, vitality can be transmitted to others deficient in it, water may be charged with Prana, desirable mental qualities may be acquired, undesirable ones eliminated, physical qualities may be acquired, any part of the body may be developed, undesirable emotions such as, fear, worry, anxiety, hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, melanoholy, excitement, greif etc. may be controlled and lastly the reproductive energy may be transmuted.

If the reproductive organs are in a weakened condition, the entire system feels the reflex action and suffers sympathetically; but by complete breath they may be strengthened and vitalized and thus madg to give by its sympathetic reflex action, a healthy tone to the entire system.Siddhars knew that sex-energy may be conserved and used for the development of the body and the mind of the individual. In conclusion, we may say that complete breathing will do more to restore health  to the reproductive organs of the system than anything else. By complete breathing, the diaphragm would contract and exert a gentle pressure upon the liver, the stomach and the other organs of the body and serve the purpose of a gentle massage for them and thereby stimulate their actions and encourage their normal functions. Thus we see that the proper method of breathing is of vital importance to every man, woman and child to acquire and maintain health for a great length of time.

Siddhar's science also tells us that a man generally takes 15 breaths a minute and this makes 21,600 (15  X  60  x  24) breaths a day; and at this rate, he can live for a period of at least 120 years, taking into consideration the fundamental principle on which respiration is based viz:- the force or energy lost in every exhalation operating to a length of space extending to 12 inches in regained or recouped by inhalation only to a partial extent ; because the operation in this case extends only to 8 inches thus loosing every time the force or energy required for supplying the difference of 12-8 or 4 inches; and consequently as much force or energy that ought to enter the body is lost in every process of inhalation taking place. the following Tamil verse from Bogar's Gnana Sauram (100) explains the truth of this fundamental principle in respiration and even points out clearly how death in Human beings is brought about:-

பார்க்கையிலே அகத்தியமா முனியேகேளு பன்னிரண்டு அங்குலந்தான் பாயும்போது
ஏர்க்கையிலே சந்திரன்தான் நாலும்போச்சு என்மகனே தேசமுந்தான் இறந்துபோகும்
காக்கையிலே நாலயுந்தான் எட்டில்சேரு கங்குல்பக லொன்றாக கலந்து போகும்
மார்க்கமதை அறியாமல் மனிதர்தாமும் மாண்டிறந்து போவதற்கு வருந்துவாரே.

The stipulated period of life-time viz. 120 years is no doubt subjected to variations according to the circumstances in a man's life; and it is described as shown under:-

ln eating or vomiting, the breath forced out extends to 18 inches; in walking to 24 inches; in running, 42 inches; cohabiting, 50 inches; in sleeping, 60 inches and so on. lt is for the purpose of saving such loss or losses caused by indulging in the actions mentioned, that Yogis take up a silent posture and suppress their breath in such a way and to such an extent that they are able to live for any number of years as desired by them without disease or death, devoting their life all the time for the good of mankind. Such a kind of spiritual breathing is sure to develop spiritual powers of consciousness much sooner than the ordinary process of evolution. It is a fact well-known to the Siddhars and Yogis remained in a state of trance known as suspended animation and continue to be so for a longer period of time without breathing. At first sight this may appear a physical impossibility; bit it is now generally accepted bu the Western physiologists who explain it saying that the skin may to some extent perform the functions of the lungs just in the same way as a frog breathes without lungs, while its respiration is carried on efficiently through the skin. Though naturally the capacity to perform the above said function is very small, yet it is capable of considerable increase as in cases of the diseases of the lungs such as Asthma, wherein the needs of the body excite them to perform these functions or by special training as Yoga by practice.

Prana:

The esoteric breath is spoken of as Prana; because in ordinary breathing, we absorb a normal supply of Prana just enough to maintain our life keeping up the body in a healthy condition; and so it is found necessary for our readers to know something about this Prana. Prana is the Universal Principle of Energy which is absorbed and stored or assimilated and specialized in one's system in the ordinary course. It is the essence of  all force or energy useful for the proper functioning of the human body. It is taken in by the system along with the oxygen which is found in its purest state in atmospheric air. It is also in the water that we drink in the food that we take and in the sun-light, we bathe in ; and in fact it pervades all nature and as such as everywhere. found in all things, it is in all forms of matter; it is in the air, but it is not the air. It is more subtle than ether, and so can penetrate where the air cannot reach. It is of the nature of the dynamic force of electricity and all  life depends on it for its sustenance. It is the vital magnetic force absorbed by every human being in various ways; but it can be made to flow forcibly under proper and  favourable physical conditions. Susceptible persons will feel it as an electric current; because it is the life-giving energy in all things.

Now, let us see what part is played by this Prana in respiration; it is but the esoteric breath. Human breath is nothing but a physical manifestation of Prana. As oxygen is taken up by the circulatory system, so is Prana taken up by the nervous system and is spent as nerve-force in the act of thinking, desiring etc. Regulation of breath enables one in fact to absorb a greater supply of Prana to be stored up in the brain, and the nerve-centres to be used whenever necessary.

Physiologically, Prana has different designations with reference to the functions it performs in the human body.There are ten different kinds of Prana viz:-

1. Chief Prana - regulates the respiratory system.
2. Apana - helps excretions from the lower organs, evacuation & generation.
3. Vyana - Principle of circulation of energy throughout the entire nervous system.
4. Udana - regulates the function of higher organs of the brain.
5. Samana - the principle of digestion and assimilation.
6. Naga - helps in expanding and contracting the body and also in speaking
7. Kurma - causes horripilation and winking.
8. Devadatta - is responsible for sitting standing, talking, running, perspiring, yawning etc..
9. Giridhara - assists the digestive process and causes anger, sneezing, heat, etc..
10. Dhananjaya - remains after death causing the body to swell, to separate the sutures of the skull, etc.

Prana preserves the physical frame in existence, regulates the entire physiological process and makes the performance of higher functions possible in the physical frame. It pervades the whole body and keeps all its parts alive and working. It builds up the life-tissues throughout the body, vitalizes the brain, causes the heart-beat, increases the vibrations of the ganglia and the nervous system and regulates the circulation of blood. It is the energy that exists in living organisms;and its most apparent manifestation is the motion of the lungs. This motion is caused by the Prana drawing in the breath. It works from the heart throughout the entire system; and is therefore centered in the motor-nerves attached to the voluntary and involuntary muscles. It is this same Prana that is manifested as motion or the nervous motion in human beings and animals and also as thoughts, desires and so forth The Psycho-therapeutic action of this prana is numerous:-

1. it can be distributed all through the body - to every organ and part thereof, every muscle, cell and atom ; every nerve, artery and vein from the top of the head to the soles of the feet and to charge every nerve centre.
2. Many pains may be found relieved or alleviated,
3. The circulation of blood may be directed to any part of the body.
4. Self-healing may be effected.
5. Diseases in others may be cured by suggestion.
6. Persons at a distance may be cured by thought-projection.

There are l2 distinct divisions of the Sun's aura; and so there must be 12 kinds of prana such as Aries Prana, Taurus Prana and so on; and these have affinity with the several organs of the human body shown below:—
Aries Prana with the head and face.
Taurus Prana with the neck and throat.
Gemini Prana with the arms, shoulders and lungs.
Cancer Prana with the breasts, stomach and chest.
Leo Prana with the heart, back and spine.
Virgo Prana with the bowels and abdomen.
Libra Prana with the kidneys and loins.
Scorpio Prana with the generative organs.
Sagittarius Prana with the lips and thighs.
Capricon Prana with the knees.
Aquarius Prana with the calves and ankles.
Pisces Prana with the feet and toes.

It is not possible in this introduction, to mention details in regard to the method of reaping  benefit from these twelve kinds of breaths each of which is practiced during each month so as to cover a year. With mind and thought concentrated on correct breathing and through a knowledge of these twelve kinds of breath, and one can direct the Prana or nerve-force to the organs or the desired parts of the human body. Of course, the best results can be had by taking up the practice at the times given, especially when it is taken for the building up of any of the diseased organs mentioned in the above table.

The extraordinary powers attributed to advanced Siddhars is due largely to the knowledge and intelligent use of this energy Stored-up in kundalini [Serpent Power]. It should be borne in mind that every function of the bodily organ is dependent on nerve-force which is supplied by Prana emanating from the Sun and circulating in space. Without this nerve-force; the heart cannot beat, the lungs cannot breathe, the blood cannot circulate and the various organs cannot perform their respective normal functions. This Prana not only supplies electric force to the nerves; but it also magnetizes the iron in the system and produces the aura as a natural emanation. It is the first step in the development

of Personal Magnetism which in easily acquired by the practice of Pranayama which is fully explained under Yoga and its philosophy. This Personal Magnetism. the subtle force by which people are influenced and nations are controlled is due to the strength of Prana. History abounds in instances of the successes of remarkable personages naturally endowed with this power. Great men in all ages, orators, patriots, statesmen and dictators—admired and worshiped by millions were naturally endowed with this gift and they were but Natural Magnetists. Napoleon was the very thunder bolt of Europe as also Abraham Lincoln of America, Maramede Steel and Mira Beau (the lion of the French Revolution) were leaders among men. Great men of our own day like Gandhi on the moral sphere, Mussolini, Hitler, etc. on the material sphere, owe their influence to this magnetism. A person who has practiced absorbing and storing an increased supply of Prana in his system, often radiates vitality and strength which are felt by those coming in contact with him. This power though latent in every man, requires cultivation and development for practical purposes more than perhaps those of physical and other ordinary functions.

Prana must not be confounded with the Ego, that a bit of  Divine Spirit in every soul around which cluster matter and energy. It is merely a form of energy used by the Ego in its material manifestation. It should be remembered here that the functions of the Ego or of the soul whose principles are described under Elements are mainly the formation and disintegration of the human body in the physical world. Just as we breathe in and out for enlivening the body and enriching the blood, we absorb Prana for strengthening and vitalizing our nervous system.

In the Cosmic sense, whatever we see, whatever moves or works or has life is a manifestation of Prana which is one of the many sources of energy displayed in the Universe. The whole Universe is a combination of Prana and Akasa; and from the latter, we get different materials; and from the former, the different forces. Prana is the wavy motion which is the cause of the evolution of the Cosmic matter which is the basis for all-pervading source of the evolution and involution of the Universe. Prana is found in all forms of life, from the amoeba to man – from the most elementary form of plant life to the highest form of animal life. It flows from pole to pole in a free state through atmosphere. It penetrates, surrounds and soaks everything through and through.

Video Link from Ayurveda.com

Note : This article is taken from Tamil Medical Dictionary - By T.V. Sambasivam Pillai - Vol -1 - Part -1

Thirumoolar is the Guru for Pranayama, Here are the list of Sacred Songs given by him with Tamil Meaning , English Transliteration and English Translation too. This may change the perspective of your life if you try it.

There is an Android App for Practicing Thirumoolar Pranayama with instruction.
Song 1 
Song 2
Song 3
Song 4
Song 5
Song 6
Song 7
Song 8
Song 9
Song 10
Song 11
Song 12
Song 13
Song 14