Breath as life force

The breath can be seen as a bridge between the physical and the subtle world. It is the link between body, mind and soul. Most of the recent revolutionary discoveries about consciousness and the human psyche are new to modern psychology.

However, the integration of the human consciousness, spirit, has a long history as an integral part of ritual and spiritual life. Many ancient and indigenous cultures have used the power of breath in their healing practices for thousands of years. 

Without breath, there is no life. Breath as a living spirit is even clearly reflected in the words many languages use for breath:

Ancient Indian literature: prana – not only for physical air and breath, but also for the sacred essence of life.
Chinese medicine: chi – cosmic essence and life energy, natural air that we breathe
Japan: ki – very important in Japanese spiritual practices and martial arts
Ancient Greece: pneuma – saw the breath in close relation to the psyche
Hebrew tradition: ruach – both breath and creative spirit
Latin: spiritus – the same word was used for spirit and breath
Slavic language: same linguistic root for spirit and breath
Native Hawaiian tradition and medicine: ha – divine spirit, wind, air and breath (is included in the popular Hawaiian aloha – usually translated as presence (alo) of the divine breath (ha))