Science of Breath

By: Yogi Ramacharaka

Narrated by: Dennis Logan

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Yoga is divided into several branches, ranging from that which teaches the control of the body, to that which teaches the attainment of the highest spiritual development. In the work we will not go into the higher phases of the subject, except when the "science of breath" touches upon the same. The Science of Breath touches yoga at many points, and although chiefly concerned with the development and control of the physical, has also its psychic side, and even enters the field of spiritual development.

In India there are great schools of yoga, comprising thousands of the leading minds of that great country. The yoga philosophy is the rule of life for many people. The pure yogi teachings, however, are given only to the few, the masses being satisfied with the crumbs which fall from the tables of the educated classes, the Oriental custom in this respect being opposed to that of the Western world. But Western ideas are beginning to have their effect even in the Orient, and teachings which were once given only to the few are now freely offered to any who are ready to receive them. The East and the West are growing closer together, and both profiting by the close contact, each influencing the other.

The Hindu yogis have always paid great attention to the science of breath, for reasons which will be apparent to the student who listens to this book. Many Western writers have touched upon this phase of the yogi teachings, but we believe that it has been reserved for the writer of this work to give the Western student, in concise form and simple language, the underlying principles of the yogi science of breath, together with many of the favorite yogi breathing exercises and methods. We have given the Western idea as well as the Oriental, showing how one dovetails into the other. We have used the ordinary English terms, almost entirely, avoiding the Sanskrit terms, so confusing to the average Western listener.

The first part of the book is devoted to the physical phase of the science of breath; then the psychic and mental sides are considered, and finally the spiritual side is touched upon. We may be pardoned if we express ourselves as pleased with our success in condensing so much yogi lore into so few minutes, and by the use of words and terms which may be understood by anyone. Our only fear is that its very simplicity may cause some to pass it by as unworthy of attention, while they pass on their way searching for something "deep", mysterious and non-understandable. However, the Western mind is eminently practical, and we know that it is only a question of a short time before it will recognize the practicability of this work. We greet our students, with our most profound saalam, and bid them be seated for their first lesson in the yogi science of breath.

Public Domain (P)2018 Game Winner LLC

Hidden gem

The breath as a healing tool is one of the most under rated gems of existance.

Once isn't enough... more like thrice...

In it's brevity, this book is a gem for those willing to expand inner and outer consciousness. Breathing, in relation to physiological appreciation, is of utmost importance. This book was worth it, I shall listen to it from time to time, to go over and glean perhaps slight things I did not get in the first round. All in All, splendid piece of audio information for the cerebral hemispheres.

The detail and descriptions of breathing process and breathing practices

I’ve been on a roll reading/listening to my books. It seems to be taking me longer to actually get around to writing my reviews, however. One of the books I recently completed (for the second time) was, “The Science of Breath,” By Yogi Ramacharaka.

It’s been many years since I first read or studied this book, which I read during my yoga teacher training. Since then, I have spent years trying to better understand and to improve my breathing. Especially having struggled with chronic respiratory infections when I was younger, that resulted in me developing asthma. Over many years of yoga practice, my breathing improved and my asthma symptoms, and respiratory infections disappeared. More recently I’ve been focusing on breathing in relation to my emotional and work stresses as well as my athletic performance. In light of this, I felt called to revisit this book and decided I would enjoy the audio version this time around. I was not disappointed.

I truly enjoyed listening to this book even though some of the language and references sounded outdated when placed in context with the times we now live in. Some of the information contained in this book, however, is timeless. Listening to this book gave me a sense of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come since the last time I read it, so many years ago. As I alluded to earlier, several of the words or terms used in the book seemed awkward as it constantly compared western to eastern wisdom and practices. Hearing the habit of “mouth breathing” described as vulgar or uncivilized came across as a bit harsh but it definitely got the point across! In spite of some of the harsher judgements, the basic breathing knowledge and concepts still shone through and I learned or relearned much. It is a wonderful reminder of how important the breath is. Breath is life. I especially appreciated the simplicity of this book and the carefully detailed instructions of breathing practices. It’s easy and tempting at times to take short cuts or follow methods that ignore important considerations. The explanation of complete yogic breath was very good and worth revisiting for anyone. It’s always a good idea to check in with your foundations and make certain they are solid.

The Science of Breath inspired me to read and study even more about breathing and how to continue and revitalize my journey to improving mine. I’m very grateful I took the time to revisit The Science of Breath and I would recommend it. I’m certain I am going to be back to revisit this book again soon. I enjoyed listening to the audio version and would listen to it again.

Misleading

I was recommended this book as part of a yoga course. I was completely turned off on this book once I learned that Yogi Ramacharaka was not an actual person but a pseudonym for William Walker Atkinson (December 5, 1862 – November 22, 1932). He was a WHITE failed lawyer, not a Indian yogi. He didn’t learn these techniques in India, honestly he probably just made these techniques up just to make money. Very misleading.

The techniques are nothing new. I’ve learned so much more about breathing from my yoga class than from this book. One positive, it really made me laugh. I found the term “disgusting mouth breather” that the author used multiple times, hilarious.