The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath

About the book

A work to return to, not to consume.

Published in 1904, this book was one of the first to introduce Western readers to ideas from yogic breathing. It opens with a phrase that sums it up, “breath is life”, and offers two readings of the breath: the physiological one, as it was understood then, and the esoteric one, tied to the idea of prana. It argues for nose breathing as a basic habit, describes four ways of breathing and the “complete breath”, which joins belly, ribs and chest in one movement, and presents developing exercises, rhythmic breathing and what it calls psychic and spiritual breathing. It mixes observations of its time with ideas that today read as the history of esotericism rather than science. This edition translates it faithfully and comes with a clear notice: the retentions and advanced exercises are the book's content, not instructions.

**Safety notice.** The book includes breath retentions and advanced exercises, plus 1904 health claims that are not medical facts. These are traditional practices, read here as a historical text, not instructions: do not hold or force your breath without a qualified teacher, and with pregnancy, high blood pressure, or heart, respiratory or psychiatric conditions, consult a health professional.