The Power of Breath: The Art of Breathing Well for Harmony, Happiness and Health

by Swami Saradananda

A leading yoga guru and meditation teacher offers step-by-step breathing exercises — revealing how a steady breathwork practice can enhance your mental and physical well-being.

Breathing is the most fundamental of our body’s physical processes and our most intimate companion—yet most of us give it little to no thought. However, once fully acknowledged and harnessed, the power of the breath is unlimited. It can ease stress and anxiety, boost energy and stamina, enhance self-confidence, sharpen the ability to focus, strengthen the quality of voice, and even relieve pain.

With The Power of Breath , renowned yoga teacher Swami Saradananda aims to give gentle yet powerful guidance on the art of breathing, from the basic practices to its myriad effects on the mind and body. She explores the five types of breath and provides breathing exercises for each

• vitalizing ( prana )
• nourishing ( samana )
• expansive ( vyana )
• cleansing ( apana )
• expressive ( udana )

She also offers mini programs for targeting specific common ailments and issues such as asthma, skin disorders, depression, lethargy and phobias—plus ways to harness your breath to enhance vocal, dramatic, or sports performance.

With evocative artwork, inspiring photography, and easy-to-follow guidance, this book will enhance and affirm your daily life through the power of breathwork.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Spirituality, Meditation

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Breathing is the basic function we can control. Breathing well can change your thinking, physical abilities and more. I loved the connection taught, between breath, body and mind. The yoga addition was a bonus I did not expect. I practiced several of the techniques daily and found and immediate change in my perception to the world around me. I didn't feel so on edge, so negative, I had a sense of calm acceptance that was good. I felt really good. I can't wait to see where I can go from here.
Easy simple techniques
Uncomplicated yoga
Small time investment

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

[Alison S ☯️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible, well illustrated, and nicely laid out guide to the five types of breathing in the Eastern tradition. As someone who regularly practices yoga asanas, I have been interested in finding out more about pranayama for some time. This book is a great introduction to yoga breathing, and I particularly liked the Directory at the end, which lists common health issues such as headaches and stress, with suggestions of breathing exercises that can offer relief. I thoroughly recommend this book, and it has inpired me to try out a greater variety of breathing exercises as a complement to my yoga practice.

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book with good information and many breathing techniques to learn. For this, it was worth buying. But the downside is that the information is weirdly layed out; it would have been easier to navigate if the breathing technique pages were visual obvious to find and if there was a content page which highlighted the techniques and their progression.

[C. McLeish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive

It took me a while to get through all the contents in this book but I will say it is highly informative and packed with everything you need to know about the technology of breathing and an intro to yoga practices.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little jewel that my mum gave me years ago, I still treasure it and re-read it from time to time.

[Michelle Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of breathing techniques and the different types of breath

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power of Breath The Art of Breathing Well for Harmony, Happiness and Health by Swami Saradananda is a new book released by Watkins this January 17th.

We all know the power of Yoga and the importance of taking some time for ourselves for loving ourselves and for some exercises able to let us connect with the most profound part of ourselves.

The joy, happiness and mental stability able to give Yoga thanks to exercises able to work at a different level if compared to common gym is substantially important.

Breathing and harmonic movements of the body: the most important treat of Yoga is this one.

Every gesture is a synchronization with our breathing and a general knowledge of our self for a general harmonization and wellness of our body, soul and mind.

We don't pay attention at our breathing but it's not just fundamental. Breathing is vital. Without breathing we die.
Good breathing means a good oxygenation for brain and other organs as well.
The book is divided into various sections dear at Yoga: Prana, Samana, vyana, apana, udana.

At the end of the book the author doesn't forget the various illness can affect people suggesting them various exercises for a best breathing without forgetting tips and exercises for all that people involved in music and sport.

Highly recommended.

I thank NetGalley and Watkins for this book.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb from start to finish! It has a great visual quality, design and content.

Written with understandable, educational, positive and enriching language, as well as graphic art content and charming fables. In my opinion, the knowledge of Swammi Saradananda is communicated in a structured, balanced and holistic way, providing valuable practical exercises that favor the intellectual integration of knowledge towards the activation of the corporal-energetic experience, in such a way that anyone can access all the benefits that give us the life energy of the prana.
The practice of breathwork is very integral, profound and applicable to all daily life; in addition I could learn that benefits all your fields, from the physical, energetic, mental, emotional and traendental, nothing escapes because we can not live without breathing.
I find this knowledge very useful for implementing any situation in my life, such as improving general health, reducing stress, eliminating negative thoughts and emotions, purifying and balancing my energy, for meditation and mindfulness, concentration and focus, strengthening motivation , .. in conclusion all, since my Self is interconnected and nourished by prana.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. This book about breathing is the most fundamental of the body’s physical processes. This book is full of interesting information. It explains if you breathe well you will live longer. This is a very enlightening book. This book will help you in understanding and learning if you breathe properly it can help ease stress and anxiety and boost energy. I would suggest you read this it will help you set yourself on the right track. Very good book. Will read this book many times

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

requested this book from the publisher for an independent honest review as I was very interested in the subject matter on the power of breathing and how various breathing exercises can contribute to a persons wellbeing. It is clearly written and divided into well labelled separate chapters so it can be read fully as a stand alone non fiction or dipped in and out of. It is an excellent reference. Especially valuable for teachers and followers of Yoga. I will be recommending to my clients and colleagues in the Spiritual and health, wellbeing fields. I rate it 4*

[SALLY WHITE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. An interesting book full of practical guidance on effective breathing for a healthier life. Lots of suggestions on visualization techniques to help direct energy to the right part of the body. The book is written in a factual, straightforward and simple way, which is uncomplicated and easy to understand. I found this made it easy to retain the information. A great practical self help book.

[Asha KRISHNA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great tool for someone interested in good mental health. The exercises are practical and explained in a lucid manner.

It is a great read and a valuable DIY tool to improve and enhance emotional well being.

For a complete review please click on the link below:

http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/20...

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: For me, this book was a source of finding center. It was practical and applicable. There would be a benefit for any and all readers.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: Health/Wellness
Source: NetGalley

[Leighanne Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those that want to start meditating or who have for a while. There are a lot of little techniques she mentions throughout the book that have helped expand both my meditation practice and my mind. Great reference book!

[kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great review of many types of pranayama, including good illustrations and descriptions of related yoga postures. Very helpful meditation/breathwork guidance, too.

[Arthur Lasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far so good. I'm learning a lot more about breathing (let alone proper breathing).

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book among 5 others to patients with anxiety who have expressed a desire to connect to breathing on a more conscious and spiritual level.

[Moonstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway. As someone who has had asthma for many years and found breathing difficult, it was not quite what I imagined, but very useful in other respects. I particularly liked the end index where you can look up specific problems, ie stress, high blood pressure, digestive problems and see the recommended breathing exercises which may help. It is set out in an easy to read format with nice illustrations and photographs. A useful book to have.