Genesis 2:7 then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Close your eyes,
Take a deep breath…
In…out…
Take another
In…out…
Feel your lungs expand
Notice your abdomen rise and fall
Our breath is a vital component to any yoga class. Pranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning breath or life force. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word used is “ruah” which means breath or spirit. In the New Testament, the Greek word used is “pnuema”. Biblical language correlates breath and life. Studies have shown that breathing techniques can help calm us down, center us, and bring us into the present moment.
How can simply breathing do this for us? Breathing is automatic; we don’t think about it. We can’t bottle our breath for tomorrow nor can we live without breath in this moment. What is this life force?
Genesis 2:7 says that God breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils and he became a living being. God breathed his spirit into Adam; God breathed life into each of us. Breath is a physical need that our bodies cannot be without. But there is also a spiritual need that our bodies desire. The desire to be calm when faced with chaos, the desire to feel grounded in the busyness, and the desire to be at peace and content in the present moment. Are these desires even possible?
Close your eyes,
Take a deep breath…
In…out…
Take another
In…out…
Feel God’s presence surround you
Let His spirit fill you
Jesus is the life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). Like our breath that we cannot be without, Jesus is our life force that we cannot be without. The breath reminds us of our physical need while connecting us to Jesus. Focusing on our breath is a tool that helps center our being in Jesus. It is God’s breath in our lungs enabling us to move and have our being (Acts 17:24-28). Because of His spirit, we can walk in the hope and joy we long for. My prayer for you this Christmas season is that your heart and eyes are fixed on the one who longs to meet with us.
Attached is a breath/movement practice (approx. 20 minutes) to enjoy. Remember Jesus longs to meet with us this Christmas season.
Jesus is the vital component in our life!
Jesus meets us in our breath!
