Customer Reviews

Science of Breath

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book (1979 edition) as a trombonist hoping to expand my lung capacity. what I got was not only much improved breathing technique but also a very interesting and stimulating introduction to yoga and eastern thought. the book provides a great balance between western theories (anatomy of the chest/nose, breathing mechanics) and eastern ideas (energy, prana, meditation). one *must* approach the book with an open mind since some of the ideas are quite foriegn to typical westerners, but the ideas convince the reader (at least this one) that there is much more to eastern practices than western culture gives them credit for.

I am a lifelong yogini and yoga teacher and originally bought this book when it was first published. In the years since have probably bought at least a half dozen other books on this topic and can honestly say this one is still the best. I recommend it regularly to my students because it's both jam-packed with information and completely accessible and direct in its approach. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Swami Rama has never failed to write a book which I valued. For this title, he shares the authorship with 2 western authors. Their academic scientific portions contrast with Swami Rama's spiritual chapters. While all the information is certainly valid, the Swami divulges secrets not to be found easily elsewhere. He qualifies his statements by warning the reader that these mystical practices should only be attempted with an experienced teacher. Each time I read this book, I find something new that I missed in the prior reading. I attribute this to the knowledge gained between readings. This book is a must have for the serious seeker of enlightenment.

I have a few problems with this book. From reading the book's description and summary, I assumed the book would be full of breathing techniques to master the mind and body. Unfortunately, only the last fourth of the book accounts for actual techniques. The rest is scientific explanations of how breathing can be beneficial, which I already knew, otherwise I wouldn't have bought the book. It seems to me that people are already interested in using the breathing techniques; they don't need to be sold on why it helps, as the book does in the first three fourths. Furthermore, the last fourth gives fairly undetailed descriptions of the techniques, I felt; or says these techniques should only be done with a professional teacher. So this makes the book somewhat useless for someone who is ready and willing to start mastering the techniques of breathing. I recommend a book that gives painfully descriptive actions for breathing, yet I don't know of one yet. Maybe it's best to just go see a professional in the area of yoga or rebirthing. Otherwise, the book is very interesting and valuable for a person who is unaware of breath and eastern philosophy. I just felt misled about its contents, so maybe that's my fault; I'm just trying to tell you.

. . .if not THE best, about certain so-called yoga issues, made useful for even the most skeptical of westerners.

I can't speak for this edition, but assuming it still has the basic contents of the older small hardcover edition, whatever additions it may have, it would still be incredibly useful.

It is also incredibly pleasant to read. I used to own a copy, benefitted from it, for some reason got rid of it, and then repurchased one a few weeks ago. Last night I turned to it, started reading it, and was reminded what an excellent and useful little volume it was. I practised some of the exercises, and my enthusiasm for these techniques was renewed. I read myself to sleep on it. In short, I love this little book, and wish everyone would own a copy, study, and practice it.

I first came to Ramacharaka's Breath book, as a recommendation from an Israel Regardie book. Regardie was a chiropractic who used rhythmic breathing, and relaxation techniques with his patients. Much of Regardie's writing is replete with useful info. on that score ( see his 'The Art of True Healing,'for example.) Many of Regardie's useful books are out of print, however, making Ramacharaka and Co's. 'Science of Breath' book even more essential.

...but don't stop there ...

In addition to 'Science of Breath,' might I recommend that the curious reader, looking to enrich and bolster his/her health, check out an excellent, if more recent, book by Thomas Cleary: 'Taoist Meditation.' Truly, you do NOT have to be a Taoist to benefit healthwise from this book ( check reviews.) Michael Saso's 'The Gold Pavilion' is also a book I wouldn't want to be without, and depicts what is probably the safest of all the oriental alchemy techniques I have found yet in the literature. Both these books supplement Ramacharaka perfectly, in my opinion.

From there, you can turn to Rama Prasad's 'Nature's Finer Forces,' considered a 'must-have' by Regardie, and called "the best book on breathing" by its current publisher.

...but see my recent review (note dates) for Carl Simonton, MDs' 'Getting Well Again,' a volume also not to be ignored by those health-seekers and preservers (prevention being a big part of the health game.) In my review, I list about a dozen useful books, along with Ramacharaka's, that belong on anyone's health bookshelf.

Generally, what you want, is a wide variety of perspectives on health issues.

Of course, the caveat applies in all these matters: never should any of these techniques be used as a substitute for regular professional care by a certified, reputable physician. Books like Ramacharaka's, it bears repeating for some, are supplements, not substitutes.

(Note: Ramacharaka's book is not difficult, and in spite of its Eastern perspective, is not in the same league as the more dangerous oriental alchemy techniques discussed in some books, such as those of Eva Wong, valuable as they are. The two phenomena ought not to be confused, by and large. In short, oriental alchemy is generally for the few, while Ramacharaka's book with exercises is useful for just about anybody.)

This book doesn't add any technique that other pranayama books don't have. It does have some new information about the science of how the breath works. I really liked the part about active nostrils, and how to change your dominant nostril. If you are interested in this then maybe take a look at holotropic breathwork for the rest of the story of what different breathing does to your brain.

I have a few problems with this book. From reading the book's description and summary, I assumed the book would be full of breathing techniques to master the mind and body. Unfortunately, only the last fourth of the book accounts for actual techniques. The rest is scientific explanations of how breathing can be beneficial, which I already knew, otherwise I wouldn't have bought the book. It seems to me that people are already interested in using the breathing techniques; they don't need to be sold on why it helps, as the book does in the first three fourths. Furthermore, the last fourth gives fairly undetailed descriptions of the techniques, I felt; or says these techniques should only be done with a professional teacher. So this makes the book somewhat useless for someone who is ready and willing to start mastering the techniques of breathing. I recommend a book that gives painfully descriptive actions for breathing, yet I don't know of one yet. Maybe it's best to just go see a professional in the area of yoga or rebirthing. Otherwise, the book is very interesting and valuable for a person who is unaware of breath and eastern philosophy. I just felt misled about its contents, so maybe that's my fault; I'm just trying to tell you.