How Soma Breath is Healing Mind, Body & Spirit
The connection that breath has upon the mind, body, and spirit extends back to almost every ancient and pre-industrialization civilization of human history.
India’s spiritual text, the Rig Veda, considers breath the sacred essence of life. Pranayama, which literally means the control of breath in Sanskrit, is a breath-centred meditation that enhances physical and psychological practices.
Similarly, the word ‘chi’ in traditional Chinese medicine is considered to be the essence of life. One of the key sources of chi is our breath. Across the East China Sea, the Japanese have a similar word, ‘ki’, which can mean air, atmosphere, essence, spirit, mind, heart, motivation, intention, mood, feelings, and will.
The link between breath, body, and spirit travels beyond Asian borders. ‘Pneuma’ in Greek and ‘spiritus’ in Latin means both breath and spirit. The Slavic languages, too, have words for spirit and breath that share the same linguistic root.
In Arabo-Persian cultures, the word for the soul, ‘nafs’, is etymologically derived from the word for breath, ‘nafas’. Not too far away in Judeo-Persia, the word ‘ruach’ in old Hebrew tradition denotes both breath and the creative spirit. While in Hawaii, the word ‘ha’ means divine spirit, wind, air, and breath; and the Kahunas of Hawaii have long used breathing exercises to generate spiritual energy.
Yet, despite these long-standing, worldwide traditions to influence the physical body and consciousness through breath, the healing power of breath had almost disappeared from mainstream knowledge of modern societies in the post-industrialisation era.
Obscured under the gigantic shadows of post-industrial science and modern medicine, many people, discover the power of breath almost accidentally.
The Intuitive and Serendipitous Discovery of Healing with Breath
Niraj Naik was leading a highly stressful career as a community pharmacist. To relieve his stress, he would often visit a wellness centre called Nirvana in Reading, England. That was where he first discovered the power of breath almost accidentally.
While seeking peace and solace in their saunas, Naik began to intuitively extend his exhalations and make toning sounds with his voice to bring him into a deep meditative state. To the surprise of other spa members, he could withstand being in the sauna longer than most people, even at temperatures of 90ºC up to 1 hour at a time.
Not too long after this discovery, Naik was diagnosed with stress-related depression and an autoimmune disease called ulcerative colitis. Conventional medicine and treatments were not working and after months of being housebound, Naik’s doctors told him that he either had to undergo a colonoscopy or join a clinical trial for a previously untested pharmaceutical drug. Both options terrified him equally.
Then, a dear family friend, Swami Ambikananda, came to his rescue when she said to him, “You have a gift. If you can heal yourself from this situation you would be an amazing role model to other people. By going deep into your roots, studying Indian arts of Pranayama and Ayurveda, you may have a good chance to go back to full wellness.”
Remembering how he accidentally discovered how breath could help him mentally and physically withstand the heat of saunas much longer than anyone else, Naik felt there was merit to dive deeper into this path.
From a Personal Journey to a Global Mission for Soma Breath School
Naik’s journey began with learning ancient Pranayama followed by Ayurveda. Through this, he began to understand the impact of energetic disturbances upon the body’s immune system, and thus ability to heal itself.
With an entirely new perspective of his autoimmune disease, Naik began practising breath work combined with meditation. Fast forward a few months later, he had significantly reduced the symptoms of the colitis and surgery was out of the question.
Remembering the words of his friend, Swami Ambikananda, who had told him he would be a role model for others if he could heal himself, Naik knew his personal journey had now become a global mission.
He launched a website, therenegadepharmacist.com, where he published articles relating to holistic health and spiritual growth. He then teamed up with the superhuman yogi, Wim Hof. Niraj and Wim both had a passion for breath and music, the result of this were many songs they recorded together a soundtrack to the Wim Hof method that Niraj produced. Hungry to learn more, Naik began training with Dr Prakash Malshe — an M.D. from India, author of “The Medical Understanding of Yoga” to learn the medical application of yoga and the science behind pranayama techniques.
Combining the best of what he had learned and experienced, Naik formed the curriculum of SOMA Breath, a system that combines evidence-based ancient breath work with modern science, dance, and music.
Today, SOMA Breath is a thriving online school and community with instructors and students from all around the world. The SOMA Breath curriculum is also being taught at wellness centres and retreats across Europe, the USA, and Asia.
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