Posted on May 9, 2022.

A brief history of Soma Breath

Niraj Naik (the renegade pharmacist and founder of Soma Breath) was diagnosed with a chronic illness and was bed-bound for a year. He was told that he would have to pee into a bag for the rest of his life which he really didn’t want to do.

He took action into his own hands with the attitude of ‘what have I got to lose’ and started breathing, chanting and going to his local sauna every day. After a short while, he noticed shifts in his health and well-being until eventually he had healed himself completely.

This sparked a passion, excitement, and dedication to share his experience and knowledge with others.

It certainly helped me find peace, clarity, and healing which you can learn more about here.

The technique

Soma Breath is built upon the ancient foundations of pranayama exercises, yogic practices, and aryverdic teachings along with modern technology such as brainwave music to give a holistic, full-bodied approach to healing.

The combination of breathing to brainwave music is perhaps the signature component to Soma Breath and what sets them apart from other techniques.

Soma Breath combines rhythmical breathing (breathing in a specific rhythm), breath holds (holding the breath), and beautifully designed brainwave music to create a dynamic, fun, and uplifting experience.

There is a 20 minute daily practice all the way up to a full hour long Soma experience. Then there are other breathing exercises that help to create deep relaxation, peaceful sleep, and expansive meditations.

The main objectives of Soma Breath:

• Teaches people about the benefits of breathwork
• Supports good and healthy daily breathing habits
• Trains people to take fewer breaths per minute
• Builds up tolerance to CO2
• Helps people to live with more vitality, relaxation, and creativity.

Benefits of Soma Breath:

• Lowers stress
• Reduces anxiety & depression
• Heart-opening
• Balances the nervous system
• Creates better circulation
• Boosts immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems
• Creates more energy
• Creates calmness and peace
• Helps to build up a tolerance to CO2

Signature components of Soma Breath:

1. Rhythmical breathing — For increasing your ability to breath slowly and deeply, for balancing the nervous system, energizing the body, and increasing breath-hold times.
2. Breath retention (holding ‘no breath’ to enter a state called intermittent hypoxia) — This enhances spatial awareness, learning and memory; reduces inflammation, promotes healing, deep meditation, and overall health.
3. Chanting — Their favourite is the ancient sound of Aum and it’s mine too!
4. Intention setting/visualisation

Original article by Science for Life