Take a deep breath of health and harmony...

Hatha Yoga authority Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (1918-) taught his students the importance of breathing in the merging of the body to the mind and soul. Born in India, the great master emphasized breath awareness, alignment, balance, suppleness, and strength.

"When you hold your breath, you hold the soul," he said.

We all need to breathe to live. Every day, we take between 16,000 and 23,000 breaths. When we release our last breath, we expire.  When we are inspired, we are energized, completely alive. The Greek word for inspiration is theopneutos, theo=God and pneutos=breathed.

"You will know your own innocence again when you can see the love that breathes within every iota of creation," observed best-selling author Deepak Chopra.

Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm. Your contracting diaphram pushes air to the lower lungs and oxygen to the brain.

All good singers know about using their diaphragm. Singing is breathing inspiration. It is the breath, the spirit, the voice that brings forth the song.

Opera singer Leontyne Price called singing the most personal way to express art. She believed the breath of God is what produces the human voice.

"I really do believe that I am in touch with something much higher than myself, and much higher than the performance I am giving. I am in the hands of God who guides me far beyond any technical expertise I may have."

Breathe!