As the world pauses to reflect on the meaning of peace, it is worth remembering that harmony doesn’t begin in grand gestures, it begins within. The simple act of breathing, often overlooked in daily life,
carries the power to calm the mind, steady the body, and ripple outwards into our relationships and communities. Ancient yogic traditions and modern science both affirm that mindful breathing not only restores health and balance but also nurtures a deeper sense of peace that extends far beyond the individual.
Dr Yogrishi Vishvketu, Global Yoga Educator & Founder of Akhanda Yoga Institute shares all you need to know:
Peace Begins with a Breath
Modern medicine and Yogic wisdom agree: the way we breathe shapes the way we live. Shallow breathing, repeated daily, pushes the nervous system into chronic stress. This imbalance can disturb sleep, weaken digestion, raise blood pressure, disrupt hormonal rhythms, and even reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like iron. Over time, it alters the brain’s capacity to experience deep peace and wellbeing.
On World Peace Day, we are reminded that peace begins within. Every mindful breath restores balance, calming anger, harmonizing the nervous system, and keeping us steady while processing life’s inevitable challenges. When we breathe consciously, we strengthen our own health and radiate harmony into families, communities, and the world.
Why Breath Controls the Mind and Body
– Rapid, shallow breaths trigger stress, poor digestion, restless sleep, and hypertension.
– Slow, steady breaths activate the parasympathetic system, lower blood pressure, regulate hormones, improve nutrient absorption, and sharpen focus.
Balanced breathing cultivates patience, emotional steadiness, and clarity, the foundation of inner and collective peace.
Three Yogic Practices for Peace
1. Three-Part Yogic Breath (Dirgha Pranayama): Expands lung capacity, oxygenates tissues, supports digestion, and grounds the mind.
2. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): Balances brain hemispheres, calms emotions, eases blood pressure.
3. Omkara Chanting: Extends the exhale with ‘Om,’ soothing the nervous system, fostering rest and unity.
Breathing Peace into the World
Begin gently, honor your energy, and let the breath guide you. By transforming the way we breathe, we transform sleep, digestion, circulation, and emotional wellbeing and contribute to collective peace, one breath at a time.
