“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7)

The formation of man was the climax of creation. We were formed from the dust, and God breathed His own breath into our lungs.

This is so significant. According to the Bible, God did not do this for any other thing in all creation.

We are more than dust. We are more than our physical being. God, the source of all life and creation, breathed life right into a lifeless Adam at the moment He first made man. His breath made us living, breathing, moving, spiritual, and soulful beings set apart from all else.

With His breath, He gave us life and power. It is by His breath that we receive the Holy Spirit, as well.

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” (John 20:21-22 NIV)

In yoga, our the breath is called “Prana” and it is considered our life force. Our Prana comes directly from God.

The word yoga means “to yoke,” and in practice, we are yoking our breath to our movement. It requires that we pay special attention to our breathing, intentionally inhaling and exhaling, and allowing our breath to lead our movement.

Every contraction and expansion of the body follows the breath.

As receivers of the breath of life, I cannot think of a more appropriate meditation or form of praise than to connect the Breath of Life, Prana from heaven, to our movement and actions.