As a medical student, I found it a profound privilege to study the human body, studying organs under the microscope and through dissection. But years later, I realized that something important was missing: a relationship.
The connection between man and nature
The curriculum I followed was rich in detail and precision, but it failed to explore the relationships between organs, between systems, and between the human body and the living Earth. It treated the body in silos—cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological—as if these were separate entities. And it did so while completely leaving Earth itself as one of those systems. We were born and raised in a paradigm that viewed nature as something separate from us—something to be dominated, exploited, or ignored.
This fragmented perspective is now embedded in our language, thinking, health systems and educational models. We talk about “mental health” as if it is separate from physical or mental health. We even speak of “body-mind-spirit” as separate systems within a holistic framework.
Breath for nature
My breathing training began to dissolve these false boundaries. It awakened me to how the body’s design is beautifully tuned to serve life. Every anatomical feature, from the spirals of the nostrils that direct the flow of air to the lungs suspended in the left rib cage, exists to facilitate the movement of breath and with it the flow of life force, energy and information.
Every breath we take contains molecules from ancient trees, ocean winds, mountain air, and the breathing of our ancestors. It is a sacred reminder that we are not alone in our relationship with nature; we are nature.
When we align with this truth, our breathing reflects it. It is expansive, fluid, and satisfying—it fits the moment and meets our needs. But when we are chronically stressed, sedentary, or have unresolved trauma, our breathing becomes slow, tight, and irregular. Most of us unconsciously breathe in ways that signal to our nervous systems that we are under threat. We don’t just worry because life is hard; we are worried because we breathing as if they are hunting us.
Science now supports what mystics and healers have long known: we breathing habits shape everything from blood pressure and immune function to mental clarity and emotional regulation.
Deeply practical
Mindful breathing—breathing with focus and intention—turns an automatic function into a low-risk and deeply empowering form of natural medicine. It has the power to regulate the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and support the integration of trauma and irregular breathing over time. With practice, we reset our internal context. We begin to navigate the world from a more grounded presence. We slow down. We fall into rhythm – the rhythm of tides, seasons, sunrise and sunset. We are coming home at a pace that is humane, sustainable and healthy.
Although breathing is often seen as abstract or esoteric, it is very practical. It empowers us to actively participate in our healing. It can be done alone, in community or combined with other methods. It doesn’t cost anything. It is available. It is Earth medicine that restores agency when many of the things that affect our lives are out of our control.
Conscious breathing
Conscious breathing is a bridge to the body as Earth and to the invisible mind that connects all. It invites us into deeper relationships—with ourselves, with others, and with the living world. It increases our ability to feel, not only joy and wonder, but also sadness, anger, and heartbreak. And that’s where real healing begins.
You don’t need to go off the grid to recover this, and you don’t need complete peace and quiet. All you need is a breath and a willingness to listen. Acting on choosing breath over burnout, teaching our children to tune into their nervous system instead of staring at a screen, and to remember that your body—not a program or algorithm—is your first and most faithful teacher.
And yes, it’s political too. In a world that profits from our isolation, choosing to slow down and take a deep breath is an act of resistance. It is said: I do not give away my well-being. I will not forget that I am part of something sacred and we are part of each other. The return of the breath is a return to the body, a return to truth, a return to the Earth.
Who is the author?
Doctor Ela Manga is an integrative health practitioner, author, speaker, facilitator and global voice for a new paradigm of wellness. She has a special interest in applying the art and science of conscious breathing to inspire healing systems and communities.
Read more about Dr. Manga here: https://www.drelamanga.com/
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST EDITION
This article is in our latest issue, along with other amazing articles and features. Our “Back to Earth” edition is a must-read in Longevity for anyone ready to think about what we put in our bodies.
Get expert insight from Dr. Zach Bush, Ash Kapoor. Oscar ChalupskyDr. Maureen Allem, Dr. Anushka Reddy, Dr. Des Fernandes, Dr. Craig Golding and many others. This issue explores everything from food, clean beauty, sustainable living, fashion, travel and other smart choices.
Although available throughout South Africa at your nearest Woolworths, Exclusive Books and selectively at Superspar, Pick’n Pay, airport lounges and your local garage sale, you can also purchase a digital copy from Zinio.com.
