Throughout history, the subject of breath has held special significance in philosophy, religion, mythology and literature.
Take a step back in time to the civilisation of Ancient Egypt and breath was inextricably associated with the concept of the 'soul'. The Egyptians believed this was composed of several parts, the 'Ka' or breath, which continued after death and remained in proximity to the earthly body , while another part commenced it spiritual journey. In Christianity, the first book of the Bible, Genesis, speaks of the 'breath of life', while in Hinduism, 'Atman' comes from Sanskrit meaning 'essence' or 'breath' .