In the past eighteen years, traveling around and doing lots of Rebirth trainings and seminars as well as even more individual sessions, I have become more and more clear in my mind about the effectiveness of surrender to the Rebirthing breath, compared to drifting off into different-though similar-methods of psychological or spiritual healing involving the breath.

The Vedas, the ancient texts of early Yoga, are said to refer to the "simplest breath", which is stated to confer "physical immortality" on those who practice it.  Many Rebirthers have assumed the Rebirthing breath is what is being referred to, and have mistakenly concluded that, when they engage in the conscious connected breath of Rebirthing, they are actually engaged in Pranayama, the breathing techniques developed through countless centuries of Yoga. 

But, the breath of Rebirthing is unique and is not at all like the controlled breathing rhythms of Pranayama. 

Significant differences exist, especially in aim and also in symbolic values.

The aim of Yogic breathing is to devote consciousness to the breath so that as the person progresses through fixed attention (dharana) and through contemplation of the breath (dhyana), he can finally achieve complete concentration on his breath (samadhi).  As he achieves total identification of his consciousness with his breath and enters samadhi, he is in union (Yoga) with Universal Spirit (Brahma).

Yoga breathing disciplines usually involve measured breathing rhythms: The inhale is taken for a given number of beats, then the breath is held for a measured number of beats, then the exhale is released to a specific count, followed by another hold for another number of beats.  This cycle is repeated over and over until attention is totally withdrawn from the surroundings and from the internal condition of the Yogi.  The exhale is generally pushed, so the lungs are deliberately and consciously pressed to near emptiness.  As the Yogi becomes better able to do so, he may consciously alter the amplitude of the inhale and may also speed up or slow down the frequency with which breaths are drawn.  Thus, for example, one exercise is to cut the time taken for a given number of breath cycles in half for another such number of cycles and then in half again, and again, until the breath is drawn so quickly and so shallowly that there is no perceptible breath at all.

Some Pranayama exercises are calculated to evoke specific negative emotions and associated memories, with the aim of releasing these through "appropriate" behavior.  Thus, for example, Rajneesh advised devotees to breathe the rapid, forced pattern called the Breath of Fire, evoking rage and frustration that can then be "released" by screaming or weeping.

Eventually, the Yogi proves his control over himself (Mastery) by being able to produce all sorts of measured breathing patterns, each differing in amplitude and frequency, without any interruption from emotion, thought, or body sensation.

Yogic breathing is aimed at mastery and control.  It is an exercise in Self discipline.

To me, instructors in Yoga sometimes sound like drum majors, calling out the changes in the breath to an obedient student who promptly changes his breathing patterns as ordered.

As I experience it, Yogic breathing is complicated and unnatural in its pauses and in its measured breath excursions.

Thus Pranayama stands in total opposition to the breath of Rebirthing which is the natural surrender to the breath, and the assignment to the breath of the task of throwing out old garbage.

This is especially apparent when the exhale is examined.  Once the nerve signals causing inspiration stop, tension is no longer produced by the intercostal muscles which raise and spread the ribs or by the diaphragm as it contracts down into the abdomen.  At that point, the exhale starts.

The Rebirthing exhale is simply the consequences of the increased pressure on the inflated lungs produced by the collapse of the ribs and the snapping back of the diaphragm when the inspiration stops.  There is no forcing of the exhale nor is there any slowing down or control of the exhaled air stream.  The Rebirthing exhale is almost purely a consequence of the reduction in lung space as the ribs and diaphragm let go and collapse the chest.

The Rebirthing exhale can thereby be seen to conform to the laws of material nature.  The natural reaction of something which isn't supported is for it to drop-as Newton showed us with his apple.  As the ribs drop and the diaphragm snaps back, there is no longer a vacuum created in the chest into which the lungs are drawn as they inflate.  Therefore, they deflate.  Nothing simpler or more natural. 

Whether the lungs are fully inflated or not, the ribs and diaphragm collapse at essentially the same rate, as Galileo showed us.  So most unguarded exhales are about the same length.  The exhale is usually a very quickly accomplished matter, as the lungs push the exhaled breath through the open throat which offers almost no resistance.

The inhale, at least in the beginning of Rebirthing, may seem less simple and natural-but only because of the influence of old belief systems which may influence the Rebirthing individual to take less than a full breath.  If such belief systems are not operating, the Rebirther breathes in fully and freely and deeply and gently, very naturally.