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150+ Quotes about Breathing and Breath

Breathing is the natural process that allows us to be alive. Therefore breathing is incredibly important for our survival and wellbeing. Yet a lot of people underestimate the power and benefits of proper breathing. 

The powerful teachings of breathing have the potential of changing lives. It relieves the soul, cures fears and sets us up for success if we learn to do it right. In fact, if we don’t control our breath, it will control us. Stressful situations cause us to feel short of breath, tired and even sick, but did you know controlled breathing is one of the most popular techniques to fight stress? 

Scroll down to read some great breathing and breath quotes to help you calm down and see life differently. 

Original Breath Quotes

Anybody who knows me knows that I love to write quotes as much as I like to read them. These next couple of quotes are all actually written by me. They are unique, and this blog is the only places you’ll ever find them. They are unique and original breath quotes to inspire you breathe.

person breathing deeply with the quote a mindful breath does wonders for the soul
lady doing yoga with the breathing quote about every day starting with breaths of gratitude

“A mindful breath does wonder for the soul.” – Inspire with Quotes

“When you are stressed and the world seems like too much to handle, you have two options: freak out, or, take a deep breath. I choose the latter, it is much more productive.” – Inspire with Quotes

“Step one: Breathe. Step two: Gratitude. Step three: Smile” – Inspire with Quotes

“Every good day starts with a few breaths of gratitude.” – Inspire with Quotes

“Remembering that breathing gives us life will allow you to understand the importance of breathing mindfully and deeply.” – Inspire with Quotes

Why I love this quote: This quote’s about the importance of breathing deeply, and that when you remember the importance of our breath you will give it more thought and time.

“Breathing is the single most important thing that you will do each day. Let that sink in. Something so easy, thoughtless, and mundane is so important. I wonder how this relates to other aspects of our lives?” – Inspire with Quotes

Quotes about Mindful Breathing 

Practicing mindful breathing offers many physical, mental and emotional benefits. It helps us stay connected with our consciousness and find a better and calmer version of ourselves. I recently adopted a daily breathing practice and I feel has increasingly helped me to feel happier and more in balance. 

These quotes about breathing abd breathe descriube how important it is to be mindful about our breathe and to stop frequently and take long, depp, breaths.

I hope you enjoy these breathing quotes as much as I do!

woman meditating with the quote about "breathing out what I can;t control"
lady spinning in a field of yellow flowers breathing deeply

“I meditate. I breathe out what I can’t control and focus on the positives.” – Deepika Padukone

“Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break.” – Akiroq Brost

“Sometimes, the most productive thing that you can do is to step outside and do nothing… relax and enjoy nature.” – Melanie Charlene

Why I love this quote:  We live in an overly productive world. From as early as 7 am we’re already answering emails and solving issues. We confuse being busy with being productive. But there’s nothing good from being busy all the time, only fatigue. So, take some time off and allow yourself to do nothing! Relax and reconnect. Hiking quotes also often convey the same message.

“Bliss begins with the breath. We breathe in and accept all that is new. We breathe out, and release all that has passed.” – Sara Wiseman

“I love being in the woods when I can just walk barefoot in the grass and just sit down and breathe. I love that so much.” – Jessie Reyez

“I take a few moments in the morning just to breathe while I drink my morning coffee or right before I get out of bed.” – Ayesha Curry

“What excites me is just taking some time to breathe in life. The mundane is very exciting.” – Viola Davis

Quote Interpretation: The mundane life is already exciting! Mostly when we’re young, we crave adventure as we think danger will make us feel alive. On the other hand, the only thing that really makes us feel alive is breathing. Once we learn that, we can say that we’ve lived well. 

“Breathe. To Pause. To make space. To collect your thoughts. To remember. To face the next moment. To choose.”

“I will breathe. I will think of solutions. I will not let my worry control me. I will not let my stress level break me. I will simply breathe. And it will be okay. Because I don’t quit.” – Shayne McClendon

“The breath is always present. It lives and dies so quickly it doesn’t have time to occupy thoughts.” – Psil Silva

“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go, and see what happens.”

“The breath is a small daily reminder of the cyclic nature of life. We are constantly inhaling and exhaling in our lives. We take in information and let it go. We rise like the breath and we also fall. Sometimes we feel full and sometimes we are empty.” – Jenny C. Bell

“Sometimes life takes you into a dark place where you feel it’s impossible to breathe. You think you’ve been buried, but don’t give up, because if truth be told, you’ve actually been planted.” – Karen Gibbs.

a woman sitting in a field breathing with a quote about taking a deep breath and being patient
woamn breathing in air near trees with a quote about taking a deep breath and picking yourself up

“When the breath is unsteady, all is unsteady; when the breath is still; all is still. Control the breath carefully. Inhalation gives strength and a controlled body; retention gives steadiness of mind and longevity; exhalation purifies body and spirit.” – Goraksasathakam

“You will get there when you are meant to get there and not one moment sooner… so relax, breathe, and be patient.” – Mandy Hale

About the author: Mandy Hale, is an American author best known for her book “The Single Woman”. Many phrases from this book are used as inspiration and witty quotes today all around the world.

“Be happy. God gave you a breath to breathe every day. You don’t need to be mad about nothing’.” – Lamar Jackson

“We breathe when we’re wrong, we breathe when we’re right, we breathe even as we slip off the ledge toward an early grave. It cannot be undone. So I breathe.” – Tahereh Mafi

Quote Interpretation: Breathing is the only thing that’s left. When we breathe, we let go of all the anger and frustration and feel calmer. Even if we all have the same destiny. Breathing is always here to show us life can be good.

“Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” – Frank Sinatra

“Ignore the noises around you that polarize and try to promote fear and division. You know better. Be better. Breathe.” – Gregory S. Williams

“The quality of your life is measured by the number of deep breaths you take. Make each breath count.” – Richie Norton

“Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.”

Why I love this Quote: Getting outside to get fresh air is good for the soul. Quotes about walking in nature also tell us the importance of spending sometime outside.

“The air we breathe is necessary to keep us alive, but we must continually breathe it out so we can breathe fresh air back into our lungs. God gives us his love, which we can keep in action by breathing it out to others, thus making room in our hearts for a fresh supply of love.” – John Templeton

“When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you want to breathe, it is then you shall have it.” – Socrates

Quote Interpretation: That when something is important, you make it happen! With this particular breath quote, Socrates is saying that breathing is essential, and that we should treat insight and wisdom the same way.

“I learned that when life pulls you under, you can kick against the bottom, break the surface, and breathe again.” – Sheryl Sandberg.

“The sun loves the moon so much that he dies every night to let her breathe.” – Jeffrey Fry, ‘Distilled Thoughts’

“Now breathe, and step out again, a step further from the past. Step into the streets as narrow as bones, the white streets of the labyrinth, and breathe deeply. Breathe, and step out once more.” – Kevin Barry

lady smiling with her eyes closed with the breathing quote about letting go of worries with your breath
person doing yoga with a mountains and a sunset in the background and a quote about taking a deep breath of gratitude

“Think about every good thing in your life right now. Free yourself of worrying. Let go of the anxiety, breathe. Stay positive, all is well.” – Germany Kent

Quote Interpretation:  Breathing is the solution for busy minds. Actually breathing is one of the best therapy for anxiety attacks. When you focus on your breath, you can forget about your problems, at least for a couple of minutes.

“I think I’m just breathing, that’s all. And there’s a difference between breathing and being alive.” – John Boyne

“Breathe out unwanted thoughts with your exhale and re-focus your attention directly on what is important right now, at this moment.” Amit Ray

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

About the Author: Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic Philosopher and Roman emperor. He is best known for his book “To Himself”. His quotes are known around the world.

“You flourish one hushed breath at a time. Imagine all you can build word by single word.” – Laurie Seidler

“If you just remember to breathe and smile before you act, you’ll always make the right decision.” – Russell Simmons

“Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“When life is foggy, path is unclear and mind is dull, remember your breath. It has the power to give you the peace. It has the power to resolve the unsolved equations of life.” – Amit Ray

Why I love this Quote: This is true. When I don’t know what to do, I always practice meditation. What is meditation? The act of breathing consciously and clear out the mind. 

Short Breathe Quotes

Not all quotes have to be long and wordy. Some of my very favorite quotes are super short. These next quotes about breathing and short and sweet. They also make great captions for Instagram or social media posts. Direct, short, and impactful. Enjoy!

Shadow of a lady breathing deeply with a quote "you can only breathe out if you breathe in"
lady stretching in a garden with the quote about inhaling blessings and exhaling gratitude

“For science must breathe the oxygen of freedom.” – John Polanyi

“Be all you can breathe.”

“Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.” – Robert Southwell

“I have to be a star like another man has to breathe.” – Sammy Davis, Jr.

“Breathe deeply and remember to love.” – Scott Stabile

“You can only breathe out if you breathe in.” – John Lennon

“As long as I breathe, I attack.” – Bernard Hinault

“Take every breath as an event.” – Arzum Uzun

“Some things are out of your control, but not your breath.” – R.S. Grey

Why I love this Quote: The last thing you should lose control of is your breathing. Once beyond that, you’re completely out of control. That’s why I never let my breathing be out of control.

“And when I breathed, my breath was lightning.” – Black Elk

“I write for the same reason I breathe because if I didn’t, I would die.” – Isaac Asimov

“Inhale blessings, exhale gratitude…”- Jessica Robinson

“That breath that you just took…that’s a gift.” – Rob Bell

“A breath is worth a thousand words.”

“Stop breathing around the bush.”

Why I love this quote: I love puns! Many funny quotes are actually puns. For more quotes that will make you laugh out loud, check out my funny hiking quotes and my funny mountain quotes – both blogs are filled with witty puns!

“Don’t put all your breaths in one basket.”

blonde woman smiling and breathing with the quote "you have to breathe it to believe it"
woman breathing deeply with a smile and a quote about breathing out any anger

“Breathe with unconditional breath the unconditioned air.” – Wendell Berry

“Breathing in, let golden light come into you through your head.” – Osho

Why I love this Quote: Osho is one of the most popular figures around meditation and consciousness. He talks a lot about breathing. Only breathing is a constant thing between birth and death. We are breathing continuously from the moment of birth to the moment of death. Everything changes between these two points. Everything changes, nothing remains the same.

“For you, I’ll stay invisible. I’ll be the air you breathe.” – Frances de Pontes Peebles

“You have to breathe it to believe it.”

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

“I breathe in my courage and exhale my fear.”

“He lives most life whoever breathes most air.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“Culture is the air we breathe all around us.” – Josh Rox.

“We breathe, we think, we conceive of our lives as narratives.” – Christopher Lehmann-Haupt

“Revenge is a caustic thing. I say, Breathe in, breathe deeply, let it go.” – Jason Statham

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.” – Eric D. Thomas

Why I love this quote: It tells us that you must really want something to make it happen. This reminds me of quotes about climbing mountains – you will only make it to the top of that mountain if you really want it. The same applies to success. Breathing is vital to our lives, and if you make success just as important you will have no choice but to accomplish it.

“The more we talk about our troubles and our fears, the more life we breathe into them.” – Evinda Lepins

“Sometimes you just have to stop, take a deep breath, and put things into perspective.” – Katrina Mayer

“To live is not breathing it is action.”

“I would like to say that your beauty made it difficult to breathe.” – Waylon H. Lewis

“Every breath is a resurrection.” – Gregory Orr

Quotes about the Importance of Breathing

We all breathing gives us life, so it’s very important. But somehow, as humans, we generally tend to forget this. These next breathing quotes remind us how important breathing is to the mind, body, and soul.

woman breathing outside at sunset with a quote about deep breathing getting rid of all tension
woman smiling at sunset with a quote about living and breathing being pretty marvelous

“Breathing is important in the practice of meditation because it is the faculty in us that is simultaneously voluntary and involuntary. You can feel that you are breathing, and equally you can feel that it is breathing you. So it is a sort of bridge between the voluntary world and the involuntary world — a place where they are one.” – Alan Watts

“Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” – Andrew Weil

Why I love this quote: This quote about breathing is great practical advice. Andrew Weil tells us breathing can help with many physical and mental problems and it is good advice in my opinion.

“As long as a person is breathing, there is hope for them.” – Anthony Kiedis

“One way to break up any kind of tension is good deep breathing.” – Byron Nelson

“Just the fact that you get to live and breathe and interact with the world – that’s pretty marvelous.” – Junot Diaz

“This air we breathe is precious, and the glaciers helped me understand that and stay focused on that.” – James Balog

“Through Christ, you can breathe again, inhaling the wonder of God that always surrounds you, exhaling words and deeds of praise that reflect all of who He is.” – Louie Giglio

“The deep breath you just took to show that your problems are bigger than you, is the final breath someone had taken right now in his life! As long as your breathe is not the final one, you still have a hope!” – Israelmore Ayivor

“It would be ridiculous to hold your breath and blame others for your inability to breathe.” – Steve Maraboli

“You feel yourself a broken one and you still breathe.” – Ehsan Sehgal

“Now but to breathe its praise, minds me in many ways.” – Gerard Manley Hopkins

“Breathe softly into it, accepting all that is present with a healing kindness.” – Jack Kornfield

“In an underdeveloped country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air.”

Quote Interpretation: Some developing countries still don’t have the necessary recourse to provide drinking water to all their citizens. On the other hand, developed countries have tap water perfectly available for drinking, yet you need to pay a lot of money to access fresh air. That’s where the quote “ The best from both worlds” should come from.

“Breathe. Don’t panic and flee. Sink. Feel it all. Imagine. Let it burn.” – Glennon Doyle

“Breathe in, take what life hands you; hold it, accept it; breathe out, let it go.” – Susan Gable

“The more you breathe, the more you feel.” – Isabel Losada

“No man should have to fight to breathe in good health and peace.” – Suzy Kassem

“We breathe so that the trees thrive and the trees breathe so that we are able to live. Perfect symbiosis.” – Sanchita Pandey

Why I love this Quote: It’s beautiful how everything connects perfectly in life and nature. The pure act of breathing gives life to plants and trees. Their presence gives us so much instead. Nature has given us so much that the sole act of breathing seems terribly unfair. 

“Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?”

lady in a winter setting breathing deeply with the quote "the moment you breathe your first breath you won"
woman breathing is with the deep breath quote about "breathing ten tiny breaths and seizing them"

“The moment you breathe your first breath, you won.” – J.R. Rim

“Life is a moving, breathing thing. We have to be willing to constantly evolve. Perfection is constant transformation.”

Related Quotes: For more quotes about transformation and change, check out these butterfly quotes, or for some shorter wittier one, check out these butterfly captions for Instagram.

“Just breathe. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.” – K.A. tucker

“It is a common belief that we breathe with our lungs alone, but in point of fact, the work of breathing is done by the whole body.” – Alexander Lowen

“Breathe gently. Let go of your thoughts, past and future, memories and plans.” – Jack Kornfield

“Breathe quietly and let it be. Let your body relax and your heart soften. Open to whatever you experience without fighting.” – Jack Kornfield

About the Author: Jack Kornfield is a bestselling American author who specializes in writing about meditation. In Thailand, he trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand. Many of his quotes are famous in the realm of meditation and breathwork.

“Conscious breathing is the best antidote to stress, anxiety and depression.” – Amit Ray

“Keep breathing. Just keep doing it. It’s easy. In and out.” – Jenny Downham

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Your omnipresence is marvellous! I breathe and you enter me. I exhale and enter into you.” – Kamand Kojouri

Quote Interpretation: Buddists say we’re the same as our breath. When we breathe in, we inhale someone else’s spirit and when we breathe out, we’re giving away part of us. So breathing is really an exchange of humanity and life. 

“When I stopped to pay attention to where my breathing was deep and settled, the truth began to emerge from the mist.”

“Breathing, according to me, corresponds to taking charge of one’s own life.” – Luce Irigaray

“The air we breathe is still free, but for how much time. I believe someone is busy patenting it to start selling it for profit” – Bangambiki Habyarimana

“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.” – Dalai Lama

“The delicous breath of rain was in the air.” – Kate Chopin

Why I love this Quote: I love the smell of rainy days. The environment feels cosy and it’s the perfect time for some hot cocoa, a delicious soup, hot wine…Rainy days open a world of delicious food. 

Quotes that Inspire you to Breathe and Calm Down

Breathing is so important, and often something we take for granted. These next quotes about breathing remind us to stop and breathe a little. They tell us to slow down, use breath as a way to remain calm and enjoy the simplest things in life. Almost like stopping to smell the roses, stopping to take a deep breath is an easy way to express gratitude, relax, and enjoy the slow moments in life.

woman happy outside with the quote about "breath is the finest gift of nature"
woman breathing with the sun glowing on her and quote about remembering to breathe

“Only when you explore the ecstasy of simply being, where even to breathe is a distraction, can you call yourself complete.” – Sadghuru

“Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift.” – Amit Ray

“Breathe and don’t try to be perfect.” – Nicole Kidman

“While we breathe, we will hope.” – Barack Obama

Quote Interpretation: When we’re feeling hopeless, we sigh. When there’s hope, we breathe again. 

“The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be? it is the same the angels breathe.” – Mark Twain

“Do not be afraid that joy will make the pain worse; it is needed like the air we breathe.” – Goran Persson

“Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.” – Gregory Maguire

“It’s a breath you took too late. It’s a death that’s worse than fate.” – Elvis Costello

“Breathe the change you want to see in the world.”

“Deep breaths are like little love notes to your body.”

Why I love this quote: This breathing quote is a reminder that deep breathing is great for the body. Stop and take a moment to yourself to simply breathe.

“Happiness breathes when you do.” – Terri Guillemets

“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.”

“Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath. Smile, and start again.”

“Each breath is like a little rebirth, a renaissance that can only be celebrated if we recognize that it’s happening.” – Cristen Rodgers

Why I love this Quote: We have a powerful tool always available for us but we’re not fully aware of it. Breathing is the first thing before a positive change. For some, it’s even what could make the change happen. When we breathe properly we are giving ourselves a second chance. 

“Breath is life. We should pay as much attention to it as any other aspect of beingness.” – Swami Nostradamus Virato

“Breathing is meditation; life is a meditation. You have to breathe in order to live, so breathing is how you get in touch with the sacred space of your heart.” – Willow Smith

“If you’re still breathing, you’re still in the race.”

“Take a deep breath and enjoy your life.”

Quote Interpretation: The very first thing we do when we’re born Is take our first deep breath, and we cry. So breathing is life on its origins. Pay attention to your breathing. Learn breathing techniques as many other aspects of humanity and your life will improve. 

“Get your breath out of the clouds.”

woman with the deep breath quote about "taking a deep breath, let the rest come easy"
woman at the ocean taking a breath with the quote about breathing not being the same as being alive

“Breathing affects your respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, muscular, and psychic systems, and also has a general effect on your sleep, memory, ability to concentrate, and your energy levels.” – Donna Farhi

“Breathing dreams like air.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Just because you can’t see the air doesn’t mean you stop breathing, and just because you can’t see God doesn’t mean you stop believing.”

“He lives most life whoever breathes most air.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“As you waste your breath complaining about life, someone out there is breathing their last. Appreciate what you have.”

Why I love this Quote: complaining just leave tiredness and frustration. We waste our time and energy complaining about life, things out of our hands, people, the government, knowing that some others would love to have the chance of using their last breath in praising love and appreciation.

“Birds of a feather breathe together.”

“It’s funny, but you never really think much about breathing. Until it’s all you ever think about.” – Tim Winton

“Take a deep breath. Let the rest come easy.”

“Breathing is not the same as being alive. A great number of people breathe but never live.”

“Words are the bones. Writing is the lungs. Reading is like breathing.” – T.L. Crain

“Remember, as long as you are breathing it’s never too late to start a new beginning.”

Quote Interpretation:  Some people think it’s too late to start again. A new career, a new hobby, new friendships, when the reality is that while you’re still breathing, what is stopping you from trying? You have the first step covered! So don’t waste your time on hesitations and regret it later! Start now. 

“Every breath has a silver lining.”

“Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Whenever you’re feeling down — just breathe. Everything will work its way out in the end.” – Johnny Lung

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

“When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world.” – BKS Inyengar

“Whatever is going to happen in life will happen. Just be thankful to be alive — to be breathing.” – Johnny Lung

Why I love this Quote: I believe we can all decide our destiny with our actions. Our destiny is in our hands. Yet I also believe there’s an element of luck or faith, there are certain things in life that are destined to happen and teach us something. So be open to it. Life is good and full of teachings. Trust it will work out. 

“It can still be a good day if the only thing you did was breathe.” – Johnny Lung

“I wake up every day and think, ‘I’m breathing! It’s a good day.’” – Eve Ensler

“There is one way of breathing that is shameful and constricted. Then there’s another way; a breath of love that takes you all the way to infinity.” – Rumi

“Breathing control gives man strength, vitality, inspiration, and magic powers.” – Zhuangzi.

“A healthy mind has an easy breath.”

Find more quotes…

I hope you found the quotes above as game-changing and inspirational as I did. It’s easy to forget how important it is to keep a conscious breathing practice. Fortunately, you found this article to remind you! 

If you are looking for more deep inspirational quotes you can check out 101+ Inspiring Butterfly Quotes about Change and Transformation. Otherwise, you can also read 60+ Inspiring Hiking Quotes (that’ll make you want to go hiking right now!)

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