Inside India’s Biggest Breathing Challenge

Inside India’s Biggest Breathing Challenge

From the toxic grey blanket that swallows Delhi to the lung-burning smog that settles over cities like Kanpur, Patna, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, Varanasi, Prayagraj and parts of Kolkata, millions of Indians wake up each day to an invisible battle hidden in every breath they take. Amid this environmental uncertainty, a quiet yet powerful movement has emerged — transforming anxiety into awareness, helplessness into personal empowerment.

At the heart of this national shift stands Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar — Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, a visionary yogic master and spiritual guru — who is turning ancient Himalayan breathing sciences into a nationwide shield for physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

The Birth of “India Breathe Again”

Launched in November 2025, India Breathe Again is a seven-day nationwide breathing movement designed to reconnect people with their most fundamental life force — the breath.
The initiative was created as a structured, guided breath empowerment programme, where every day for seven days, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar Ji introduced one carefully structured pranayama each day, making it accessible for citizens to practice daily for seven minutes.
Each day focused on a specific yogic breathing technique:

● Bhastrika Pranayama for energising the body
● Surya Nadi Shodhan to activate vitality and warmth
● Chandra Nadi Shodhan to cultivate calmness and mental balance
● Kapalbhati for cleansing and strengthening respiratory pathways
● Bhastrika with Kumbhaka (breath retention) to enhance lung capacity
● Anulom Vilom to harmonise both hemispheres of the brain

Backed by online sessions, community participation, and shared experiences from across the country, India Breathe Again became a unifying wave — connecting school children, professionals, elders, athletes, home-makers and entire families through the simple discipline of breath.
At a time when rising pollution continues to strain physical and emotional health across India, this initiative offered a practical, accessible and powerful tool to stabilize the mind, strengthen the lungs and restore a sense of control.

The Himalayan Roots of a Modern Guru

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar was born on 28 August 1983 in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh — in the sacred land associated with Sidh Baba Balak Nath ji, revered across the region. From the tender age of five, he began receiving guidance from wandering sages, yogis and Siddhas who moved through those mountain regions. Sitting with them, observing them, and absorbing their teachings through the traditional guru-shishya parampara, he entered the Himalayan sciences as a lived and experiential journey.

For him, yoga emerged as a complete system of refinement — a discipline that strengthens the human structure, organises thought, harmonises energy, and awakens higher intelligence. It became a path that shapes the practitioner with clarity, stability and purpose. His consistent message has been that when a person learns to organise their breath, mind and awareness, they begin to experience life with greater depth, clarity and purpose.

As the Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, one of India’s prominent yoga institutions, he has taught more than 20 million practitioners across the globe through online and in-person training. A significant part of his student community comes from East and Southeast Asia — Taiwan, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong as well as in the United States, the United Kingdom — where his teachings have gained strong resonance.

An eloquent writer and a widely respected voice in the fields of yoga and Himalayan sciences, Siddhaa Akshar has authored several bestselling books, including The Science of Mudra and Yoga Namaskar. Beyond books, he has written over 10,000 articles across more than 100 national and international publications, contributing substantially to contemporary literature on Yoga, Health, Pranayama, Mudra, Meditation and

Himalayan knowledge systems.

He is also the Founder of Siddha Abhyaas, a structured Himalayan discipline designed to work precisely on the human system. This sequential practice strengthens the spine, organises the nervous system and supports the body’s natural healing capacity. Rooted in ancient Siddha wisdom, Siddha Abhyaas follows a clear progression, enabling steady development across physical, mental and subtle dimensions.
His contribution to the modern yogic landscape lies in his ability to translate ancient Himalayan techniques into structured, accessible systems suited for contemporary life. Alongside Siddha Abhyaas, he has introduced powerful practices such as Siddha Walk, Healing Walk, Siddhohum Kriya, and a wide spectrum of meditation methodologies including State Meditation, Ardha Jal Magna Dhyān, Seed Meditation, Superpower Meditation, as well as refined mudra sciences like Mahāshakti Mudra, Kuber Mudra, Gupta Ganesh Mudra, Kapāl Hakini Mudra and Quantum Mudra.
Through these disciplines, Siddhaa Akshar continues to strengthen the bridge between classical Himalayan sciences and modern human needs, enabling practitioners to cultivate stability, refined awareness and sustained wellbeing through structured yogic practice.

Under his leadership, Akshar Yoga Kendraa created 21 Guinness World Records in Yogasanas, including an unprecedented achievement of breaking 12 records in a single day — many of which surpassed existing benchmarks set in countries like China and Hongkong. This stands as a testament to the discipline, precision and strength cultivated through his training systems.
Beyond records and accolades, he has guided numerous eminent athletes, artists and professionals seeking advanced yogic training. His role through organisations such as the International Siddha Foundation reflects his commitment to using yogic sciences for human welfare and meaningful cultural exchange.

Why Now?

So, why is “India Breathe Again” launching right now? The need couldn’t be more pressing. With India facing one of its worst air-quality seasons, where AQI levels are causing school closures and health warnings, Akshar recognized a chance to empower people during these systemic delays.

“Before we transform the world around us, we must learn to transform our inner environment,” he explains in the campaign’s press release. Taking cues from science, such as a 2023 study in Cell Reports Medicine that found cyclic sighing can reduce stress more quickly than meditation, Akshar is incorporating yogic breathwork to tackle the hidden effects of pollution. This includes issues like inflammation, oxidative stress, and mood swings that worsen India’s happiness paradox.

India tops global surveys for daily contentment; 90% of Indians report happiness in the 2025 Ipsos tracker, fueled by family ties and festivals; yet ranks 118th in the World Happiness Report, dragged down by environmental woes and inequities.

Akshar’s initiative is all about closing the gap between ancient wisdom and modern, tech-friendly formats. “We’re showing that even in a world where the air is often polluted, everyone can tap into their breath as a powerful healing tool,” he emphasizes, pointing out sessions designed for professionals, families, and creators.

One Breath, Millions of Ripples

The movement’s ripple effects are already palpable. Participants report sharper focus, better sleep, and a 44% drop in anxiety after similar programs, per studies. In a country where air pollution robs us of not just fresh air but also our happiness, Akshar’s invitation to “breathe together” feels like a breath of fresh air itself. It’s not a replacement for policy changes like cleaner fuels or emission laws, but a personal arsenal while those wheels turn.

As the campaign’s teaser video on Instagram captures, contrasting urban smog with serene inhales, Akshar speaks of a future shaped by conscious participation:
“The strength of a nation begins with the strength of its people. When a citizen learns to work with the breath, the body grows resilient, the mind gains clarity, and life begins to align with purpose. This is how a healthier India is built — one disciplined breath at a time.” he says. These practices have the potential to improve lung function, and also encourage people to make a collective commitment to a healthier and happier lifestyle. In a country where festivals celebrate unity, the most significant change toward achieving that unity could be learning how to breathe together.