25-year-old Audra Bear claims she no longer needs solid foods and instead gets all her essential nutrients from smoothes, teas and air. The Minneapolis native practices "breatharianism," which has believers saying there is "prana," or energy, in the air and when you breathe properly, the air nourishes you so much that you don't need solid food. Every day, Audra takes between 40 minutes and three hours to do her breathing rituals, which she says leave her feeling more satisfied than if she just finished a meal. She still ingests pureed fruits and vegetables in the form of smoothies, and some tea, but it's the fasting and breathing that allow her "to receive energy and nourishment." One time she fasted for 97 days.
Not surprisingly, nutritionists warn that the practice is not only potentially harmful but there is "no scientific evidence that breathing offers essential nutrients." On top of that, only eating fruits and vegetables means your body misses out on many other crucial nutrients found in other food groups.
Audra hasn't given up food entirely - when she is out with friends and family, she eats proper meals, but since starting the lifestyle eight months ago she has lost 14 pounds.
As for why she has chosen to live this way, she told the Daily Mail,
"Prana is another word for energy, also known as Qi or Chi. It is a life-giving force that flows in, through and around all things, it's in the air we breathe, the sunshine, nature, connections with people and all living things. It is a powerful energy that actually has the ability to fuel and sustain us as humans. Living a pranic lifestyle is about shifting your focus from nourishing your body with denser sources (food) to less denser sources (energy), all the while keeping in mind that food is not bad, you can enjoy food if you want to."
As for the breathing exercises, she explained, "There is something magical about conscious, controlled breathing that brings you with a face to face meeting with yourself, it brings you back to the core of your being. Breathwork helps you to realize who you are and what you need or don't need. I never intended to 'quit food' I just started practicing for 40 minutes a day and after about five days I no longer had such a hunger for dense foods."
Audra knows breatharianism isn't for everyone. She stated, "I wouldn't recommend anyone to fast, cleanse or restrict without first learning about the breath. You can also experience prana through time in nature, sunbathing, earthing, creating and playing. You can eat if you choose to, for entertainment or social settings, know your energy is sourced from the life-force all around you. Most days I just drink teas, fruit juices, green juices and fresh coconut waters. I do eat occasionally now, but more for celebratory reasons. My energy is heightened, my senses are stronger, and I'm feeling the healthiest I've ever been. I feel relaxed about life and a deeper connection to myself."
You can follow her here.
Photo: Instagram/AudraBear