DETROIT – Is it possible to meditate and live off just the air and sunlight? Just recently, actress Michelle Pfeiffer made national headlines claiming that when she first got to Hollywood she was involved with a Breathairian couple who did just that.
Breathairians claim that as they breathe, they literally inhale the ether or the energy out of the air and that nourishes their body. But is it a real religion or a cult? We'll let you decide.
It does sound crazy. We all know that we need food or at least water to get energy. But what if we could get that energy from a different source to our bodies?
One local woman says not only is this possible, but she's helping people do it, and she showed Local 4 how she claims it's all done.
Her name is Norma Gentile and she meditates on a daily basis. The type of meditation she does, however, is used by a special group of people known as Breathairians.
"It's about nourishing yourself so completely, from spirit, from nature, from all that's around you, that there is no need for food," said Gentile.
Those who practice the lifestyle claim to get the energy they would typically get from food from the energy in their breath, the air or the sun while meditating.
"It's something that for many people, because it is a little odd, want to do," said Gentile. "They want to somehow magically become a Breathairian so that they don't have to eat food or drink water."
Gentile, from Ypsilanti, claims she is not a Breathairian herself, but creates Breathairian meditation music that has connected her with Breathairians from all over the world.
"(I've met) one who's been a Breathairian for 13 years, and from what he says, he hasn't really eaten or had water in that time period," said Gentile.
Through her own meditation Gentile's even been able to channel energy allowing her to go without water for a short period of time, much like others who practice this lifestyle.
"That's the quality of energy that I've noticed Breathairians tend to be able to access in order to hydrate to create water within the cells of their own bodies," said Gentile.
"The idea of surviving on air alone -- no water, no food -- is absolutely insane, quite frankly," said Doctor Frank McGeorge.
Doctor McGeorge explains that not only is this lifestyle not healthy, it's impossible.
"You cannot live without food long term," said McGeorge. "Now, you can live short term without food, weeks, maybe even months, but you're going to gradually begin to shrink because your body has to eat something. "The point that I'm attempting to make here is it is rare."
Though admitting that it could be fatal, Gentile still believes in the Breathairian way of life.
Local 4's Evrod Cassimy tried meditating with Gentile himself. With the use of Tibetan bowls, she taught Cassimy how Breathairians get energy from meditation instead of food. She believes this is the start of practicing a Breathairian lifestyle.
"People are going to think that you're crazy, Norma!" said Cassimy.
"That's okay," replied Gentile. "That's alright. I'm attempting to show and just speak on behalf of all those people out there that are willing to try something different."
It's unclear exactly how many people around the world actually practice Breathairianism. Gentile just enjoys making meditation music for them to meditate with.
Despite what doctors say, Gentile hopes her music will help non-believers open their minds to an alternative lifestyle.