PRANAYAMA
"When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still.
Pranayama
Pranayama is derived from two Sanskrit words, ‘Prana’ (life-energy/force) and ‘Ayama’ (control). Pranayama therefore means control of life force. This vital energy flows through your body and gives you life. There are five types of Pranas which together maintain the entire function of our physical body. They are Prana, Apana, Vyan, Udana & Samana. Out of these Prana and Apana are most important. Prana is upward flowing and Apana is downward flowing. During inhalation Prana Vayu meets Apana Vayu. During exhalation, the Apana within the body moves towards the Prana. Practice of Pranayama achieves the balance in the activities of these Pranas, which results in healthy body and mind.
Types of Pranayama
Omkar, Brahmari, Sheetali, Sheetkari, Ujjayi, Agnisar, Bhastrika, Anulom-vilom, Nadi Shodhana, Suryabedi, Chandrabedi and Sivananda Pranayama
By regular practice of Pranayama, one can become aware of the breath, one develops the power of concentration. Pranayama also purifies the body and the mind and prepares us for meditation. It deals with mental conditions like depression, negativity, stress, and anxiety. It induces lightness of body, inner peace, better sleep and sharp memory. It increases life span and helps us live better. All the diseases can be avoided, prevented and controlled. So, Pranayama strengthens, protects and energizes our body and mind.
Know your Breathing Power
Pranayama is the science of breath. It is the hub around which the wheel of life revolves. In one minute while walking, we breathe 12 to 18 breaths; averages 15 breaths, while sitting 12 times, while walking 18 times, while running 20 times, while lust and anger 72 times, while doing Pranayamas like Omkar & Brahmari we breathe only 3 to 4 times in 1 minute. It means that we do 4 Omkar or 4 Bhrahmari in 1 minute, each is for 15 seconds. In this way, we are saving 11 breaths & are getting 11 seconds extra oxygen with one breath. So, Pranayama establishes regular breathing pattern, teaches how to control & extend the breath, re-establishing the natural, relaxed rhythms of the body and mind and prolong life. A study conducted in early India showed that animals which breathe slowly live the longest such as tortoise, elephant, crocodile etc. Those who breathe in short, quick gasps are likely to have a shorter life span such as dog, rabbit, birds etc. This is because the respiration is directly related to the heart. A slow & deep breathing rate keeps the heart stronger and better nourished and contributes to a longer life.
A Yogi measures the span of life by the number of breaths, not by the number of years.
—Swami Sivananda
Sitting Posture for Pranayama (Pic)
Sit in a steady and comfortable posture. Keep your spine and head erect. You can keep your hands on the knees in Gyan Mudra posture (join the tips of the index fingers to the tips of the thumbs while keeping the other fingers extended & loose). Close your eyes gently. Relax all the muscles. Make sure the body and mind are relaxed.
Pranayama is a science & one must learn it properly under the guidance of a professional Yoga teacher.