Pranayama – Controlled Breathing Bioenergy
Breathing is one of the most vital functions as it supplies the body with oxygen and gets rid of waste products and toxins from the body. Breathing occurs spontaneously, automatically, and naturally. So it seems rather silly to think that one can be trained how to breathe. Unknowingly and unintentionally one’s breathing becomes modified and restricted in various ways, not just momentarily but habitually.
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama means “controlled breathing”. Pranayama teaches you the art and science of proper breathing whereby, absorbing prana through breath control links our body, mind, and spirit, the benefit of which is clearly mentioned by Patanjali, an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi, in his Yoga Sutras. Through pranayama, one can: develop concentration, fight stress and relax the mind and body”
Pranayama comes from the following words:
The four stages of Pranayama breathing techniques:
- Puraka (Inhalation) : Draw in air in a smooth and continuous manner.
- Abhyantara Kumbhaka (Breath Retention): Deliberately stop the flow and retention of the air in the lungs, without any movement of lungs, muscles or any part of the body.
- Rechaka (Exhalation): now exhale smoothly and continuously.
- Bahya Kumbhaka (Suspension): the empty pause, completes the cycle, which terminates as the pause ends and a new inhalation begins.
A rhythm of 4-2-8 can be used. Count to 4 while breathing in, hold your breath for a count of 2 and then exhale to 8 counts. This means that you exhale double the time longer than you inhale.
Several researchers have reported that pranayama and yoga exercises like sun salutation pose (surya namaskar) are beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, improving autonomic functions, relieving symptoms of asthma, and reducing signs of oxidative stress and many more.
A word of caution, Pranayama should not be forced and done without proper guidance, or it may lead to nervous breakdowns. If done incorrectly, it can lead to confusion or madness.
Ten Advantages of Pranayama:
Health Benefits of Regular Practice of Deep Breathing Exercises:
- One learns to breathe through his/her belly which is the better and healthier way of breathing
- Enables expansion of lungs to its maximum
- Removes waste products like carbon dioxide and toxic gases from body by increasing the flow of oxygen to blood and brain
- Removes blockages in body and clears nasal passages
- Increases rate of metabolism
- Strengthens the Immune system
- Improves concentration levels and focus
- Controls blood pressure, headaches, migraines and a whole range of health problems
- Provides better emotional control and equilibrium
