HealthCare

YOGIC BREATHING TECHNIQUES - PRANAYAMA

You can help alleviate stress through the simple practice of yogic breathing.
Among other things, breathing loads your blood with oxygen, which,
by nourishing and repairing your body’s cells, maintains your health at the
most desirable level. Shallow breathing, which is common, doesn’t oxygenate
the ten pints of blood circulating in your arteries and veins very efficiently.
Consequently, toxins accumulate in the cells. Before you know it, you feel
mentally sluggish and emotionally down, and eventually organs begin to
malfunction. Is it any wonder that the breath is the best tool you have to profoundly affect your body and mind?

Pranayama is one of the most important Sadhanas. Through the practice of Asana, you can control the physical body and through Pranayama, you can
control the subtle, astral body or the Linga Sarira. As there is an intimate connection between the breath and nerve-currents, control of breath leads to the control of vital inner currents.

Pranayama is an exact science. It is the fourth Anga or limb of Ashtanga Yoga. “Tasmin Sati Svasa prasvasayorgativicchedah Pranayamah”—Regulation of breath or the control of Prana is the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation, which follows after securing that steadiness of posture
or seat, Asana. Thus is Pranayama defined in Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Chapter
‘Svasa’ means inspiratory breath and ‘Prasvasa’ is expiratory breath. Breath is external manifestation of Prana, the vital force. Breath like electricity, is gross Prana. Breath is Sthula, gross.
Prana is Sukshma, subtle. By exercising control over this breathing you can control the subtle Prana inside. Control of Prana means control of mind. Mind cannot operate without the help of Prana. The vibrations of Prana only produce thoughts in the mind. It is Prana that moves the mind. It is Prana
that sets the mind in motion. It is the Sukshma Prana or Psychic Prana that is intimately connected with the mind. This breath represents the important fly-wheel of an engine. Just as the other wheels stop when the driver stops the fly-wheel, so also other organs cease working, when the Yogi stops
the breath. If you can control the fly-wheel, you can easily control the other wheels. Likewise, if you can control the external breath, you can easily control the inner vital force, Prana. The process by which the Prana is controlled by regulation of external breath, is termed Pranayama.

Most Powerful Yoga Breathing Exercise (Pranayama)