Yoga Breathing - Pranayama

What is Pranayama?

"Prana means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or

strength. It also connotes the soul as opposed to the body. The
word is generally used in the plural to indicate vital breaths.
Ayama means length, expansion, stretching or restraint.
Pranayama thus connotes extension of breath and its
control." [Light on Yoga, B. K. S. Iyengar]

Pranayama is the control of ones breath and the extension and expansion of life
force throughout the body. Prana is in everything. It is the string through the
hummingbird, it is the wind through the trees, and it is the buzzing of the bee.
Prana is the energy, which connects us. It is the energy, which is separated
from the body. It is the energy, which we connect with through our breath and
how we extend its life throughout the body.

Pranayama exercises are done through the nose. The nose is extremely
functional in filtering and warming the air that enters the body with its thin
nasal hairs. Breathing through the nose also heats the body. This is very helpful
during the practice of Yoga Asanas. The warmth of the body and the breath
helps the practitioner soften into the pose, whilst remaining strong and
focused.
Breathing through the nose is important too as prana enters the body more
steadily through the nose. Prana is able to reach the central nervous system and
the brain by passing the olfactory organs at the back of the nose. Thus it is
important to breath deeply from the core, filling the entire lung.

There are three steps to proper deep Pranayama breathing

The first is inhalation or 'puraka'. This is the filling up of the lungs with filtered
air through the nose. Breathe from the core, expanding the lungs. The chest
lifts up.

The next step is retention or 'kumbhaka'. There is no inhalation or exhalation.

Like with all Yoga asanas retaining the pose is very important to accomplish
focus and strength. Retention of the breath is to be done without strain. One is
to be relaxed and focused. When there is strain, the quality of the breath is
altered and focus is lost.
The state where breath is held after a full inhalation and before exhalation
begins is known as 'antara kumbhaka'.
The state where retention is practiced after a full exhalation and before
inhalation is done is called bahya kumbhaka. Antara means inner and bahya
means outer.. Therefore, kumbhaka or retention is the time interval
between inhalation (puraka) and exhalation (rechaka).

The third step to pranayama is exhalation, 'rechaka'. Exhalation needs the

practitioner to lengthen the out-breath by slowing down its release and
completely emptying out the lungs. Contracting the throat muscles and making
the ocean sound on the exhalation can achieve this.

Practice pranayama and notice its rhythm. Rhythms are important

physiologically. It is through proper rhythm that the heart beats.
There have been many discussions on the importance of stages.
Some have argued that inhalation is the more important stage of breathing.
However, if exhalation did not clean out the lungs as thoroughly, the amount of
air inhaled would be limited.
Some have said that the retention and its length play more importance.
Personally, I feel that with any asana, it is all very important. All are dependant
on the other for its proper rhythm of life force or prana entering and moving
through body.

The importance of Pranayama

Pranayama is important to detoxify the lungs. All noxious air is let out and the
lung is emptied. The practitioner now has the ability to bring in clean, air.
Pranayama should be practiced in a setting, which is not too cold or too hot.
The body has to be completely comfortable without any strain, or tension from
climate. If it is slightly cooler, cover ones shoulders with a blanket.
Yoga Breathing and pranayama teaches one how to control breathing and
ultimately how to control the mind. When one is anxious, afraid or overly
excited, the breath is faster and the heart beats faster and more irregular.
When you are relaxed and calm, your breathing is slower and you are able to
think clearer. By being aware of the mind and how it fluctuates during
pranayama exercises and ultimately how to harness the mind to focus on
breathing, one is getting ready to meditate and concentrate.

Pranayama as B. K. S. Iyengar says is the science of breath. All of life revolves

around breath and its rhythm. Thus yogis follow rhythmic patterns through
slow deep breathing. The rhythmic patterns strengthen the respiratory system
by expanding the intake capacity of the lungs and improving its release. It
soothes the nervous system through nasal breathing and calms cravings by
helping to control the mind and its thoughts. As cravings are set free, the mind
finds focus and is now able to focus.
Meditation is thus not the denial of all thoughts that enter the mind, but rather
the objective viewing of them and then redirecting ones attention to the breath.

Pranayama Practice

As with all Yoga, Pranayama is to be practiced, regularly to get to a clear state

of consciousness. One does no perfect pranayama at once. Many have struggled
a great deal when introduced to its discipline. It is advisable to practice with a
Guru. It is also helpful to start off slow with easy, simpler breath awareness
exercises. The viewing of the breath and noticing how it moves through the
body, is a great start on the path.

Practice Pranayama, breathing in 'SO-' and exhaling 'HAM', internally. This

means 'the immortal spirit am I'.
Another mantra to breathe is inhalation 'HAM' and exhalation 'SAH'.
HAMSAH is means ' I am He'.

Both these mantras are the sound or breath of every living being that lives and
has prana running through its soul. This is the breath of life. God, is within
each and every one of us. As we meditate this through our practice, we are all
eternally blessed.

Blessings to you
Namaste

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