One of the eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is
Pranayam.
Pranayam is made
up of two words Prana + Ayam.
Prana is the
vital force present in whole cosmos. We have been provided Prana, the supreme
source of energy by the creator. Proper utilisation of this free source of
energy can make remarkable changes to our physical and mental health, vitality
and self confidence. Prana is more subtle than air and can be defined as the
energy essence that is within everything in the universe.
Ayama means to
control or to give a rhythm or a definite flow.
In this
sense Pranayam may be defined as a process and technique through which
vital energy can be stimulated and increased and this brings about perfect
control over the flow of Prana within the body. Pranayama locks the scattering
of pranic energy, consolidates it at the centre of your body-mind complex and
laser-beams it to an intense awareness of the self. In simple language Pranayam
can be said to be the right form of breathing technique to control our energy.
Breathing Technique We can train ourselves to breathe more slowly and
more deeply. We can reduce our breathing rate from about fifteen breaths a
minute to 5-6 breaths a minute. Reduced breathing rate leads to slowing down
the heart rate as more oxygen can be pumped even with less number of breaths.
Time of exhalation should be longer than that of inhalation in the breath
cycle.
Types of
Pranayams
1.
BHASTRIKA
PRANAYAM
2.
KAPAL
BHATI PRANAYAM
3.
BAGHI
PRANAYAM
4.
ANULOM
VILOM PRANAYAM
5.
BHRAMRI
PRANAYAM
6.
UDGEET
PRANAYAM
Most of
us are not well aware of tangible and intangible benefits of Pranayam. All
benefits of pranayama cannot be written down, few of them are listed below:-
Healthy
Heart : Heart is
the key organ of our body which beats about 70 times per minute to pump blood
non-stop all your life. The health of your heart indicates our life expectancy
and quality of life in old age. More oxygen in the blood means more oxygen to
muscles of the heart.
Better
Blood Circulation : As a
result of better breathing techniques, the freshly oxygenated blood
travels from lungs to the heart. The heart pumps it via arteries and blood
vessels to every part of the body, where in turn is absorbed by every tissue and
cell. This improves the blood circulation and more oxygen energy reaches all
parts of your body.
Stress
Management : Pranayam
is an excellent stress relief technique. Pranayama practice provides
freedom from negative thought, anger, depression, lasciviousness, greed for
money, arrogance etc. With pranayama fluctuations of mind are controlled and it
prepares the mind for meditation. With practice of pranayama, we can experience
lightness of body, feeling of inner peace, better sleep, better memory and better
concentration whereby improving the spiritual powers/ skills. Mental peace and
clarity of thought occur in our mind. Cheerfulness and enthusiasm is increased
in life.
Functioning
Of Body Organs : By
pranayama practice all body organs gets more oxygen, toxins are removed from
body, therefore onset of various diseases is prevented. Better functioning of
autonomic system improves the working of lungs, heart, diaphragm, abdomen,
intestines, kidneys and pancreas. Digestive system improves and diseases
pertaining to digestive organs are cured with good appetite. General
irritability due to lethargy/ fatigue vanishes. Pranayama strengthens the
immune system. Reduced wear and tear of internal organs.
Longivity and Quality Of Life In Old Age : Higher the breath rate, lower the life of
creature in the world. Dog and monkey have higher breathing rate and lower life
in contrast with elephant and tortoise taking four to five breaths in a minute
and it lives up to 200 years or more. As a person with sedentary lifestyle reaches
middle age, lung tissues tend to grow less and less elastic and lung capacity
decreases. Pranayama can help to reduce the effects of following old age
problems.
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