Imagine your body without breath; I am sure that you can only think of
dead body. It is only breath that add life and meaning to your whole
personality and existence. Without the breath, you are a lifeless
body. We human beings breathe about 15-20 times per minute and 21,600 times per day. Breath is known
as prana in Sankrit, but
the concept of 'prana' is
much deeper than the word 'breath'. Prana is the subtlest form
of biological energy. And the yogic technique “pranayama” makes you
aware of your prana and its significance. And you can add
years to your life with a regular practice of pranayama.
The
word, ‘pranayama’ is comprised of two Sanskrit root words: prana
and ayama. Prana means vital energy. Ayama means
regulation and expansion of bio-energy. The simple definition of Pranayama can
be regulation of your breath (prana). In Ashtanga Yoga Marga
(Eight-fold Path), Pranayama is the fourth step, after Asanas.
The all-time applicable reference Yoga document, Yoga Sutra recommends
that you should start working on your bio-energy once you are established in
your asana practice. Hatha Yoga Pradipika Athaasane
dridhe yogee vashee hitamitaashanaha. Guroopadishtamaargena
praanaayaamaansamabhyset.
Yoga Sutra defines pranayams;
Tasmin sati svasa prasavasa yogativicchedah pranayamah!! It means when
your asana practice, you can work on inspiratory and expiratory movements of
bio-energy. Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a manual for physiological
aspects of Yoga asks sadhaka (student) to take up pranayama
only after long time regular asana practice and having control
over body (annamaya kosha). Your asana practice have the power to give
you that control.
It will be under
estimation of our “life force”, the breath if we define our breath as
the process of breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide.
It is not only associated to intake of fresh air and outflow of
impure gases, but also it is a true reflection of your emotions,
thoughts and attitude towards life. The ancient sages considered the
quality of a person’s life to be reflected in the quality of his breathing.
When breathing is refined, slow, and regular, the circulation of prana is
reaching all levels of body and mind, promoting a state of complete balance.
How pranayamas beneficial to you?
- The slow, regular and rhythmic breathing promotes a natural flow of prana throughout the body and mind.
- The balanced prana results in long healthy lifespan for us. You may have noticed that the elephant, tortoise who generally have lifespan of more than 100 years, breathe only 3-4 times per minute. On the contrary dogs and hares who live hardly two decades breathe very fast. The practice of pranayamas add years to life reducing the breaths taken per minute and boosting your immune system. Depleted prana is directly linked to aging and death.
- When your energy body is working efficiently, you may witness enthusiasm and excitement throughout the day. Your day would be more productive as you will be able to do lot of work in very less time. You will witness tremendous improvement in your physical as well as mental health.
- The fear, anxiety and mood swings will choose to stay away from you. A balanced prana is helpful in correcting disorder of nervous system, digestion system and blood circulation. The quality of your sleep would enhance, it would be more sound and deeper.
