Pranayam
“When the Breath wanders, the mind is
unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still” - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Pranayama
is a Sanskrit word meaning “extension of the life force”. The word is composed
of two Sanskrit words: Prana means life force and it is the life force or vital
energy that pervades the body. Parna is linked between mind and consciousness.
The physical manifestation of “Parna” is breath and “Ayama” means to extant or
draw out the breath.
Breathing is life. It is one
of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or
Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. In yogic point of view,
proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to
control prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in hand
with the Asanas. The union of these two Yogic principles is considered as the
highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body.
The technical definition refers
to a particular system of breath control with three processes as explained by
Bhattacharyya:
1) Purak (to take the breath inside)
2) Kumbhak (to retain it) and
3) Rechak (to discharge it).
Pranayam is mentioned in
verse 4.29 of Bhagavad Gita. According to Bhagavad Gita As it is, Pranayama is
translated to “trance induced by stepping all breathing”.
Several researches have
reported that Pranayama techniques are beneficial in treating a range of
stress-related disorders, improving autonomic functions, relieving symptoms of
asthma (though a different study did not find any improvement) and reducing
sighs of oxidative stress. Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama
develops a steady mind, strong will power, and sound judgment, and also claim
that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.
Benifits of Pranayama
§ Pranayama
techniques are beneficial in treating a range of stress related to disorder.
§ Pranayama improves the autonomic functions.
§ It helps relieving the symptoms of asthma
§ It reduces the signs of oxidative stress in the body.
§ Practicing Pranayama everyday can assist in steady mind, strong will power and sound judgment
§ Regular Pranayama can extend life and enhance ones perception of life.
§ Number of studies show that pranayama causes change in the cardio respiratory system including lowering of blood pressure.
Certain
Pranayama’s are excellent for weight loss.§ Pranayama improves the autonomic functions.
§ It helps relieving the symptoms of asthma
§ It reduces the signs of oxidative stress in the body.
§ Practicing Pranayama everyday can assist in steady mind, strong will power and sound judgment
§ Regular Pranayama can extend life and enhance ones perception of life.
§ Number of studies show that pranayama causes change in the cardio respiratory system including lowering of blood pressure.
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Last updated on 12.01.2016
