What comes to mind?
Depending on what part of the world you live in some might initially think, breathing techniques? Others’ thoughts go to the fourth limb of Patanjali Yogsutra?
First, let’s break this word down
PRANA signifies vital energy, AYAMA (expansion/control.) Some teachers translate this word into PRANA-YAMA, in that case, YAMA would mean control. The correct translation in this context is PRANA-AYAMA
E X P A N S I O N
OF
VITAL
E N E R G Y
However, Pranayama is not just a breathing exercise which helps to improve the lungs capacity. PRANA meaning Vital Energy or Life Force which exists in all things, living and non-living.
Although it is close to the air which we breathe, it is more subtle than air or oxygen.
Mainly we use the Pranayama to clean the Pranayama Kosha (Vital Sheath) which is considered as the second sheath in our body.
Sheaths/Koshas? What are these?
I will explain, in the Taittiriya Upanishad, an ancient Tantric yoga text, a human being is being described as having five sheaths, or koshas, that interpenetrate each other, encasing the SOUL like the layers of an onion.
The FIVE sheaths are:
*Annamaya Kosha (Food Sheath)
*Pranayama Kosha (Vital Sheath)
*Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath)
*Vijnanamaya Kosha (Knowledge Sheath)
*Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath)
PRANA is a Sanskrit word for “life air” or “life force”. It is present all over the universe both in macrocosm (space) and microcosm (bodies of living beings). Its proper flow in our bodies assures their healthy state. Prana is subtle material energy arising from Rajo guna. It works as an interface between the gross and subtle body, enabling all the psychophysical functions.
While Pranayama has been honed and practiced for thousands of years bestowing powerful benefits. In most recent years Western culture is starting to put this practice to use.
If you’re looking for more vitality and energy, establishing a consistent, daily pranayama practice is highly recommended.
Crave boosted energy level?
Whether it be short term or long term, there is almost NO better method than the regular practice of pranayamas.
Time to ditch the coffee and start breathing!
The BEST part, it’s completely free!
DID YOU KNOW?
One of the MOST effective ways to influence the “stress response” is through the breath. Changes in our emotional state affect our breathing patterns and very often the breath is the PRIMARY indicator of emotional imbalance and stress in the nervous system. Our breathing patterns are accessed by the brain in order to determine our level of danger or safety.
For example, we take shallow, erratic breaths from the chest rather than full breaths from the abdomen, the brain will register danger and trigger a stress response in the nervous system.
Through breath, we are able to exert some control over what might otherwise seem to be involuntary responses. Breath regulation allows us to quickly access our “relaxation response” in order to calm and soothe the nervous system in the short term. In the long term, we can use the breath to retrain the nervous system to become robust, resilient and better able to manage.
Next time you start to feel your anxiety or anger rise, draw ALL of your attention to your breath, exhale everything out before taking a deep inhale, pause at the top before releasing a controlled exhale, do this ten rounds.
Then mentally note how you feel after doing this, thank me later.
Start making THIS your habit once you start to feel the heat rising, not only will you lower your own stress level, you’ll show by example the POWER of breath…
Stay tuned for upcoming articles about different Pranayama techniques.
Author: Laken Badley