BREATHING RIGHT

OF OUR LIVES NOWADAYS, WE BARELY USE A QUARTER OF OUR LUNG CAPACITY FOR THE INTAKE OF FRESH AIR. NASSER LALLJEE TELLS US ABOUT DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES OF BREATHING FOR A HEALTHIER LIFE

There is an intimate connection between breath and mind, and Pranayam, or control/regulation of the life force is the fourth step in the ashtanga yog system laid down by Patanjali. It should be undertaken only after getting at least a reasonable degree of proficiency in the asans.

Control of the body through posture is the first step followed by the control of the breath, which will ultimately lead to the control of the pran or life force. Pranayam not intricate as it is made out to be, but neither is it something that can be trifled with. If is to be done it is to be followed properly and through a precise regimen an is not something that is to be taken in a light hearted manner. The ancient Sanskrit texts state that if Pranayam is done properly it can cure all diseases, but wrongly done will only invite the same diseases if not more! Breathing is a mechanical process controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and we do not have any conscious control over it. But if controlled, it benefits the system to unimaginable levels. Just a simple test will suffice you if you doubt-just try breathing deeply and slowly when angered or excited and find the difference in your self. It stands to reason that if something as simple as breathing can influence an emotion as strong as anger it had better be learned from a well-qualified and respected teacher.

In yogic terms prana means the vital energy and ayam means exercise. Pranayam defines the regulation of the in and out flow of this vital energy. It explains that the body, breath and the mind are intricately interwoven. When the air moves the mind moves and when the air is stilled the mind also could be stilled. Hence the various techniques employed in Pranayam are to stabilize the flow of air thus to achieve the balanced state of mind.

Pran is the life energy or force which empowers all the work of mind, body and senses. With out pran, our body is dead. It is also responsible for keeping our mind and body health. When this power gets reduced or bolcked, our body is diseased. There are five types of pran-pran, apan, saman, vyan and udan. They are located at different places in our body perform to keep it healthy. Ayal, m eans expanding or strengthening this pren. I t is important to note that in Pranayam, all breathing exercises are done on empty stomach usually after some warming up exercises like stretching. One has to sit in a comfortable, meditative posture and place the back and neck erect. Little deep breathing is carried out to relax the muscles after any of these practices. The inhalation and exhalations are to be performed through the nostrils.

SOME TYPES, OF PRANAYAM IN YOGA ARE AS FOLLOWS

Brahmari Pranayam – The Humming Bee Pranayam. Inhale deeply from both nostrils. Use the index fingers to block the ears and when you exhale, try to produce the humming sound of a female bee from the mouth and nose. This helps memory and concentration enhancement.

Bastrika Pranayam - Sit in vajrasana position and do a series of active inhalations and exhalations with the in and out (flapping) movements of the abdomen called as strokes. Three rounds of bastrika with increasing speed is enough and do normal Breathing in between the rounds. It is not for those with high blood pressure.

Chandra Bhedana Pranayam - This is also called as called as cooling Pranayam. Block the right nostril inhale from the left nostril, deeply and Contmuously, then block the left and exhale through the right nostril.

Surya Bhedanda Pranayam - It is also called as right nostril breathing. This is a heating pranayam. Block the left nostril and inhale from the right nostril deeply, now block the right and exhale through the left nostril.

Ujjayi / Hissing Pranayam - Sit erect in a meditative pose. Inhale from both the nostrils by feeling the air at the upper palate. This asana is good for the enhancement of intuition.

Balancing Pranayama – Nadisuddhi Pranayama – also know as anulom and vilom here the inhalation and exhalation are done through alternate nostrils. Good for general good health, and weight reduction.

Other methods are Brahma Vidya, Vipassana, Sudershan Kriya are some other practices based on breathing exercise. Before doing any of these please remember to do so only if taught by a proper, well-trained and respected yoga master.

Due to our intense involvement with the workload and lack of time, almost all of us so not breathe properly as is required by our body, and neither is our posture what it should be. Due to these and other reasons, we go through life using barely a quarter of our lung capacity for the intake if fresh air. As the cells of organs such as the heart, lungs, brain cells, blood, muscles and other parts of our body gets deprived of oxygen, diseases slowly start developing. Therefore, it is important to learn correct breathing, and maintenance of correct posture, which aids in the development of good health. As sure as fire is stopped by water in most cases fresh air acts swiftly in preventing the out breaking of diseases.