Pranayama - What is Yoga Breathing? Yoga Breath, Pranayama, develops control of breathing. Yoga Pranayama is specifically designed exercises that invigorate, energize, or may quiet the mind and calm the systems of the body. Pranayama is the science of breath that brings balance and harmony to our everyday of living.
Pranayama Defined
Meaning "Breath Control" or "Technique of Breath", Yoga Breathing opens up our inner energy that is vital to our complete health. Often referred to as Vital Breath, it also is used in preparation for the practice of Meditation. What Pranayama is: Prana = Life Force or Life Energy
Yama = Discipline, Control or Technique
Ayama = Expansion, Extension, Release
There are four stages, or Avasthas, of Pranayama in which we bring oxygen into the systems of our body and release toxins from it. Through respiration, we charge our body with creative energy and then release tension, stress and carbon dioxide. We find balance and control of body, mind, spirit.
Stage 1 (Arambha)
Arambha means 'to begin' or 'beginning'. Pranamaya begins with Interest. Arambha includes the following five attributes:
- Proper Practice Place
- Proper Time
- Proper Diet
- Proper Mentality (patience and zest)
- Purified Nadis (channels for our body's energy)
Stage 2 (Ghata)
Through practice of supression of breath, Ghata is attained. This stage of pranayama draws our sensory perception away from the material world. When you begin to dictate when and how to breathe, new perspective is gained. Ghata Stage develops the Three Sariras (Sarira) or facets of Yoga Breath:
- Causal
- Gross
- Subtle
Stage 3 (Parichaya)
Through constant practice of Yoga Breath, you tap into your vital life force, or prana to experience what is Pranayama. You will be able to move beyond dharana (The Sixth Limb of Yoga), or withheld concentration to find knowledge of one's own karma. It is within this stage of yoga that the yogi may apply Kriya Sakti and shuffle off past karma like a snake shedding his skin.
Stage 4 (Nispatti)
Samadhi, our direction in Yoga practice. In this stage of Pranayama, the yogi's perspective is drawn past the body away from the physical. He becomes independent, unaffected. This tranquility is attained through dedicated open-hearted practice, including:
- Proper Diet (Mitahara)
- Proper Yoga Living (Brahmacharya, defined as "life lived in conformance with the deeper principles of realization of Brahma-nature")
Benefits of Yoga Breath (Pranayama)
Throughout time, we have a habit of breathing shallow, short breaths. The amount of clean oxygen that we intake is affected by this. We ignore and abuse our breath as our mind becomes preoccupied with the rigors of daily life.
Living without proper exercise of Breath Control, or Pranayama, can lead to serious health issues. Heart disease, anxiety, sleep abnormalities, chest tension and fatigue are all affects of improper breath and oxygen starvation. This lowers prana and brings negative energy to the body and mind.
However, you can change this!
Prepare your mind, relax and breathe. Pranayama cleanses the body and mind, so take your time and accept the time when you are ready. The benefits are rich and rewarding:
- Toxin Release
- Immunity
- Improve Digestion and Nutrient Metabolism
- Develop Focus, Mental Stamina and Concentration
- Stress-Release
- Clarity of the Mind and Senses
- Control over Actions, Reactions and Emotions
- Serenity, Peace
- Physical Well-Being
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