Pranayama – www.e-worldofyoga.com

Pranayama is the science of breath. PRANA means breath, respiration, life vitality, wind, energy or strength. The word is generally used in the plural to indicate vital breaths. AAYAMA means length, expansion, stretching or restraint. Pranayama means extension of the breath and its control. This control is over all the functions of breathing, namely 1. Inhalation or inspiration, 2. Exhalation or expiration and 3. Retention or holding the breath.

Pranayama is thus the science of breath. It is the hub around which the wheel of life revolves. The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths.

चले वाते चलं चित्तं निश्चले निश्चलं भवेत् ।
योगी स्थाणुत्वम् आप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत् ॥२॥
chale vate chalam chittam nischale nischalam bhavet
yogi sthanutvam apnoti tato vayum nirodhayet ||2||

(Hatha yoga pradipika 2-2.)

When the breath wanders, or is irregular, the mind is also unsteady.
But when the breath is still, so is the mind and the yogi lives long. So one should restrain the breath.
No one can live for more than a few minutes without breathing. But many people are unaware of the importance of the breathing properly. Bad mental and physical breathing habits mean that many of us use only a fraction of our potential respiratory capacity.

Pranayama plays a pivotal role in metabolism. The oxygen rich blood from the heart is pumped to all the parts of the body to be used in metabolism. Brain cells have a high rate of metabolism, so the brain requires much more oxygen relatively than the other organs of the body. Lack of oxygen means a lack of mental balance, concentration and control of the emotions.

Proper breathing demands a three part movement. 1. the diaphragm causes the abdomen to expand, filling the lower lungs. 2. the intercostals muscles expand the rib cage and fill the middle lungs. 3. the collar bones lift, bringing the air into the top part of the lungs. Most people breathe using the top part of the lungs, literally starving the body of its essential oxygen.

Benefits of Pranayama

Pranayama is the life force which drives the human being to survive.
It purifies the circulation.
It clears the cholesterol blocks.
It maintains the blood pressure variations.
It is good for cardio-pulmonary efficiency.
It helps in stabilizing moods and emotions.
It helps in calming down the mind.
It helps in controlling the stress levels.
It helps to maintain the homeostasis.
It helps in healing incurable diseases.
It helps in decision making.
It improves immunity
It helps in maintaining the body temperature according to the weather conditions.
It helps in improving memory and concentration.
It helps to enhance Self confidence and problem solving abilities.