Pranayama (Science of breathing)

This is well known fact accepted by all that there is some higher energy (Shakti) thought which we can draw some pleasure in our life. Because of this Shakti there is life. Einstein said “Everything is energy; this is not philosophy but physics”. Energy means shakti or prana.

What is Pranayama?

Understand the Pran, Direct the Pran, Expand the Pran, Control the Pran, Realize the Pran, Feel the Pran, Awakening the Pran is Pranayam.

According to Yogvashishth, if our prana is imbalanced then our mind also gets imbalance. And if the mind is imbalanced then we get many diseases. Many diseases arise due to imbalance of our prana. We born, we study, we get a job, we get a status, this cannot be called as complete life. We need to know our Prana to understand complete life.

The main reasons for mental problems are:

a) Not breathing correctly,
b) Incorrect lifestyle
c) Incorrect eating habits
d) Improper sleep, etc.

Yoga gives us a lot of techniques to balance mind and life. Pranayama is one of the most effective techniques among all the techniques. When the prana gets balanced we experience peace.

During anger or sadness our pran become imbalanced in our body. This imbalanced pran goes into our bones, into our nadis, into our muscles and makes our life miserable and slowly destroys our life. To balance these Prana in our body we should practice the techniques guided in yoga. With this we energize each and every part of our body, the stamina of our lungs increases and we can live longer and a healthier life.

Prananyama is a technique to make mind and body pure and clean. In order to know Prana, a person should have more attention and awareness towards it. When more and more awareness increases then mind becomes more calm and clear. Through prananyama we can keep the diseases of the mind and body away from us and get rid of many invisible diseases.

Precautions:
We should take care of these things before doing any prananyama practice:
1. Mostly Prananyama practices are to be done empty stomach.
2. It is for everybody, as everyone can do it.
3. Bhastrika and Kapalbhati prananyama is for everybody but these are not suitable for pregnant women, heart patients. Woman during menstruation should avoid these practices.
4. Do it with full concentration and happiness.
5. Keep eyes closed, mind free of thoughts during prananyama.
6. Keep your attention and awareness on the flow of Prana.
7. If you have too much pain in the body or restlessness then you should practice slower prananyama.
8. For better results most of the pranayama should be practiced in a sitting position. Keep neck, head and spine in one straight line.
9. One can also practice in lying down position, if you have problems in sitting. Practice it slowly with full concentration.
10. Some prananyama should only be practiced under the guidance and presence of your guru or teacher.
11. During menstruation, one can do Anulom vilom, Bhramari and Udgeed pranayama very slowly. Other pranayama are not recommended.

Photo Credit – Dr. Omanand ji