Geeta Yoga - Illuminating Lives

Breathing is the only way you get oxygen for your cells.  Oxygen is a vital nutrient that keeps you alive and healthy. You can survive without food or water for several weeks, but without oxygen, you can survive only for a few minutes. Oxygen nourishes, rejuvenates, heals and also prevents many diseases.

Normal breathing is shallow breathing when only fraction of the lungs is used. The ancient yogis realized this truth and developed techniques to prolong the breath and called it Pranayama.  Prana = vital force and Ayama = regulation or expansion.  By practicing pranayama, one gets sufficient oxygen for all the cells and many impurities are also removed. There are many types of Pranayama and each Pranayama has bunch of benefits on the mind and body.

Pranayama is a scientific energizing technique, a conscious prolongation of inhalation and exhalation. Pranayama allows the mind to penetrate inwards, quietens the mind by removing thoughts and worries, refreshes the brain, controls the sense organs and makes the practitioner experience ‘inner peace’ which everyone longs to experience.

The three processes of Pranayama

“Puraka or inhalation,”  “Rechaka or exhalation,”  “Kumbhaka or retention.”

Inhalation is conscious prolongation of the in-breath. This process expands the lungs and fills the lungs with oxygen, removes blocks from air ways and enhances its functions.  Inhalation must be deep and steady without tensing the face muscles or straining the lungs.

Exhalation is conscious prolongation of the out-breath. This process empties the lungs, removes impurities and purifies the respiratory system. The key to Pranayama practice is to make exhalations longer than inhalations. Longer duration of the exhalation process empty the lungs fully and allow more oxygen.

Retention is conscious, holding of the breath and controlling the movements in the respiratory system without tightening or stressing them. This is an advanced practice and not meant for the beginners. Retention draws your mind inwards, helps to effectively control your mind and your senses. It makes the practitioner experience the inner silence. When retention is practiced after inhalation it is called “Antara Kumbhaka” when practiced after exhalation it is called “Bahya Kumbhaka.” Bahya kumbhaka is difficult and must be practiced only by experienced practitioners.

Pranayama is the heart of yoga practice. It controls, purifies and energizes all the systems and also the mind. The body is free from pain and the mind is free from disturbing thoughts. There is well being.

Pranayama during asana practice  All the movements in asana practice are initiated and guided by specific breathing.  The breath connects the body and mind, removes stiffness and pain, enhances positive energies and also helps in adapting and settling in an asana.  Inhalation is initiated - when lengthening the spine, stretching the hands upwards, bending backwards, when coming out of a forward or lateral bend or a twist. Exhalation is initiated - when bending forward, bending lateral, when making a twist, coming out of a backward bend and bringing the hands downward.

Asanas prepare the lungs for pranayama practice. Conscious and coordinated breathing during asana practice has huge positive impact on the lungs, that promotes perfect Pranayama practice.

Best time to practice Pranayama

Pranayama is difficult and not easy for a beginner and it is best learnt and practiced during “Brahmamuhurt.”  Brahmamuhurt  is the early hours of each day between 4 am and 6 am.  During this time of the day, the body and mind are fresh (free from stress and tensions)  there is better focus and no distractions. There is divine support in the early hours of the day.

Pranayama can be also practiced when traveling,  when stuck in traffic, while working on computer or in the kitchen, when the mind is disturbed, when you do not get sleep in the night.  Remember to adhere to the guidelines of practice.