Often we get bored hearing the command from the teacher in the Yoga class. The teacher again and again repeating the same and asking to breathe, as if we are not breathing in the studio. But how can we be alive if we are not breathing? Then why the teacher asking us to breathe? Actually breathing has a very important role in the world Yoga.
Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions of the body and that breathing exercise promotes proper breathing. Proper breathing from a yogic point of view is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama - the science of breathe control which consists of a series of exercises to meet these needs and to keep the body in vibrant health.
Breathing is important for two basic reasons. First it is vital for our survival, because it is the only means of supplying our bodies and its various organs with oxygen. And secondly , it is the way to get rid of waste products and toxins from our body.
Oxygen is the most vital nutrient in our body. It is very essential for the proper and the efficient functioning of the brain, nerves, glands and other internal organs. It is more important than food we eat. Without food or water we may survive for few weeks, but without oxygen we will die within few minutes. If the brain does not get the proper supply of the essential nutrient, degradation of all the vital organs of the body will result. The brain requires more oxygen than any other organs in the body. If it doesn't get enough, the result is mental sluggishness, negative thoughts, depression and eventually vision and hearing declines. Normally because of poor life style and also for the age, the oxygen supply declines in our body. Insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain causes quick irritation, sight problems, hearing problems, heart problems, including stroke, and also for a long time- lack of oxygen has been considered a major cause of cancer.
Thousands of years ago Yogis realized the vital importance of an adequate supply of oxygen and they developed and perfected various breathing techniques. These techniques are particularly important for the people who have sedentary jobs. So, in present days it has become very applicable for those people , who spend most of the day in the office and does not work out. As their brain does not get enough supply of oxygen, it get starved and they start feeling tired, nervous, irritable, and not very productive. It slowly ruins their immune system.
Vitality and rejuvenation depends on the purified blood stream. The most effective and the quickest way to purify the blood stream is by taking in extra supply of oxygen we breathe. Oxygen burns up the waste products ( toxins ) in the body, as well as recharges the body. In fact, most of our energy requirements come, not from food, but from air we breathe. By purifying the blood stream, every part of the body benefits, as well as the mind. Your complexion will be clear and brighter while wrinkles will begin to fade away. Actually, rejuvenation will start to occur.
In Yogic science, the breathing part is called Pranayama. The word derived from two Sanskrit words - 'Prana' means life force or vital energy, while 'Ayama' means to control or to increase or to extend. Therefore in its broadest description, Pranayama would mean to control of the flow of life force or to increase the vital force in the body. Normally man goes on breathing, but when we voluntarily control the breathing, it becomes Pranayama.
But before starting Pranayama or controlled breathing, we need to know how to breathe. Normal breathing or shallow breathing is just to keep us alive. It does not exercise the lungs enough and it does not have enough effect on our body and mind. Even if you do not do any exercise, at least regular practice of fifty times long and deep breathe can give you a long and healthy life and also you can keep many diseases away from yourself. This deep breathing will help to exercise the lungs, will supply fresh oxygen to blood, which is the food of cells. As a result the active cells get rejuvenated in all over the body and it is full of vital energy or Prana. So one becomes the symbol of energy, just by giving up the bad habit of shallow breathing and breathing through mouth.
In Yogic science initially there are three kinds of breathing, normally which is called Yogic breathing. First is abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, second is chest or thoracic breathing and third is clavicular breathing. These three types of breathing will make you aware of your breathe and also aware of the three vital parts of the body. By the exercise of these three parts, the body will slowly get ready to start Pranayama. Pranayama will not only give you a healthy lungs, but also will help the other systems of the body, like digestive system, circulatory system, excretory system, glandular system, reproductive system, including co-ordination of all organs to function well. Thus the Pranayama becomes the key of healthy life.
There are eight classical Kumbhakas (Pranayamas) according to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, an ancient yoga text --
1. Surya Bhedana -- Sun Cleaving breath
2. Ujjayi -- The Victorious breath
3. Sitkari -- Hissing breathe (cooling breath)
4. Sheetali -- Break tongue breath (icing breath)
5. Bhastrika -- Bellows breathe
6. Bhramari -- Sound of bee breath
7. Murccha – Fainting or swooning breath
8. Plavani -- Floating breath
According to the stage of one's individual practice, one should follow the instruction of his or her Guru or Pranayama guide, because lungs is a very delicate organ and one's over enthusiasm can harm the lungs, specially 'kumbhaka' or retention Pranayama. And as a result of good practice of Pranayama, mind becomes calm. Easy to concentrate. When the mind is good in concentration, automatically it will enter in to the world of meditation, followed by spirituality. So it is the finest way to live in the world at the same time keeping oneself detached from the poison of this materialistic world. One can control the worldly problems by himself instead of problems controlling him in the name of stress or tension. This is an art of living , a pleasant renunciation even staying in this world. So Pranayama can be used not only to improve health and lengthen the life span, but also to attain super-conscious states. Gurus, the ancient yoga scientists with their long experience on practicing Pranayama came to the conclusion that only breathe can control our mind and thus we can bring our mind to the present moment, which is the key to open all the mysteries of happiness rather peace.
OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI
1. Surya Bhedana -- Sun Cleaving breath
2. Ujjayi -- The Victorious breath
3. Sitkari -- Hissing breathe (cooling breath)
4. Sheetali -- Break tongue breath (icing breath)
5. Bhastrika -- Bellows breathe
6. Bhramari -- Sound of bee breath
7. Murccha – Fainting or swooning breath
8. Plavani -- Floating breath
According to the stage of one's individual practice, one should follow the instruction of his or her Guru or Pranayama guide, because lungs is a very delicate organ and one's over enthusiasm can harm the lungs, specially 'kumbhaka' or retention Pranayama. And as a result of good practice of Pranayama, mind becomes calm. Easy to concentrate. When the mind is good in concentration, automatically it will enter in to the world of meditation, followed by spirituality. So it is the finest way to live in the world at the same time keeping oneself detached from the poison of this materialistic world. One can control the worldly problems by himself instead of problems controlling him in the name of stress or tension. This is an art of living , a pleasant renunciation even staying in this world. So Pranayama can be used not only to improve health and lengthen the life span, but also to attain super-conscious states. Gurus, the ancient yoga scientists with their long experience on practicing Pranayama came to the conclusion that only breathe can control our mind and thus we can bring our mind to the present moment, which is the key to open all the mysteries of happiness rather peace.
OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI
