Pranayama
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is a Sanskrit compound word, which consists of two parts, ‘Prana’ and ‘Ayam’. Prana is life force or vital energy (breath) and Ayam is extension or expansion. Pranayama stands for ‘control of the life force’. In yoga it is more specifically mean as “breath control”.
Pranayama is a part of Yoga, which specifically consists of different breathing exercises. To control the breath and turn it to evolve the life energy is the main purpose.
The basic theory of Pranayama can be described in one sentence, “The life starts and ends with the breath”.
Following are the eight “limbs” or steps prescribed in the second pada of the Yoga Sutras:
Yama - Code of conduct - self-restraint
Niyama - religious observances - commitments to practice, such as study and devotion
Asana - integration of mind and body through physical activity
Pranayama - regulation of breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara - abstraction of the senses, withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects
Dharana - concentration, one-pointedness of mind
Dhyana - meditation (quiet activity that leads to samadhi)
Samadhi - the quiet state of blissful awareness, superconscious state
Pranayama is the fourth ‘limb’ of the eight limbs of Raja Yoga according to‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’. Patanjali describes pranayama as the control of life force that comes as a result of practicing the various breathing techniques.
Swami Ramdev ji Maharaj
Pranayama has been limited to yogis and unknown to the masses for a long time. The credit of making it extremely popular to common people goes to Swami Ramdev ji Maharaj. He not only brought pranayama to masses but proved it’s miracles by applying on millions of patients suffering from non-curable diseases. His ashram is situated in India while persons who got benefited by his easy pranayama sequence and techniques are spread all over the world. A good number among those are of patients who returned just from the ‘door of death’.
Types of Pranayama
Pranayama means breathing techniques in various methods. In ancient Indian yoga books, lots of pranayamas are described to various benefits. These are Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Bahya, Anuloma Viloma, Bhramari, Udgeeth, Ujjayi, Sheetali, Deergha, Nadi Shodhana, etc.
Swami Ramdev ji selected most effective and easy to practice pranayamas from ‘Yoga sutras of Patanjali’ for common people.
Seven step Pranayama by Swami Ramdev ji
Ramdev ji created a seven step specific pranayama package to maximize benefits for common people and patients, which is proved now as most successful and miraculous packages so far. The seven-step pranayam package is sufficient along with daily routine. The whole process takes around 45 minutes and the duration can be increased up to two hours also.
The types and sequence of pranayamas by Swami Ramdev ji are :
Bhastrika
Kapalbhati
Bahya
Anulom Vilom
Bhramari
Udgeeth
Ujjayi
Who can practice Pranayama?
Every body can practice including small children, old age people and patients. It is very easy and significant breathing exercise for everyone. Pregnant women can also practice it regularly with some precautions that will result a healthy and normal baby.
Place for pranayama
As yoga and pranayama originated in India, it is described in ancient books according to Indian climatic conditions. The best place for pranayama is peaceful, holy river bank or some open area like garden with lush greenery, where atmosphere is full of natural oxygen in early mornings.
While the place can be changed as per climatic conditions in different countries and regions. Pranayama can be practiced in peaceful, neat, clean rooms with the arrangements of fresh and healthy oxygen.
Best time for pranayama
The best time for pranayama practice is early morning with empty stomach. Though it can also be practiced after at least ‘five hours’ of having food, as this gap is enough to digest the consumed food and the stomach gets relaxed. Some patients of chronic diseases are advised to practice pranayama twice a day, in the morning and evening, must follow these guidelines.
After pranayama, food ‘should not’ be consumed at least for 20 minutes, so as to countdown the body. Though very little amount of water can be taken if needed any time.
Benefits of Pranayama
- Oxygen supply is increased which is definitely more than deep breathing exercises.
- Re-establishes the body’s own natural rhythm.
- The practitioner acquire self confidence, optimism, a calm mind and various desired qualities.
- Rhythmic breathing, as well as correct concentration and meditation, can bring about a breath change in one’s physical and mental stage and serves as a step towards spiritual unfolding. The yogis say that the deep rhythmic breathing exercise will allow the body to re-establish in its own natural rhythm and allow us more to the cosmic rhythm. This will protect us from any negative external influences.
- Benefits starts within a week however it depends on the person’s ailment and also on the regularity and intensity of the performance. Pranayama practices improves all of the following diseases and also completely cures some of the chronic diseases which are impossible to treat by medicines:
- Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Angina, Blockages in Arteries, Obesity, Asthma, Bronchitis, Leucoderma, Depression, Parkinson, Insomnia, Thyroid problems, Arthritis, Cervical spondylitis, Hepatitis, Cancer, Cirrhosis of the Liver, Flatulence, Gas, Constipation, Acidity, etc.