Pranayama brings naturalness in our body through alignment. The breath is a manifestation of life and the purpose in doing pranayama is to understand life and yourself better.
Yoga science affirms that the pranayama cleanses 72,000 nadis or channels in the body. It helps purify the blood and the respiratory system. The deeper breathing enriches the blood with oxygen. As a matter of fact a large amount of oxygen goes to the brain, lungs, heart, and capillaries.
Today, more and more people from different walks of life are opting for Yoga. Yoga is more than asanas. It’s a complete lifestyle that promotes holistic health. Prana is the vital component that sustains life. “Pran” mean bio-energy and “ayama” means to control or regulate. There are various types of Pranayama, and their benefits in daily life are unlimited.
Most people go through life without even being aware of how many breaths they take in one minute. Breathing of such people is generally slow and erratic. Daily pranayama trains the lungs and improves the capacity of respiratory system immensely. Pranayama directly works on the nervous system. Daily Pranayama positively affects autonomic nervous system which controls and governs essential functions of the body like the heart rate, respiration and blood pressure etc.
- Anuloma-Viloma :
We normally inhale and exhale for approximately 1.5 hours from one nostril and then unconsciously the other nostril takes over for the same period. Anuloma-Viloma is practised to regulate the natural way of breathing which brings balance between positive and negative effects of breathing on both body and mind.
Benefits:
- Favourable pressure changes in lungs for better oxygenation
- Experience quietude and inner harmony
- Sedative effect on the nervous system – concentration is improved
- Balances the energies in our system which helps cope up with pains and aches.
- Bhastrika
The Sanskrit word Bhastrika means “Bellows”. Just as the bellows fan the fire; this Pranayama increases the flow of air into the body to generate heat at both physical and subtle level-stroking the inner fire of mind and body.
Benefits:
- Favourable effects on respiratory and digestive system
- Oxygenates the blood thereby increasing the vitality of all the organs and tissues
- Strengthening and toning up the abdominal region.
- Bhramari
Bhramari comes from the Sanskrit word “Bhramar”- A black Indian bee. The resounding echo of the sound made by a humming bee is replicated in the practice of this Pranayam. The humming sound resonates in the head region bringing forth a sense of unity and concentration.
Benefits:
- Restores the elasticity of lungs; beneficial in asthmatic conditions
- Practiced daily it includes meditative states- quietens the mind
- Beneficial in reducing hypertension and stress.
- It helps reducing anger and frustration.
- Sheetali
Sheetali Pranayam also known as cooling breath, is a breathing practice that very effectively cools the body, the mind and the emotions. The Sanskrit word “Sheetali” is derived from its root ‘sheet’ which means cold. Sheetal means ‘That which is calm and soothing’
Benefits:
- Balances excess Pittah
- Mitigates hyper acidity in the digestive tract
- Cools the body and clears excess heat which also reduces fever
- Helps in reducing ailments of the abdomen
- Helps in managing psychosomatic ailments.
- Ujjayi
The name Ujjayi is a Sanskrit word which means “to conquer” or to be “victorious”. Ujjayi Pranayam is classified as a Tranquilizing Pranayam as it sooths the nervous system and calms the mind. It has a deeply relaxing effect at the psychic level. This Pranayam lead to a subtle state of mind.
- Helps rectify fluid retention in the body (edema/ dropsy).
- Clears phlegm and increases appetite.
- Beneficial in chronic cold, cough, indigestion, liver problems, dysentery, fever and other diseases.
- Ghatashudhhi or purification of seven dhatus (elements) Skin, flesh, blood, bones, marrow, fat and semen.
- There is enrichment of the voice. Very good for singers.
- Stimulates and balances the thyroid.
