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Pranayama (प्राणायामः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:19, 28 December 2022
, 19:19, 28 December 2022→प्राणायामस्य फलानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama: Adding content
== प्राणायामस्य फलानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ==
== प्राणायामस्य फलानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ==
The aspirant who practises pranayama in a sustained manner will find that every aspect of the being, at every level, is gradually being impacted. As one advances in the practices, impurities are removed not only from the physical and pranic bodies, but also from the mental, psychic and causal bodies. As a result, the intellectual capacity increases, and the mind and thoughts become more powerful. As prana flows freely through all the levels of being, the negative tendencies begin to drop off almost automatically.<ref name=":9" />
At the physiological level, the benefits of Pranayama are as follows:
* It improves [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|blood]] circulation
* It improves [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|blood]] circulation
* It relaxes the [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] and mind
* It relaxes the [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] and mind
Moreover, Pranayama is an important tool for treating psychological and emotional disorders. It is excellent to counter depression, release grief and attachment, and reduce stress and tension.<ref name=":8">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>
Moreover, Pranayama is an important tool for treating psychological and emotional disorders. It is excellent to counter depression, release grief and attachment, and reduce stress and tension.<ref name=":8">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>
=== Physiological Benefits ===
Infact, it has been observed that pranayama influences almost all the organs and physiological systems.
'''Respiratory system:''' Pranayama exercises the muscles of respiration and the lungs through the processes of deep, rapid or slow breathing. The chest is opened to its fullest extent and the lungs are stretched to the utmost. This strengthens the respiratory muscles and makes the lungs more elastic, resulting in a healthier process of respiration.
During pranayama one does not absorb a larger quantity of oxygen. In fact, the amount of oxygen absorbed during a round of pranayama is less than the amount absorbed during normal respiration. However, the practices allow more time for oxygen to mix with the blood flow and for the system to eliminate waste through the breath and blood. The training given to the respiratory organs and muscles during the pranayama practice prepares them to work efficiently all through the day. With a more efficient respiratory apparatus, a larger quantity of oxygen is absorbed throughout the day than it normally would be.
'''Digestive and eliminatory system:''' The stomach, pancreas, liver, bowels and kidneys are all exercised in pranayama through the massage given to them by the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles. This happens in normal respiration as well, but during pranayama the movement of the muscles and the resulting massage is greatly accentuated. All the associated muscles and nerves are toned up and rendered healthier. Constipation is removed and all the organs function better. Absorption also becomes more efficient with a well-functioning digestive and eliminatory system so that the blood is enriched with nutritive elements.
'''Cardiac system:''' Many research studies have verified that pranayama is extremely beneficial for the heart. The practices minimize the stress put on the cardiac system by day-to-day life. Breathing with slow, deep and long breaths gives rest to the heart. Many heart conditions can be managed through pranayama.
'''Endocrine system:''' The endocrine glands influence the behaviour, reactions, interpretations, and even the so-called natural responses. Pranayama harmonizes, purifies and neu-tralizes the secretions of these glands and thereby influences thought and behaviour. The overall health of the endocrine system is largely dependent on the quality of the blood and its distribution to the glands. During pranayama, especially the vitalizing practices, the circulation of the blood becomes very rapid and the quality of the blood is also rendered very rich. The richer and more liberal blood supply brought to the endocrine glands enhances their functionality and the regulated breathing helps to balance the system.
The effects of pranayama on the endocrine system are most striking in relation to the pineal gland. This mysterious gland, located behind the third ventricle of the brain in the region of the ajna chakra, normally begins to decay with the onset of puberty. The pineal gland acts as a check for the pituitary gland, which is responsible for controlling the growth and functions of the other endocrine glands. If the pituitary gland is not regulated from an early age, an imbalance arises between the physical and mental development and the emotions mature before they can be handled. Therefore, in India, children from the age of seven or eight begin the practice of pranayama in order to maintain the activity of the pineal gland for a longer period, so that the transition from childhood to adulthood is smooth.
'''Nervous system:''' The brain, spinal cord, cranial and spinal nerves benefit from a richer and more liberal blood supply received through pranayama.
Respiration also controls fluctuating moods, which are subtle behaviours of the mind. The neuronic memory of the brain influences the projection of moods. However, the neurons fire more rhythmically and the electrical interactions between the different brain centres become more regulated when one breathes slowly and deeply in a systematic and coordinated manner. The wild fluctuations of the brain waves are streamlined and there is a balance between the two hemispheres of the brain.
By practising pranayama systematically for a few years, a gradual transformation is brought about in the structure of the nervous system. Ultimately, there comes a moment when one closes the eyes, goes in and achieves meditation.<ref name=":9" />
=== प्राणायामः प्राणाग्निश्च ॥ Pranayama and Pranagni ===
=== प्राणायामः प्राणाग्निश्च ॥ Pranayama and Pranagni ===