Difference between revisions of "Pranayama (प्राणायामः)"
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| + | Pranayama (Samskrit: प्राणायामः) is one of the eight elements in Ashtanga Yoga propounded by Maharshi Patanjali. It is the fourth step in the eightfold path of Yoga that culminates in Samadhi. Panayama is preceeded by Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas and is followed by Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The article explores the meaning, types, objectives and benefits of Pranayama practice.<ref>Yoga - Level B ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_B/Yoga/Yoga_(Level-B)_ch-3-final.pdf Chapter 3]), Open Basic Education Programme (Bharatiya Jnana Parampara), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling.</ref> | ||
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== OBJECTIVES == | == OBJECTIVES == | ||
After studying this lesson, you will be able to : | After studying this lesson, you will be able to : | ||
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and | and | ||
| − | • adopt the correct procedure for undertaking Asana and | + | • adopt the correct procedure for undertaking Asana and Pranayama. |
| − | |||
| − | Pranayama. | ||
== 3.4 PRANAYAMA == | == 3.4 PRANAYAMA == | ||
| − | Prana means ‘energy’ and Ayama is ‘to regulate’. Pranayama is | + | Prana means ‘energy’ and Ayama is ‘to regulate’. Pranayama is the practice by which one can regulates the vital energy. Pranayama helps to make the breath slow and rhythmic. When the breath slows down, mind becomes calm. It is the practice of using the breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind. |
| − | |||
| − | the practice by which one can regulates the vital energy. | ||
| − | |||
| − | Pranayama helps to make the breath slow and rhythmic. When | ||
| − | |||
| − | the breath slows down, mind becomes calm. It is the practice of | ||
| − | |||
| − | using the breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active | ||
| − | |||
| − | thinking mind. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | === Benefits of Pranayama === | ||
• It improves blood circulation | • It improves blood circulation | ||
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There are four types of Pranayama: | There are four types of Pranayama: | ||
| − | I. Vitalizing Pranayama: Kapalabhati is one of the yoga | + | === I. Vitalizing Pranayama: Kapalabhati is one of the yoga === |
| − | + | vitalizing prnayama. 'Kapalbhati' means 'shining forehead' in sanskrit. | |
| − | vitalizing prnayama. 'Kapalbhati' means 'shining forehead' in | ||
| − | |||
| − | sanskrit. | ||
Benefits: | Benefits: | ||
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• Makes you feel fresh, oxygenated and vitalized. | • Makes you feel fresh, oxygenated and vitalized. | ||
| − | II. Balancing Pranayama: Nadi Shuddhi pranayama is a | + | === II. Balancing Pranayama: Nadi Shuddhi pranayama is a === |
| − | + | blancing pranayama using alternate nostril breathing. Shuddhi means ‘to purify’. The practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils. | |
| − | blancing pranayama using alternate nostril breathing. Shuddhi means ‘to purify’. The practice balances the flow of breath | ||
| − | |||
| − | through both the right and left nostrils. | ||
Benefits | Benefits | ||
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• It helps to relieve nervousness and headaches. | • It helps to relieve nervousness and headaches. | ||
| − | III. Cooling Pranayama: Chandra | + | === III. Cooling Pranayama: Chandra Anuloma Viloma Pranayama === |
| − | + | is a cooling Prnayama. It is done in which both inhalation and exhalation is done through left nostril adopting Nasika Mudra. | |
| − | is a cooling Prnayama. It is done in which both inhalation | ||
| − | |||
| − | and exhalation is done through left nostril adopting Nasika | ||
| − | |||
| − | Mudra. | ||
Benefits | Benefits | ||
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• It is not advisable to practice in winter | • It is not advisable to practice in winter | ||
| − | IV. Laya or Silencing Pranayama - Bhramari is a Laya or | + | === IV. Laya or Silencing Pranayama - Bhramari is a Laya or === |
| − | + | Silencing Pranayama. This Pranyama helps to reduce stress and anger and brings calmness and silence within you. Bhramari is derived from Bhramara which means a 'black humming bee'. In this pranayama, the practitioner makes the sound which resembles the buzzing sound of a black bee which brings calmness and silencing of mind. | |
| − | Silencing Pranayama. This Pranyama helps to reduce stress and | ||
| − | |||
| − | anger and brings calmness and silence within you. Bhramari is derived from | ||
| − | |||
| − | Bhramara which means a | ||
| − | |||
| − | 'black humming bee'. In this | ||
| − | |||
| − | pranayama, the practitioner | ||
| − | |||
| − | makes the sound which | ||
| − | |||
| − | resembles the buzzing sound of | ||
| − | |||
| − | a black bee which brings | ||
| − | |||
| − | calmness and silencing of | ||
| − | |||
| − | mind. | ||
Benefits | Benefits | ||
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• It helps to reduce anger. | • It helps to reduce anger. | ||
| − | • It helps in improving concentration | + | • It helps in improving concentration and memory. |
| − | + | == References == | |
Revision as of 13:10, 27 October 2022
Pranayama (Samskrit: प्राणायामः) is one of the eight elements in Ashtanga Yoga propounded by Maharshi Patanjali. It is the fourth step in the eightfold path of Yoga that culminates in Samadhi. Panayama is preceeded by Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas and is followed by Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The article explores the meaning, types, objectives and benefits of Pranayama practice.[1]
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
• explain the terms Asana and Pranayama;
• list the types of Asana and Pranayama;
• describe the objectives and benefits of Asana and Pranayama;
and
• adopt the correct procedure for undertaking Asana and Pranayama.
3.4 PRANAYAMA
Prana means ‘energy’ and Ayama is ‘to regulate’. Pranayama is the practice by which one can regulates the vital energy. Pranayama helps to make the breath slow and rhythmic. When the breath slows down, mind becomes calm. It is the practice of using the breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind.
Benefits of Pranayama
• It improves blood circulation
• It relaxes the body and mind
• It improves your concentration skills
• It releases anxiety
• It improves the lung capacity
3.5 TYPES OF PRANAYAMA
There are four types of Pranayama:
I. Vitalizing Pranayama: Kapalabhati is one of the yoga
vitalizing prnayama. 'Kapalbhati' means 'shining forehead' in sanskrit.
Benefits:
• It removes carbon-dioxide from your body,
• Makes you feel fresh, oxygenated and vitalized.
II. Balancing Pranayama: Nadi Shuddhi pranayama is a
blancing pranayama using alternate nostril breathing. Shuddhi means ‘to purify’. The practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils.
Benefits
• The deeper breathing enriches the blood with oxygen.
• This pranayama strengthens the respiratory system and
balances the nervous system.
• It helps to relieve nervousness and headaches.
III. Cooling Pranayama: Chandra Anuloma Viloma Pranayama
is a cooling Prnayama. It is done in which both inhalation and exhalation is done through left nostril adopting Nasika Mudra.
Benefits
• It helps in cooling down the body
• It is beneficial for anxiety and mental tension
• It will help to calm down the mind
• It is not advisable to practice in winter
IV. Laya or Silencing Pranayama - Bhramari is a Laya or
Silencing Pranayama. This Pranyama helps to reduce stress and anger and brings calmness and silence within you. Bhramari is derived from Bhramara which means a 'black humming bee'. In this pranayama, the practitioner makes the sound which resembles the buzzing sound of a black bee which brings calmness and silencing of mind.
Benefits
• It helps to reduce anger.
• It helps in improving concentration and memory.