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Line 45: − + − − The process of Nadi Shuddhi or Nadi Shodhana involves closing the right nostril with the right hand’s thumb, inhaling fresh air through the left nostril (puraka) and holding the breath for some time (kumbhaka), followed by exhalation through right nostril (rechaka) while closing the left nostril with the right hand’s index finger and then reversing the process.<ref>Abhishek Pandey and others (2022), [https://ejmcm.com/article_19198_15eac5b09e4ef7b5209014c745304f20.pdf Effect of Nadisuddhi Pranayam on Reaction Time and Autonomic Activity of the Heart], European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 4), Accessed on 2nd November, 2022.</ref> During the process, breathing is kept slow and rhythmic.<ref name=":3" /> − + + +
→Balancing Pranayama: Adding content with reference
Each of the five koshas or encasements of human existence like Annamaya kosha, Pranamaya kosha, etc. as described earlier, have a different form of agni responsible for their development. The agni of the sheath of vitality or the Pranamaya kosha is the Pranagni that is responsible for the digestion of prana in the body.
Each of the five koshas or encasements of human existence like Annamaya kosha, Pranamaya kosha, etc. as described earlier, have a different form of agni responsible for their development. The agni of the sheath of vitality or the Pranamaya kosha is the Pranagni that is responsible for the digestion of prana in the body.
Pranagni develops primarily through correct retention of the breath that follows deep inhalation. Inhaled oxygen is food for pranagni; exhaled carbon dioxide is its waste material. Just as fasting purifies the physical body, so breath retention purifies the subtle body. Thus, the practice of Panayama help develop the Pranagni.<ref name=":8" />
Pranagni develops primarily through correct retention of the breath that follows deep inhalation. Inhaled oxygen is food for pranagni; exhaled carbon dioxide is its waste material. Just as fasting purifies the physical body, so breath retention purifies the subtle body. Thus, the practice of Panayama helps develop the Pranagni.<ref name=":8" />
=== प्राणायामः पञ्चप्राणाश्च ॥ Pranayama and Pancha Pranas ===
One definition of Pranayama is "retention of breath" as retention of breath, when done correctly, is a powerful method to expand the vital force. In terms of the Panch Pranas, Pranayama is generally defined as balancing Prana and Apana. However, all the five Pranas are related to Pranayama.
Prana is related to inhalation. Both Samana and Vyana relate to retention while Udana and Apana relate to exhalation. Samana is the initial stage of retention in which the air is consolidated in the lungs, with oxygen absorbed through the lung tissue. Vyana is the second stage of retention in which the absorbed oxygen is taken into the blood and carried to the rest of the body. Udana is the first stage of exhalation that creates positive energy and effort, which allows for speech. Apana is the second stage of exhalation that pushes out the waste air and carbon dioxide. Thus, all the five Pranas can be balanced and regulated through Pranayama.<ref name=":8" />
== प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama ==
== प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama ==
=== Balancing Pranayama ===
=== Balancing Pranayama ===
Also known as alternative nostril breathing<ref name=":3" />, Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama is a balancing pranayama.<ref name=":0" /> It is derived from two Samskrit terms viz. 'Nadi' meaning 'channel' and 'Shuddhi' meaning 'cleansing' or 'purifying'. So, Nadi Shuddhi refers to cleansing of subtle channels through which vital life-force energy (Prana) travels in the body.<ref>Yogapedia ([https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7535/nadi-shuddhi Nadi Shuddhi]).</ref>
Also known as alternative nostril breathing<ref name=":3" />, Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama is a balancing pranayama.<ref name=":0" /> It is derived from two Samskrit terms viz. 'Nadi' meaning 'channel' and 'Shuddhi' meaning 'cleansing' or 'purifying'. So, Nadi Shuddhi refers to cleansing of subtle channels through which vital life-force energy (Prana) travels in the body.<ref>Yogapedia ([https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7535/nadi-shuddhi Nadi Shuddhi]).</ref> It is easier to control the breath and make it longer or shorter in alternate nostril breathing than by regular nose or mouth breathing. Hence, it is said that there is no method better than alternate nostril breathing for gaining control of breath and purifying the channels.<ref name=":8" />
This practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils. The benefits of this Pranayama include,
The process of Nadi Shuddhi or Nadi Shodhana involves closing the right nostril with the right hand’s thumb, inhaling fresh air through the left nostril (puraka) and holding the breath for some time (kumbhaka), followed by exhalation through right nostril (rechaka) while closing the left nostril with the right hand’s index finger and then reversing the process.<ref>Abhishek Pandey and others (2022), [https://ejmcm.com/article_19198_15eac5b09e4ef7b5209014c745304f20.pdf Effect of Nadisuddhi Pranayam on Reaction Time and Autonomic Activity of the Heart], European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 4), Accessed on 2nd November, 2022.</ref> During the process, breathing is kept slow and rhythmic.<ref name=":3" /> This practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, Prana and Apana that are related to the right and left nostrils and their channels, ida and pingala can be balanced by balancing the flow through these two nostrils.<ref name=":8" />
The general benefits of this Pranayama include,
* Deep breathing that enriches blood with oxygen.
* Deep breathing that enriches blood with oxygen.
* Strengthening of the respiratory system and balancing of the nervous system.
* Strengthening of the respiratory system and balancing of the nervous system.
* Help in relieving nervousness and headaches.<ref name=":0" />
* Help in relieving nervousness and headaches.<ref name=":0" />
Moreover, alternative nostril breathing has two forms. Inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left is known as right nostril breathing or solar breathing and has a heating effect while the reverse ie. inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right is known as left nostril breathing or lunar breathing that has a cooling effect. The Right nostril breathing is known to treat hypoactive conditions of the mind like sleepiness, dullness and fatigue while left nostril breathing is known to be useful in conditions of hyperactivity of the mind like insomnia, restlessness and nervous agitation.<ref name=":8" />
=== Cooling Pranayama ===
=== Cooling Pranayama ===