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| * It improves concentration skills | | * It improves concentration skills |
| * It releases anxiety | | * It releases anxiety |
− | * It improves lung capacity<ref name=":0" /> | + | * It expands the lungs and improves lung capacity<ref name=":0" /> |
− | More importantly, Pranayama helps develop the capacity and fitness for holding focus in the matter of practicing dharanas. Because mind and Prana are mutually agitative; mind's agitation agitates Prana while Prana's agitation agitates the mind. Thus, stabilizing the Prana facilitates mind's ability to concentrate.<ref name=":1">Swami Veda Bharati (2001), Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Volume II Sadhana Pada), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> | + | * It increases respiratory stamina |
| + | * It relaxes chest muscles |
| + | * It raises energy levels |
| + | It causes over-all improvement in lung functions.<ref name=":3">Senthil Kumar K. and Others (2013), [https://www.ijmrhs.com/medical-research/consolidate-effect-of-vibhagha-pranayama-nadishuddi-pranayama-savithiri-pranayama-and-kapalabhati-pranayama-on-the-pulmo.pdf Consolidate effect of Vibhagha Pranayama, Nadi Shuddi Pranayama, Savithiri Pranayama and Kapalabhati Pranayama on the Pulmonary Functional Status of Young Healthy Male Subjects], International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (Volume 2 Issue 3 July-September), Accessed on 1st November 2022.</ref> More importantly, Pranayama helps develop the capacity and fitness for holding focus in the matter of practicing dharanas. Because mind and Prana are mutually agitative; mind's agitation agitates Prana while Prana's agitation agitates the mind. Thus, stabilizing the Prana facilitates mind's ability to concentrate.<ref name=":1">Swami Veda Bharati (2001), Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Volume II Sadhana Pada), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> |
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| == प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama == | | == प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama == |
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| # Laya or Silencing Pranayama like Bhramari<ref name=":0" /> | | # Laya or Silencing Pranayama like Bhramari<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | === I. Vitalizing Pranayama: Kapalabhati is one of the yoga === | + | === Vitalizing Pranayama === |
− | vitalizing prnayama. 'Kapalbhati' means 'shining forehead' in sanskrit. | + | Kapalabhati is one of the vitalizing pranayamas. 'Kapalabhati' means 'shining forehead' in Samskrit.<ref name=":0" /> The process involves exhaling with full force by squaring the stomach inwards after deep inspiration. This act throws the abdominal gas out with a jerk.<ref name=":3" /> Thus, it removes carbon-dioxide from the body and makes one feel fresh, oxygenated and vitalized.<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | Benefits:
| + | === Balancing Pranayama === |
− | | + | Also known as alternative nostril breathing, Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama is a balancing pranayama. The process involves using alternate nostril breathing. Shuddhi means ‘to purify’. The practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils. |
− | • It removes carbon-dioxide from your body,
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− | • Makes you feel fresh, oxygenated and vitalized.
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− | | |
− | === 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.
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| Benefits | | Benefits |
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| • The deeper breathing enriches the blood with oxygen. | | • The deeper breathing enriches the blood with oxygen. |
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− | • This pranayama strengthens the respiratory system and | + | • This pranayama strengthens the respiratory system and balances the nervous system. |
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− | balances the nervous system. | |
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| • It helps to relieve nervousness and headaches. | | • It helps to relieve nervousness and headaches. |
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− | === III. Cooling Pranayama: Chandra Anuloma Viloma Pranayama === | + | === Cooling Pranayama === |
− | is a cooling Prnayama. It is done in which both inhalation and exhalation is done through left nostril adopting Nasika Mudra. | + | Chandra Anuloma Viloma Pranayama is a cooling Pranayama. It is done in which both inhalation and exhalation is done through left nostril adopting Nasika Mudra. |
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| Benefits | | Benefits |
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| • It is not advisable to practice in winter | | • It is not advisable to practice in winter |
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− | === IV. Laya or Silencing Pranayama - Bhramari is a Laya or === | + | === Laya or Silencing Pranayama === |
− | 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. | + | 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. |
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| Benefits | | Benefits |