The Art of Breathing - What is PranaYama?

Pranayama is a term used in yoga to describe various breathing techniques. There are many types of pranayama, each with its own specific benefits. Here are some of the most common types of pranayama:

1. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

2. Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath)

3. Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath) often used during Vinyasa style yoga

4. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath) "think humming"

5. Sitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath or refreshing) the tongue is rolled to "sip" the air

6. Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath) "rapid or forced" One of my favorites

Each of these types of pranayama has its own unique benefits, such as calming the mind, improving concentration, reducing stress, increasing oxygen supply to the body, and improving overall respiratory function. It's important to learn pranayama under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher to ensure proper technique and safety.

Pranayama is derived from two words: "prana," which means vital energy or life force, and "yama," which means control or to regulate. In ancient Indian traditions, including Yoga, Ayurveda, and Tantra, prana is considered the fundamental source of all life and consciousness.

The practice of pranayama involves the various breathing techniques noted above that aim to control and regulate the prana or life force in the body. It is believed that by manipulating the breath, one can regulate the flow of prana, leading to improved physical, mental, and spiritual health.

The origin of pranayama can be traced back to the ancient Indian scriptures and texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These texts contain detailed descriptions of various pranayama techniques, along with their benefits and effects on the body and mind.

On average we humans take 20,000 breath cycles a day, that is the inhale, rentention the exhale and rentention, so its a 4 part system. MOST of us never notice, and many of us do not empty out enough to benefit from the releasing CO2 from our blood stream.

By the time we are 50 years old we will have taken around 400 MILLION breaths!!!

Friends, if you have not explored Pranayama and meditation and made a commitment to keeping a practice of it, now is the time.

Contact me for a private lesson on what breathing technique would serve your needs and how to do them correctly for maximum benefits.

Namaste~