Yoga Breathing - Pranayama

What is Pranayama?

"Prana means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy orstrength. It also connotes the soul as opposed to the body. The word is generally used in the plural to indicate vital breaths. Ayama means length, expansion, stretching or restraint.Pranayama thus connotes extension of breath and itscontrol." [Light on Yoga, B. K. S. Iyengar]Pranayama is the control of ones breath and the extension and expansion of lifeforce throughout the body. Prana is in everything. It is the string through thehummingbird, it is the wind through the trees, and it is the buzzing of the bee.Prana is the energy, which connects us. It is the energy, which is separatedfrom the body. It is the energy, which we connect with through our breath andhow we extend its life throughout the body. Pranayama exercises are done through the nose. The nose is extremely functional in filtering and warming the air that enters the body with its thinnasal hairs. Breathing through the nose also heats the body. This is very helpfulduring the practice of Yoga Asanas. The warmth of the body and the breathhelps the practitioner soften into the pose, whilst remaining strong andfocused.Breathing through the nose is important too as prana enters the body moresteadily through the nose. Prana is able to reach the central nervous system and

the brain by passing the olfactory organs at the back of the nose. Thus it isimportant to breath deeply from the core, filling the entire lung.

There are three steps to proper deep Pranayama breathing

The first is inhalation or 'puraka'. This is the filling up of the lungs with filteredair through the nose. Breathe from the core, expanding the lungs. The chestlifts up. The next step is retention or 'kumbhaka'. There is no inhalation or exhalation.Like with all Yoga asanas retaining the pose is very important to accomplishfocus and strength. Retention of the breath is to be done without strain. One isto be relaxed and focused. When there is strain, the quality of the breath isaltered and focus is lost.The state where breath is held after a full inhalation and before exhalation begins is known as 'antara kumbhaka'.The state where retention is practiced after a full exhalation and beforeinhalation is done is called bahya kumbhaka. Antara means inner and bahyameans outer.. Therefore, kumbhaka or retention is the time interval between inhalation (puraka) and exhalation (rechaka).The third step to pranayama is exhalation, 'rechaka'. Exhalation needs thepractitioner to lengthen the out-breath by slowing down its release andcompletely emptying out the lungs. Contracting the throat muscles and makingthe ocean sound on the exhalation can achieve this.Practice pranayama and notice its rhythm. Rhythms are importantphysiologically. It is through proper rhythm that the heart beats.There have been many discussions on the importance of stages.Some have argued that inhalation is the more important stage of breathing.However, if exhalation did not clean out the lungs as thoroughly, the amount of air inhaled would be limited.Some have said that the retention and its length play more importance.Personally, I feel that with any asana, it is all very important. All are dependanton the other for its proper rhythm of life force or prana entering and movingthrough body.

The importance of Pranayama

Pranayama is important to detoxify the lungs. All noxious air is let out and thelung is emptied. The practitioner now has the ability to bring in clean, air.Pranayama should be practiced in a setting, which is not too cold or too hot.The body has to be completely comfortable without any strain, or tension fromclimate. If it is slightly cooler, cover ones shoulders with a blanket.