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| Pranayam |
Breathing
is a natural process which sustains human life, and yet there are many things
about breathing that people remain oblivious about. Learning the correct way to
breath may be not on the list of priorities for most people, as it comes
naturally to all forms of life. Nevertheless,You can live a healthy lifestyle by adopting Pranayam in your daily life. The ability to master your
breathing by a few techniques has shown numerous health benefits which affects
both mind and body.
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is the fourth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. Yoga is an ancient Indian
holistic practice, brought down by sages who realized these techniques of regulating
the breath by controlling inhalation and exhalation. A culmination of two words
“prana” which means life and “ayama” which are a set of practices
which enforce this energy. The quantity and quality of prana and the way it flows through the nadis* (inner channels)
and chakras (subtle energy centres)
determines strongly influences one’s state of mind. If the prana level is high and its flow is continuous, smooth and steady,
the mind remains calm, positive and enthusiastic. Unfortunately, for the
average person who doesn’t pay enough attention to his breathing, may be
partially or fully blocked. As a result, adding anxiety, fear and a host of
other negative emotions, which this individual finds hard to comprehend.
Two powerful pranayama techniques to try at home.
Remember
to never strain your breath, always respect your capacity and perform all
techniques without being out of your comfort zone. The procedures below are
meant for beginners and for that reason it is not suggested any retention of
breath after inhalations like, in general, is classically practiced.
1. Anulom-Vilom Pranayama: in this technique we breathe deeply, using individual nostrils.
1. Anulom-Vilom Pranayama: in this technique we breathe deeply, using individual nostrils.
Procedure
: Close the index finger and the middle finger of your right hand. Now, close
your right nostril with your thumb and slowly exhale from the left
nostril.After exhaling, slowly inhale through the same nostril. Keep your
breath in for 2 seconds. Then close your left nostril with your ring finger and
exhale through the right nostril. Now, inhale from the right one, hold it for 2
seconds and exhale from the left one closing your right nostril with the right
thumb. You can repeat this process for 2-5 minutes, trying to lengthen the
breath but staying always within your capacity and comfort.
Advantages of Anulom-Vilom:
·
Enhances memory power
·
Keeps heart diseases at
bay
·
Improves eyesight
·
Regulates blood
pressure
·
Purifies blood by
blocking the passage of carbon dioxide into the arteries.
2. Ujjayi
Pranayama: in
this technique the sound of your breathing should be that of like a humming
bee.
Procedure:
Close your ears with your thumbs place your index fingers on the temple and
close your eyes with the other three fingers. Slowly inhale through your nose
and hold it for a few seconds. keeping your mouth closed, slowly exhale by
making a humming sound. The sound is achieved by partially contracting the
glottis. You can repeat it for 5 minutes or as long as it is comfortable.
Advantages of Ujjayi :
·
Relieves stress,
anxiety and heaviness
·
Prevents or cures
throat diseases
·
Improves voice tone,
making it melodious
·
Effective in
streamlining the vocal production processes
Contraindications: Pranayama is good for mind, body and
soul and should be inculcated into our daily lives. However some people should
avoid these breathing exercises if they suffer from the following physical
conditions.
●
Women
during pregnancy and menstruation
●
People
suffering from Cardiac and Pulmonary disorders
●
Patients
of Hernia and Hypertension
●
People
who have undergone a surgery in the recent past
Modern medical treatments can be expensive and time consuming. Pranayama proposes an easy and cost effective way to prevent
diseases; helping you to be healthy and stay relaxed after hard days work.
These exercises will help you make the most of your mind, body and soul. Though
you are welcome to gently try it out by yourself we suggest having proper
guidance by a teacher since pranayama
is delicate and powerful. It’s a real surprise that these simple practices have
remained anonymous to many. And like everything in Yoga, it just goes to prove
that you don't need to be rich to live a healthy lifestyle.
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