PRANAYAMA YOGA

In Patanjali’s eight stages of Yoga disciplines, Pranayama is the fourth stage. Two Sanskrit words namely ‘Prana’ and ‘Ayama’ are united as one single word “Pranayama”. The word 'Prana' refers to life or force of life. The word 'Ayama' refers to growth or control. Hence, Pranayama is the growth and control of the life force. It works hand in hand with the Asanas or exercise.

Pranayama Yoga, which is also known as yoga breathing, mainly focuses on specific breathing exercises which invoke relaxation and enhance optimum recovery. Relaxation, breath awareness, meditation, visualization techniques, and guided breathing exercises are employed by yoga instruction.

Focusing the mind and striving for personal reunion is the actual aim of Pranayama. You purposely change your regular breathing patterns by practicing Pranayama. This change in breathing styles changes your mindset and reduces mental disturbances. Thus your thoughts will be clear and it will enhance your self-understanding.

The basic process of breathing in Pranayama yoga contains the four cyclic stages. They are inhalation, pause, exhalation and pause. It is believed that fire (Agni) subsists in our bodies close to the navel and the contaminations settle below that, in the abdominal region called ‘Apana’. These impurities are burned by the fire, and our breath affects the quality of the flame. In addition to this, breath controls the flow of infections in the direction of the fire for burning, and away from it in order to leave the body.

Benefits of Pranayama Yoga:

Many researchers and practitioners have reported that Pranayama techniques are really beneficial. Some of the uses of doing Pranayama Yoga are,

You develop a steady mind and get better concentration.

Pranayama Yoga helps you fight against stress and increases your lung capacity.

You can get an enhanced control on emotions.

Your autonomic functions get improved.

You can get rid of Asthma symptoms and signs of Oxidative stress.

Pranayama practice may lengthen your life and increase perception.