The secret of breathing

Breath which acts as an interface between our body and mind is also responsible for emotional control and thoughts emotions hence Pranayama (Yogic Breathing) has too much significance in our daily life hence it is important in today’s time to rediscover this unique science of breathing with a practical and scientific approach.

The literal and exact translation of this Sanskrit word Pranayama is “control of the prana” or ‘’Retention of Prana’’. Sage Patanjali has even defined this term as nothing but a pause between inhalation and exhalation. Yes, there is few exception and that is Bhastrika and Kapalbhati which is a forceful breathing technique where retention has been discarded. 

Prana which can scientifically be defined as complex multidimensional energy with a combination of electric, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, thermal, ocular with not forget the mental energy and is called the vital energy in the yogic text, the other way it’s a life force. Any matter which has ‘’Prana’’ comes into the category of ‘’Prani’’ or can be defined as Living being.

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Every ‘’Parni’’ or every living creature is born with some potential ‘’Prana’’ and it’s the ‘’Samskara’’ or a parson karmic value will define the amount of Prana He or she is born with. The importance of Pranayama thus comes as an important aspect as it said that the latent pranic energy can be stimulated by practicing of Pranayama.

Why Pranayama?

image2Pranayama if practiced properly can improve the pranic value of the person and thus when worked with Prana and its quantum then quality will improve and all those dormant areas of the brain will rejunivate and improve. The Human brain works only ten percent and rests 90 % of the brain is either inactive or in the dormant stage, while practicing pranayama it gives room to expand the brain to its maximum capacity. This is because of the high amount of energy is required to the whole brain to work simultaneously and practicing pranayama will enhance the capacity; although it requires the continuous process and practice and should be performed every day as a routine.

‘’Dhyana’’ (meditation) is too controlling your own mind and which is most difficult things you can do in life but our ancient yogis have developed the series of breathing technique which enhances the power to control the mind and thus signify the role of ‘’Pranayama’’. This perhaps observed the intimate connection between the mind and the breath, ancient yogis developed a series of breathing techniques that would enable them to control their minds.

Observing the breath

Normally if a person is in calm position and in peace with deep thought his breath is slow sometimes and it has been observed even in suspended position for a shorter period and a person whose mind is affected by negative emotions then his breathing is fast, irregular and unsteady. This it shows that how does breath has interdependence and interaction with the mind. The natural tendency of the mind is fluctuation and unsteadiness. 

The job of brain is to fluctuate by the images it sees, hears or experiences through the Senses can be mastered by practicing ‘’Pratayahara’’ as sage ‘’Patanjali’’ described in his scripture that withdrawing of senses is possible through ‘’Pratayahara’’ in his eight limbs of shutra ,hence practicing of Pranayama will perfect the ‘’Pratayahara’’ which is the best way to control senses. When you are able to control senses it will be easy for the mind to be one-pointed. And one pointed mind will always be in bliss and peaceful

Significance of Pranayama

Regular practice of Yogic breathing will not only improve and maintain good health but will have a face that has vitality and shine with a unique auraimage4,

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Will have better immune to fight viruses and bacteria, which will not thrive with an adequate amount of oxygen in the body.

It can be helpful for handling pressure and stress that occurs due to today’s lifestyle. It Will make you one pointed and focused and one can experience the sense of calm and well-being.

This will give a confidence for verbal delivery whether you are in any field of your job, be its office job, corporate culture, public figure, actor, dancer, performer, teacher, public speaker, or simply have a job where you need to be more vocal.

It Can make you emotionally stronger, an audible power of authority at the same time can have a voice that is sweet and melodious. Practicing of “Pranayama” has an important role in arousing of one inner spiritual force that brings you joy and peace of mind.

Gives vitality because irregular breath will make mind is unsteady which is not good for better health and for vitality, hence in yogic practice, it is strongly advised first to master on Pranayama

Breathing Physiology

We breathe from the womb just after 15 weeks of pregnancy and even after birth though constantly breathing but don’t know how to breathe properly, proper breathing is an indication and regulator of any one health and well-being: mental, physical, psychological and emotional. The proper breathing is a kea of healthy life and by sufficing the amount of oxygen to body organ and one can properly metabolize assimilate the food what we eat and eliminate the toxins from the body.

Most of us even don’t use our lungs capacity to its maximum which they are capable and as a result, our breath tends to shallow or broken. Mostly with lack of knowledge about lungs capacity or improper breathing we make our rib cage rigid rather than allowing it to expand its maximum with each in-breath, and as result, we get tired easily and feel more stressed. 

This generally happens as we are not performing full yogic breath and do not use the lungs capacity and volume of breath which we intake tends to accumulate in our upper back and neck. Often a person who is in stress or tense tends to breathe faster and struggle with shallow breathing and some time even goes to addition like smoking or drinking, instead it can be resolved by taking deep breath which will ease the mind and will relax the disturbed mind as the intake of oxygen quantity will relax the brain

Acknowledge your breathing

Yogic breathing is a technique where one can learn how to breathe and how to use lungs capacity to its maximum. To experiment and acknowledge one has to first understand his/her breathing pattern as that may be the first guideline before you fix your breathing pattern. One has to first sit or lie on ‘’savasana’’ position and take few deep inhalation and exhalation before you start this practice. Once you are aware of breathing slowly need to come down at the normal breathing and keep your body relax just to observe the pattern of the breathing, this can be considered as a practice of just understanding the way one breathe, remember that one should not change or try to alter his/her breathing pattern. The process can be extended by counting reverse from 27 till it comes to Zero. Remember while counting 27 it should be breath in and then again 27 breathe out, Breath in 26 and breath out 26 and goes on till a practitioner reaches zero. There can be possibilities that while doing this practice one may forget counting, in this way one has to again start counting from 27 till you reach Zero.

Correcting your breath

Once you acknowledge your breathing pattern it’s time to correct your breathing pattern. one can start with first single nostril breathing and then alternate nostril breathing followed by Kapalbhati and Bhastrika. The advanced learner can follow Nadi sodhan, SuryaBhedi, ChandraBhedi, Bharamri to master the pranayama later on gradually. Remember Pranayama needs a continuous practice and one should not expect the immediate effect but needs the continuous practice for the fruitful result.