PRANAYAMA

PRANAYAMA
The process of breathing occurs in our body automatically, spontaneously & naturally. We are breathing even when we are not aware of it because breathing is important for the body for 2 reasons –
1) It is the only means to supply of O2 and is very vital for our survival.
2) It gets rid of all the toxins from the body.
Most people do not know the correct way of breathing & this results in using only a small part of our lung capacity. Also, most of the people has unregulated breath this leads to increase or decrease of CO2 in the blood. If CO2 is more, then respiratory centre becomes more active i.e. we breath faster. These fluctuations in the breath leads to respiratory problems. Our resistance to disease is decrease. Therefore, if is essential to regulate the breath so that the lungs can be used to the optimum capacity and thus O2 is supplied to different parts of the body in ample amount. Prescribes different techniques to balance the flow of energy in our body. Pranayama is the practice totally devoted for this purpose.
The word Pranayama has been formed by the combination of 2 Sanskrit terms Prana & Ayama.
Prana : Prana is considered to be the life fore i.e. which maintains the life. Prana is Sanskrit, it means before (pra)breath (ana). prana is a friend to the entire world, that is why it is known as "Vishwamitra."
It is prana which resides with the orgons 2 units all the body as unit. It maintans 2 protects body, : It is known as "Bhardwaj".
Prana is worshipped as creator, destroyer & the preserves of all the universe. It is honoured as the all pervading entity & lord of all creatures. Prana is the cause of all sense organs in the body, which is known as "Vashistha."
Prana is supposed to be responsible for all function being carried out within body all these can be divided into 5 different aspects of prana –
a) Prana – It moves in the thoracic region & controls breathing
b) Apana – Moves in lower abdomen & controls elimination of urine, semen
c) Samana – Strokes gastric fires, aiding digestion & maintaining harmonious functioning of the abdominal organs.
d) Udna – Working through throat, controls the vocal cords & intake of air & food
e) Vyana – pervades entire body.
There are other 5 subsidiary of prana (naga, kurma, kirkil, devadatta & dhananjaya)
Ayama : Ayama is not just control but extension, expansion, length, prolongation or restraint.
Therefore, Pranayama means – prolongation of breath & restraint. It is the expansion of the life force through control of the breath.
Pranayama is, 4th limb of ashtanga yoga which is preceded by Asama. There is a reason behind it i.e.
Pranayama, spine & spinal muscles are the sources of action & the lungs are the receiving instruments. They must be trained to open & to extend in all directions & the spinal muscles straightened, cultured & toned to create space & stimulate the spinal nerves to draw energy from the breath. All kinds of postures are : essential if we have to derive maximum benefit out of pranayama.
Now, the Yoga traditions gives a list of 14 things, concept of which should be clear enough to practice pranayama – These are as follows
(1) Asana (2) Puraka (3) Rechaka (4) Kumbhaka (5) Mulabandha (6) Jalandhara Bandha (7) Uddiyana Bandha (8) Ida (9) Pingla (10) Sushumana (11) Shatchakras (12) Kundalini (13) Matra (14) Desha.
HYP & GS & PS which are considered to be most important of yogic texts, gives ample knowledge about pranayama.
According to GS, then are special time periods which the practice of pranayama should begin.
olUrs 'kjfnoizksDra ;ksxkjEHk lekpjsr~A
rFkk ;ksxh Hkosr~ fl¼h jksxkUeqDrks Hkosr~ /zqoe~AA
(?ksa-l-)
According to HYP, there these are 8 pranayamas which are as follows –
lw;aZHksnua HkqTtk;h lhRdkjh 'khryh rFkk
HkfL=kdk Hkzkejh ewPNkZ IykfouhR;"r dqaHkdkAA
i.e. Suryabhedi, ujjayi, sitkari, sithali, Bhastrika, bhramri, murchha, plavani are the 8 kinds of kumbhakas.
According to Gherand Samhita following are the 8 kinds of pranayamas.

lfgr% lw;Zhksn'p mTtk;h 'khryh rFkkA
HkfL=kdk Hkzkejh ewPNkZ dsoyh ok"VdqEHkdk%AA
Sahita is further divided into (1) Sagarbha; (2) Nigarbha
To understand the art of pranayama, for a healthy living, it is essential to know its methodology. It consit of long, sustained, subtle flow of inhale (puraka), exhalation (Rechaka), & Retention (Kumbhaka). The concept of PRK is very important to the maximum benefit of pranayama.
Puraka – It is the controlled inhalation along with which chest is expanded to fill it up with air upto the maximum capacity of the inspiratory receptors of the lungs. This stimulates the respiratory system.
Kumbhaka – It is the phase of retention of breath (1) Abhyantara; (2) Bahya
By applying the Jalandhara bandha after Puraka 7 also pulling the rectum muscles upwards (mula bandha). This distributes the energy taken in, through out the body.
Rechaka :
It starts with abdomen being drawn in then the ribs are contracted emptying the lungs. The end of K, one releases the jalandhara bandha & then begins Rechaka by contraction of the muscles of pelvic region & this further pushes the thoracic diaphragm upward & there is simultaneous contraction of chest. The air starts squeezing out. This helps to throw out the vitiated air & toxins from the body.
PRECAUTION
1) Having proper yogic diet is a necessary pre requisite before the practice of Pranayama.
2) Empty bladder & bowels before starting pranayama.
3) Choose a sechuded, clean, airy space.
4) One should observe the principle of cleanliness
5) The best time to practice is early morning,
6) Back should be eract
7) Do not perform pranayama in haste nor when lungs are congested
8) Relax in savasana for some time after practicing pranayama
9) Kumbhaka is not to be practiced by Heart Patient, High B.P. & asthmatic patients
10) No jerks should be given
11) At the end of K, the practitioner must have as much control over his lungs as would make a smooth, proportionate Rechaka Possible.
12) Throughout P, the inhalation should be uniform & quite.
13) One has to pay attention to sensation, associated with the gross movement of breathing
14) Releasing of the breath should be slow & smooth without collapsing chest.
15) The whole practice of pranayama should be done with all most ease & comfort.
The ideal relation between PK&R is 1:4:2. But for a beginner it is 1:1:2 then gradually, with practice one can achieve 1:4:2
As mentioned before, there are different kinds of pranayama for each one of them, the concept of PR&K is same but there is a little modification technique. For instance, In surya bhedi pranayanam. The puraka is done from right nostril & R from right. While in ujjayi – the puraka is done through both, nostril & Rechaka is done through left.
Benefits/ Advantages
1) The rhythmic use of diaphragm & abdominal muscles in pranayama directly stimulates intestinal circulate. Therefore it helps the intestines in its functioning of absorbing of food material & disposing of wastes.
2) Pranayama helps to maintain, flow of blood which tones, nerves, brain, spinal cord & cardiac muscles, thus maintaining their efficiency.
3) Nadis, internal organs & cells are purified.
4) Practice of pranayama increases digestion, vigour, vitality, perception & memory.
5) Helps in digestion & assimilation because of massage given to the digestive organs by the movement of diapheagrm & abdominal muscles.
6) Through pranayama the elasticity & health of respiratory muscles is build up by stretching of chest muscles to maximum & lungs opened as far as possible.
7) It brings strength & knowledge through practice.
8) A state of serenity filled with bliss is experienced by the sadhaka
9) Pranayama removes impurities & refines sadhaka & prepares his body & mind to become fit for concentration (dharana) & meditation (dhyana).