We are half way through our Summer challenge, my yogic friends. And what a perfect week this is to start talking about the breath, Pranayama. I feel that it is the perfect time to EXHALE this week as the studio transformation is almost over, the 200HR training is on its way, and the Fall schedule is shaping up with even more interesting classes added into the schedule. My goal is to create and further nurture our yoga community here at Quiet Mind and the last few weeks have included a lot of "holding my breath". Now I start to feel that it is time to exhale :) So breath in and out with me and the whole Quiet Mind community as you go through your practice mindfully this week.
Prana is the life force or energy that exists everywhere and flows through everything and everyone. Pranayama is the measuring, control, and directing of the breath, in order to purify and remove distractions from the mind, making it easier to concentrate and meditate. It also restore and maintain health and to promote evolution.
Pranayama is extremely important in yoga; it goes hand-in-hand with the physical practice, Asanas as we addressed them last week. In the Yoga Sutra, the practices of pranayama and asana are considered to be the highest form of purification and self discipline for the mind and the body. The basic movements of pranayama are inhalation, retention of breath, and exhalation. “The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of days but by the number of his breaths,” says Mr. Iyengar.
Pranayama involves the use of various breathing techniques, and can be translated as "control of the breathing", or "breathing exercises." However, the use and effects of pranayama are much greater than this. The word prana actually refers to the “vital life force” and ayama means “to control or extend”, so pranayama can also be defined as “extension of the life force”, which is why it can help to restore, to heal and to relax.
The practice produces the actual physical sensation of heat (tapas), or the inner fire of purification (from our second week, the Niyamas). It is taught that this heat is part of the process of purifying the nadis, or subtle nerve channels of the body. This allows a more healthful state to be experienced and allows the mind to become more calm. As you follow the proper rhythmic patterns of slow deep breathing, the patterns strengthen the respiratory system, soothe the nervous system and reduce craving. As desires and cravings diminish, the mind is set free and becomes a fit vehicle for concentration, leading towards the next steps on our Eight Limbs of our yogic path.
This week, you might be focusing on Ujjayi (victorious breath), Nadi Shodana (alternate nostril breath), Shitali (cooling breath) or some other ones. Each technique has a purpose, but the overall benefits of pranayama include increased oxygen uptake, lung capacity and efficiency, and a stronger diaphragm, pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles, which support the organs. The immune system and the digestive fire so important to overall health, are both stimulated.
It is amazing what adjusting your breath can do. If you are emotionally excited, you can stop and deliberately adjust your breath and it will actually alter your mental state. By taking control of the breath, you can control the mind, reducing the constant chatter.
Take a deep and slow breath in…….and now exhale all the air from your lungs. Do it one more time – this time with your eyes closed. Take a nice long breath in…..now, a nice long exhale. May you find peace, breath and happiness in your day today!
Namaste
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