Yoga breathing is the basic and fundamental practice of yoga. Breath moves one through yoga poses with focus. Breath helps maintain a quiet peace within oneself and allows each individual engaging in Yoga or any routine, to check in internally. Yoga breathing takes practice, however, once mastered it will serve as a great gift to oneself. The ability to control breath and thus emotion, thoughts and energy will set any follower on the path to enlightenment.
What is Pranayama?
In Sanskrit pranayama means ‘the rhythmic control of breath’. It is thus the control of breath through restraint and observation. When broken up ‘Prana’ means life force or vital energy, ‘-ayama’ is to suspend or restrain.
Many nominate food as the provider of our energy. This is true to a degree. We need the right kind of food to sustain positive energy throughout our day, however, ideas and thoughts also grant us a large amount of energy. If you have a good idea you are able to work all night to achieve its outcome, whilst driven by the idea.
According to Yogi’s, the third energy source, is breath. Breath, life and energy are rooted together and called ‘prana.’ Yoga breathing is prana which gives energy to life.
Pranayama exercises expand consciousness, increases vitality and mental focus.When we shift consciousness of our breathing, we shift the activity to the cerebral cortex, a more evolved part of the brain. Studies done on pranayama exercises, have shown through brain wave activity, that breath control and awareness have physiological, psychological and spiritual effects. Deep conscious breathing whilst expanding the lungs impacts health and cellular processes enormously. This is where we get the ‘feel happy’ mood.
Breath is the bridge to the nervous system. When we control and monitor our breathing, we are able to relax the mind and promote steady thinking. According the Hatha Yoga Pradipika “by restraining respiration (pranayama) the yogi attains steadiness of mind.”
What is Meditation?
Meditation is a practice done to quiet the mind and allow a single focus through breath control. It is not the expulsion of thoughts, it is rather the taming of all stimuli and thought processes and bringing the mind to a single focus.
The practice involves breathing and focusing on the breath. This activity allows all external forces to melt away and thus to clear the mind. When one comes out of the meditative state, one feels rejuvenated and focused.
Meditation does not teach you to avoid all thoughts or pain but rather to observe them objectively and move through the pain with renewed energy. Meditation is also a practice. It seems restricting when first practiced, however, with regular sessions, meditation feels as fresh as a glass of water for the mind.
Stress, fear, pain and anxiety cause the body to slow down whilst depleting energy. Meditation helps to relax the mind and body, relieving it of stress and thus renewing focus and clarity.
The physiological benefits of meditation are great. Meditation lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure is triggered in part by brain wave activity. Stress related conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, asthma, insomnia are relieved whilst also reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Meditation comes from the Latin word ‘meditor’, meaning healing. ‘Meditor’ comes from the Sanskrit ‘mad-ha’ which means wisdom.
Many beginners to yoga are intimidated by the practice of yoga as they assume that one needs to mediate for extended periods of time.
Meditation is usually practiced after the asanas. In ancient days Buddhists would practice yoga asanas to relax the body and relieve any aches and kinks. This prepared the Buddhist to sit for hours on end meditating. In classes today, however, many would practice yoga / pranayama breathing through savasana at the end of practice. One should ideally begin practicing breathing at least 10 minutes a day. Pranayama and meditation practice are vital for relieving stress and discomfort. It is a great practice for pregnant women, children and the elderly. The younger yogi also benefits greatly from regular quiet time.
Lets breathe
Deeper meditative practice could be described, however for the purpose of this article we are going to be concentrating on the basic, fundamental pranayama, or yoga breathing exercise.
Come to a corpse pose (laying down on ones back)
First tense then relax each part of the body.
Start by tensing the feet and legs. Start by raising the left leg, flexing the foot. Bend the leg down, and lay flat with toes pointing out. Now repeat this with the right leg. Lifting the leg, tensing and flexing the right foot. Bend the leg down and lay the leg flat relaxing the foot out.
Tense each part of the body, all the muscles. Pulling in the buttocks, then releasing. Flexing the abdomen then releasing. Moving up through the arms. the neck and then finally the head.
Knowing how tension feels then relaxing. The mind will then use ‘autosuggestion’ to send messages to the body to relax.
Close your eyes and listen to your breath move its way from the core all the way to the chest and out. It washes over you like a wave from the ocean. Listen to the waves moving.
Breathe in and out through the nose.
Put your hands on your belly to feel the breath rising and falling. Try to extend the length of the breath. Listen to the breath. Do not strain.
Listen to the rhythm of your breath and allow it to travel through out your body. Let the breath come into your body, let the breath travel to your feet, your legs, your pelvic area, your belly, your heart.
Feel the breath moving and releasing. Feel each part of your body melting into the ground deeper and deeper. Your legs are as heavy as trees. Let them sink into the earth. Feel your body sinking deeper.
All your tension is melting away, leaving your body. Tension crawls off you into the ground. You are completely relaxed.
Namaste and Blessings