Breath Control (Pranayama)
Pranayams are specially developed breathing techniques. It is the fourth limb of Ashtanga yoga. According to Pathanjali, pranayama is the science of harnessing the breath for gaining control over the prana and thereby, on the mind.Practice of pranayama produces a huge storage of energy in the solar pluxes area. This will cause the body to improve vitality and if any sickness is developing the body can call up on this energy reserve to combat the disease. Pranayama can easily translate as Prana or Breath Control. It is the science of cleansing balancing and gaining control over the prana in the human system. Pranayama improves the brain function as well as increasing the elimination of toxins from the system. Practitioner gets a calm balanced and focused mind, increased vitality and longevity. It awakens the brain and cerebrospinal nerve centres to their limitless potential.
‘Prana’ is a Sanskrit word that has many profound meanings. It means breath, respiration, life, vitality or strength. It can also be termed as energy or life force. Prana is neutral. It’s quality is energy without any quality, just pure energy. This pure energy can take any quality without losing its pureness. Prana can be used to exhilarate meditation, combat sickness, enhance healing and create vitality.
Prana gives also vitality to the physical body and subtle mind and also give the power to think. So prana is both physical and mental energy. Movement thought in the mind arises from the movement of prana and movement of prana arises because of the movement of thought in the consciousness.
‘Ayama’ means stretch, extension, expansion, regulation, prolongation, restoration, length, breadth and pause. Ayama also means control.
Thus, Pranayama means the prolongation and restoration of breath in order to expand the dimensions of prana within the body. Pranayama is a skill which can be acquired through proper training and practice. It may be called an art of breathing to its best advantage. It is also a science of breathing which explains those advantages and make us aware what takes place in our body through practice of breathing. Breath is life. One who controls breath controls life. When the breath is controlled the mind is controlled. When prana is met and conquered, one gains ascendancy over death.There are three reasons that usually attract one to Pranayama. 1st as part of exercise to keep fit. 2nd as a solution to a health problem and3rd as a part of spiritual practice.We, at Sopanam Nature Cure and Yoga Centre make you proficient in the practice of Pranayama regardless of your reasons for practicing it. Proficiency in “Pranayama” i.e. Breath Control, makes you live long and healthy. Health and happiness through the mastery over breath is what we aim at.