Pranayama [ pruh-nuh-yuh-muh ] = breath control; breath extension
prana = vital life force; breath
yama = control; regulation
Pranayama is the practice of harnessing the breath to free up the flow of prana (life force) in your body.
"When the practices of pranayama are done successfully, the darknesses of affliction, ignorance, conditioning, karmas and samkaras is removed, revealing the light of clarity."
Yoga Sutra 2.52
There are four parts to the breath:
Inhalation (puraka)
Internal retention (antara-khumbaka)
Exhalation (rechaka)
External retention (bahya-khumbaka)
Why practice pranayama?
effective tool for managing stress
lowers heart rate
a practice of mindfulness
increases lung capacity
increases oxygen to brain
boosts energy and mental clarity
Some common pranayama techniques you may have practiced are:
nadi shodhana | alternate nostril breathing
ujjayi | victorious breath; ocean breath
sama vritti | box breathing
viloma pranayama | interrupted breath
We'll be breaking each of these (and more) down on the platform - stay tuned!
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