Pranayama aims at bringing the involuntary functions of the respiratory mechanism within human control.
The
term pranayama has been constituted by two words: Prana + Ayama. Prana
is the vital force which pervades the whole cosmos. Prana is more subtle
than air and can be defined as the energy essence that is within
everything in the universe. Prana is the principle of development and
sustenance both of the nervous and cellular tissues of the body and the
mind.
In the process of breathing when the prana air is
inhaled, definite action takes place. One is related to the ingestion of
oxygen into the alveoli and the other to the ingestion of the nervous
energy into the brain system.
Ayama means to control or to give a
rhythm or a definite flow. In this sense Pranayama may be defined as a
process and technique through which vital energy can be stimulated and
increased: and this brings about perfect control over the flow of Prana
within the body.
Pranayama is an exact science. Regulation of
breathing, as a matter of fact, is natural. It hardly offers any scope
of artificiality. The breath enters through the nose and depending on
ones general health and strength of the lungs; it is retained inside and
then is exhaled. This natural condition of intake and outflow of the
breath goes on continuously and it is on this process that human life
depends.
The difference between this natural process and the
'Pranayama' is that in the former the inhalation and exhalation is not
necessarily connected with the mind ; that process continues owing to
the natural functioning of the heart and lungs. The inhalation and the
exhalation are, hence, not of any set duration. In some person the
inhalation may take a longer time than the exhalation and in some others
the opposite may occur.
In Pranayama, however, there is a
systematic regulation of both the inhalation and exhalation. This is for
the reason that the mind is joined to the action of inhalation and
exhalation known as Puraka and Rechaka respectively in practicing the
Pranayama. Hence their longer and shorter duration within a specified
time has to be controlled. The result of this controlled inhalation and
exhalation, both in respect of speed and time has a mere beneficial
effect on the mind and the body than that of the natural process.
Most
of us who largely depend on the natural process will derive immense
benefit on falling ill by controlled inhalation and exhalation. Such
person should inhale slowly and exhale equally slowly in the beginning
for 5 to 10 times depending on their strength and continue doing this
morning and evening for 25 to 30 day.
The natural inhalation is
hence called "SWASHANA" or breathing and that inhalation and exhalation
which is done extending time limit by applying the power of mind is
called "DEERGHASWASHANA" or Pranayama.
BENEFITS OF PRANAYAMA
He
who practices Pranayama will have good appetite, cheerfulness, handsome
figure, good strength, courage, and enthusiasm, a high standard of
health, vigor and vitality and good concentration of mind. Pranayama is
quite suitable for the Westerners also.
A Yogi measures the span
of his life not by the number of years but by the number of his breaths.
You can take in a certain amount of energy or Prana from the
atmospheric air along with each breath. Vital capacity is the capacity
shown by the largest quantity of air a man can inhale after the deepest
possible exhalation. A man takes fifteen breaths in a minute. The total
number of breaths comes to 21,600 times per day.
Other benefits are as follows:-
- It makes the life meaningful and social.
- It keeps the man balanced in all the conditions and situations.
- It helps in understanding the real nature of man and its relationships with the community.
- It manages psycho physical diseases.
- It put chain on the senses.
- It makes the body healthy.
- It helps in controlling the modalities of mind.
- It gives opportunities to soul to flourish.
- Intellectual development is accelerated.
- Will power becomes strong through its practice.
- It develops feelings of national and international well-being.
As
said earlier on my previous post, never attempt Yoga on your own, or by
following books. Please take the help of a good Guru and take it
forward from there.
Cheers!
Imported from: http://pkhari.blogspot.in
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