ปราณายาม Pranayam – Singh Yoga and Ayurveda

Pranayam Science

What is Pranayama?

Definition of Pranayama according to the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali:
Tasmin sati svas-pra-svas yor-gati-vicchedah pranayam

“Regulation of breath or the control of Prana is the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation, which follows after securing that steadiness of posture or seat.”
Word Meaning: Tasmin sati = after having asana Practice, Svas = inhalation, Pra-svas = exhalation, Yor-gati= that speed, Vicchedah = to break or divided, Pranayam = pranayam.

During the practice of Pranayama, we use inhalation and exhalation. There in the Sanskrit yoga language we said svasa and prasvasa.

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Why We Need Pranayam?

According to an estimate our lungs take in 180 – 200 cubic inches. When we inhale, we take in 30 cubic inches air and exhale the same amount. This is clear that around 150 cubic inches remains in the lungs all the time. If we take a deep long breath, then we can inhale and exhale up to 100 cubic inches of air. With Pranayam we can make major part of the air present in the lungs active in the breathing cycle. If the residual air in the lungs gets purified, the food is digested properly, the body organs become strong, and the body in cleaned. Whatever food we eat comes in oxygen that is inhaled in the process of respiration. The oxidation process yields several important compounds that are useful for the body. The carbon present in the food becomes carbon dioxide. It mixes with nitrogen, and other elements present in the food and is thrown out when we exhale. Phosphorous presents in the food comes in contact with oxygen and becomes phosphate, which builds bones in our body.

Here it needs to be mentioned that short, incomplete, and shallow respiration is generally fast and the person with fast rate of breathing does not live long. The longer (deeper the breath) the breathing cycle and slower the rate of breathing, the longer is the life. This is the secret behind the long life of tortoise, which lives up to 200 years or even more. It takes three to five breaths in a minute. Pigeon, pigs and other animals take 34-37 breaths per minute and live for 10-12 years. Humans take 15 breaths in a minute and by practicing Pranayam they can increase the life span. Controlling the breath gives the ability to control the sensory organs, leads to intellectual and spiritual attainment. History is full of references about glorious stories of many practitioners of Pranayam. Pranayam for individual practice should be selected in accordance with the objective one could be striving for. Sage Patanjali has specified Pranayam that is useful mainly for people with spiritual aspirations. Other texts and classics describe Pranayam that can strengthen the body and cure diseases.

Nadi Shodhan Pranayam

WYA-singhaya

Meditation Pranayam

WYA-singhaya

Good nasal cleaning and equipment

It is best to use tools or materials that are around you and come from nature.

It is best to use natural materials such as a neti pot made from clay (ceramic). Avoid using plastic or fiber.
Use homemade salt water. Use 1 tablespoon of salt/flower salt/500 ml of warm water. Dissolve in water and use a neti pot.
Wash each side 1-2 times or until the saline solution is gone.
After washing, pat dry with a soft cloth and start doing kapallbhati Pranayam.

Singhanu

Useful Pranayam for our life do only 2-5 minutes/day

Pranayam: Om Kar

This one is the most important technique to get concentration. It is the same technique as Om chanting but here we mainly focus on the breath with sound awareness and feel the vibration.

Practice Duration:  

Minimum 15 – 60 Minutes or more

How to do:

Close your eyes and relax your whole body. Sit in any comfortable position.
Deep breath in from both nostrils.
Exhale from the mouth with “O” Sound in the beginning and “M” Sound in the end of the breath.
Repeat all steps.

NOTE

“O” Sound should be 20% and “M” Sound should be 80%

In Additional

The Omkar Mantra is one of the most important that talk about the benefits of Omkar Pranayam.

ॐ कारं बिंदुसंयुक्तं नित्यं ध्यायंति योगिनः । कामदं मोक्षदं चैव ॐ काराय नमो नमः॥

Mantra: Omkaram bindu samyuktam nityam dhyayanti yoginah । Kamadam mokshadam chaiva omkaraya namo namaha ॥

Meaning: Omkaram bindu samyuktam = Who resides In the Spiritual Heart Center as Omkara
nityam dhyayanti yoginah = On Whom the Yogis Constantly Meditate (everyday)
Kamadam mokshadam = Who Grants All Desires and Liberation to His Devotees.
omkaraya namo namaha = Salutations to that Shiva, who is represented by syllable “Om”,