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Introduction

Breath is a reflection of life in a human body. It is not oxygen but prana, which impart energy to the Panchkoshas – five sheaths around the human body. Through the discipline of breath more prana is taken and stored in the body thereby bringing more vitality and strength to the body, that is the reason it is termed Pranayam i.e. the inflow of prana. This energy is carried in air, food, water, sunlight and earth within in the form of prana. The sacred science of Pranayam comes straight from the sages known as “seer’s” to purify the nerve channels and activates the chakras known as Psychic Centers: to arouse the Kundalini or serpent power.

PRELIMINARY BREATHING EXERCISES

Our lungs have amazing power to contract & relax opening up 72 crore of air spaces. Pranayam are disciplined breathing techniques some simple breathing techniques, and breathing patterns make the performance & understanding of Pranayam better & deeper. They not only help in activating and increasing the capacity of the lungs but also are good as a meditation on breath. The important one among them are: -
  1. Clavicle Breathing (Upper Lungs)
  2. Thoracic Breathing (Middle Lungs)
  3. Abdominal Breathing (Lower Lungs)
  4. Full Yogic Breath
  5. Ratio Breathing
Clavicle Breathing
  • Breathe in to the upper lungs and as you breathe in feel the stretch in the collar bones & the rounding off the shoulders.
  • As you breathe out feel the relaxation in the collar bone & shoulders.

Thoracic Breathing
  • As you breathe in feel the expansion of chest cavity, stretch in rib cage and full expansion of lungs.
  • Feel the overall expansion in the chest cavity opening up the middle lungs.
  • As you breathe out feel the relaxation in rib cage & chest cavity & contraction of the lungs.

Abdominal Breathing
  • As you breathe in feel the expansion in the lower abdomen especially, below the navel.
  • As you breathe out feel the contraction in the abdomen or below the navel.
  • Allow the lower lungs to open up and feel the stretch in the abdominal muscles.

Full Yogic Breathing
  • Full yogic breath refers to the over all expansion & contraction of lungs utilizing all the 3 compartments the upper, the middle and the lower lungs. It is a combination of the clavicle, thoracic & deep abdominal breathing. The visual here is either the water level rising & falling in the bucket or the mercury rising & falling in the thermometer.

RATIO BREATHING

In ratio breathing the ratio of inhalation and exhalation is maintained as per counting as follows:
1:1:1 Beginner Stage
1:2:1 Intermediate Stage
1:4:2 Advanced Stage

PATTERN: Breathe in: Hold: Breathe out

Prayanama