Pranayama

Pranayama

Sage Pathanjali’s Raja Yoga consists of eight progressive stages. They are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Prathyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

These eight stages can be divided into three sub groups.The first three deal with the body, the next two deal with the Body and Mind and the last three deal with Mind and Atman.

The final stage is Samadhi which literally means Equal to the beginning (Sama-Aadhi) in which the human being has become equal to the Brahmam, the beginning (Aadhi),

Of these, the fourth stage, namely, Pranayama is the link which relates the gross body to the spirit in it, which is invisible, but manifests through the physical activity of breathing. The moment a child is born, its first breathing starts, through the first cry. The breathing which starts there has to continue nonstop, throughout its life. Of course there are some arguable exceptions like the life supporting systems for breathing. Here also the breathing which the body was not able to do by itself is being done by the machines for a limited period.

But breathing is the essence of ‘Prana’ the life to abody which connects to the “Brahmam”.

Regulating the breathing which is the visible aspect of Prana is a step in which the life has a better control over the body. The reason this is called “Pranayama” is that it is the removal (Yama) of imperfections in breathing which is Prana in breathing and including regulations (Niyama). A beautiful word indeed!

Pranayama is the process in which the human being tries to consciously relate the earthly body and the Pranic force which is cosmic by origin and nature.

To do the Pranayama properly the first three stages viz., - Yama, Niyama, and Asana should have been gone through. In short, Yama is to relinquish those which are not good for the body and soul. Niyama is the process to cultivate as a habit that are good for body to continue the journey of understanding. And Asana is the process of bringing the body under the control of the mind. These three stages prepare the human being to go to the next stage of Pranayama as in the Raja Yoga every preceding stage helps achieve the objective of the subsequent stage.

In Pranayama we try to regulate the breathing with consciousness. Basically it involves two components relating to body and mind.

In simple terms, first we inhale through one nostril for one unit of time. Hold the breath for two units of time. Then exhale through the other nostril for one unit of time. The cycle can be reversed for nostrils for optimum body heat. Under guidance the body heat can be controlled depending on whether the inhalation is through right or left nostril.

While the posture,time, physical conditions are important,the second aspect namely, the concentration of mind which watches the breathingis very important in Pranayama”

The inhaled breath,the “Pranic Force” should be recognized and directed to various parts of the body depending on where one wants the ‘Pranic force to apply. The practitioner may like to apply it to mind, brain, heart, lungs, limbs, stomach, an area of pain or a wound. This comes by conscious and continuous practice. For example a lady whose morning sickness is uncontrollable by tablets can have the vomiting controlled by doing Pranayama, and directing her Pranic Force to the vomiting sensation. An intense pain such as headache can be moderated by having the Pranic force directed to the pain. Many Buddhist Monks do look much young than theirage, because of intense practice of “Pranayama’’. Many impossible acts of Martial Arts in various forms are done through the Pranayama’ though this may not be known as Pranayama by the performer of the Martial art.

Pranayama is the link that connects the limited (by physical laws) human body to the unlimited cosmic force. In whatever age, level it is practiced with conscience, it gives great benefits. It is not that one has to be very advanced in spiritual practice to practice Pranayama.Any normal person, who does not have any recognised medical condition,(better to consult an yoga teacher/general physician)who has simple control over himself, habits and body can practice and find the immense benefits and beauty of Pranayama.

 

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Dear Bhavna,

Thanks for the visit and appreciation. Glad you enjoyed reading it.

 

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Dear Viswamitra,

I am humbled that a well read and informed person of your stature could find the blog informative and interesting. Surely your encouragement will go a long way in motivating me to contribute whatever I can in future. Ofcourse, I am like the child on the seashore collecting the shells where as the Pearls are still there in the Ocean called Hindology.

Thanks for your visit.

With warm regards.

suryakala.

 

Dear Bhargavi,

Thanks for your visit and glad that you liked the Blog.