Prana means life force or breath sustaining the body; Ayama translates as “to extend or draw out.” Together, the two words mean breath extension or control. It might be difficult actually to explain what Pranayama is. You have to actually experience it, feel it and be drawn towards it. If you are of a type, when you are constantly fighting restlessness and inner chatter, then we would say the practice of Pranayama will help you. In the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, Pranayama is the fourth limb of the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.
In fact, when you are used to gymming and doing aerobics or any other cardio exercise, the whole idea of closing your eyes, breathing in deeply may be a bit intimidating if not esoteric. The prana or the breath is one way you can control your mind-body energy.
Often times we are not in control of our breathing pattern, our thoughts and out feelings. We get angry; think about the past, we slip into depression. So, in Pranayama when we control our breath, focus our mind on breathing, we actually go into a state of thoughtlessness. Of course, initially it’s not very easy to focus on your breath. It takes months of regular practice.
You must learn Pranayama under a trained Yoga teacher. Also, learn one Pranayama at a time and go slow and steady. There’s a certain rhythmic quality to the breath. Most of the times, Pranayama is practiced at the end of the Yoga session after Shavasana.
Patanjali in his text of Yoga Sutras mentioned pranayama as means of attaining higher states of awareness; he mentions the holding of breath as important practice of reaching Samadhi. Hatha Yoga also talks about 8 types of pranayama which will make the body and mind healthy.
Five types of prana are responsible for various pranic activities in the body, they are Prana, Apana, Vyan, Udana & Samana. Out of these Prana and Apana are most important. Prana is upward flowing and Apana is downward flowing.Practice of Pranayama achieves the balance in the activities of these pranas, which results in healthy body and mind.
By Sonia Sharma
