The word Pranayama is comprised of two words. Prana and Ayama. Prana means life force, and Ayama means expansion. Prana is often linked to breathing, but both inanimate and animate objects consist of prana, or life force. We can use the breath as a way of expanding our life force, by influencing the flow of prana in our nadis(energy channels) in the pranamaya kosha(energy body).
In pranayama practices there are four steps to the breath. There is inhalation(Pooraka), exhalation(Rechaka), internal breath retention(Antar Kumbhaka) and external breath retention(Bahir Kumbhaka). Every step effects us differently, and thus we can achieve different things by changing the speed, duration, force etc.
Pranayama can be used balance your energies, increase your energy or calm down your energies.
Increase your knowledge of Prana here
Stages to Yogic breath
We can survive weeks without food and days without water, but only a few minutes without air. Breathing is not just about staying alive, it has a direct influence of our wellbeing. There is sufficient research that confirms that breathing influences both physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
Most people know a few things about what’s healthy and unhealthy to eat, but it’s not as common to know about healthy and unhealthy breathing.
Although there is a lot of scientific research to back up my claims about how breathing is directly connected to our health and wellbeing, you do not really need to read it. Just take a deep breath in, hold for a few seconds and let it slowly back out. You’ll feel the difference.
Most people have tensions, bad posture, restrictive clothing and lack of training, which makes their breathing unhealthy. The good news is, for the majority of people, a little bit of daily practice can lead to great improvements in physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
The breathing exercises shown here will help you become familiar with your breath and correct your breathing.
Go through them one by one, and at the end they all come together and form the ‘Yogic Breath’ which is a powerful breathing technique which induces deep relaxation and takes away your anxiety and stress.
Normal breathing
Abdominal Breathing
Thoracic breathing
Clavicular breathing
Yogic Breath
Technique I
Technique II
Technique III
Technique IV
Nadi Shodhana
Nadi Shodhana is one of the most popular pranayamas practiced today. What few people know is that there are stages in which you can advance in the Nadi Shodhana. Most people have only practiced technique number 2.
Nadi means energy channel and Shodana means purification. Essentially it is a purification of the psychic network. There are two main energies within us. They are masculine energy and feminine energy. It is a common misconception that men should only have masculine energy and women only feminine. Both energies are essential for our wellbeing, and to gain balance between the two is critical. This is the works of the Nadi Shodana.
Kapalabati
Kapal means cranium, or forhead, and bhati means light and perception. So this is a pranayama which brings a state of light and clarity to the frontal region of the brain.
Kapalabati has a powerful cleansing effect on the lungs which makes it very good for respiratory disorders. It has a calming effect on the mind, but at the same time prevents sleepiness. Like Bhastrika, it too has a purifying effect on the Nadis.
Technique I
Technique II
Technique III
Technique IV
Technique V
Technique I
Technique II
Technique III
Technique IV
Bhastrika
Bhastrika means ‘bellows’, so its known as the bellows breath. It induces more air into the fire, which gives it the more common name; ‘Breath of Fire’. Bhastrika is a practice that burns up toxins and help to balance the doshas; kapha(phlegm), pitta(bile) and vata(wind).
Bhastrika reduces the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood and alkalises the body, which in return helps to reduce inflammation in throat and any accumulation of phlegm. It also have great benefits of balancing and strengthening the nervous system. After the practice you’ll feel peace and relaxed, yet alert with sharp focus, ready for meditation.
As with Nadi Shodana, Bhastrika is also a popular pranayama, where only one of the four techniques are commonly practiced.
As you advance in the stages, the benefits also increase. Some of the later benefits are activation of the brain which gives increased clarity and ability to concentrate. It will also raise energies and clear blockages in your energy body, which will result in awakening of the shushumna energy, also known as spiritual awakening.
Darsh Yoga 