Pranayama is an ancient breath technique that originated from yoga practices in India. It involves controlling your breath in different styles and lengths. It is known as the fourth limb or organ of yoga. Pranayama is considered a science. It is believed that you can control the power of your mind by controlling your breath.
Pranayama
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Pranayam is made up of two words – (Prana+Aayam). The first word is “Prana,” and the second is “Aayam”. The word “prana,” which means breath or vital energy in the body, and “ayama,” which means control. Thus, the Pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath, that is the source of our Prana or life force. Prana means that which gives us power or strength. To know the meaning of Aayam, it has to be dissected because it is made up of two words (Aa+Yaam). The root word in this is ‘Yaam’ with the prefix ‘Aa.’ Yaam means movement, and the prefix ‘Aa’ is used in the sense of ‘reverse’; that is, Aayam means reverse movement. Therefore, in Pranayam, Aayam has been used in the sense of ‘reverse movement.’ Thus, Pranayam means ‘reverse movement of Prana’. It is worth noting here that Pranayam is the noun of the special action of reverse movement of Prana and not its result. That is, the word Pranayam should convey the sense of the special action of Prana.
In yogic beliefs, it is believed that through pranayama practice, you can control your inner power, also known as Prana. In yoga, Prana also represents the physical forces of light, heat, magnetism, and energy. These meanings focus on the ability to develop breath control and improve mental well-being from pranayama practice. A vital breath of Pranayama is believed to help detoxify your body.
There are three steps in performing Pranayama-
- Inhalation called Puraka
- Exhalation called Rechaka
- Retention is called Kumbhaka or holding the breath.
Types of Pranayam-
- Anulom-Vilom
- Bhramari Pranayama
- Bhastrika Pranayama
- Ujjai Pranayama
- Sheetali Pranayama
- Sitkari Pranayama
- Udgeeth Pranayama
Anulom-Vilom-
Anulom Vilom is a controlled breathing Pranayama, in yoga. It involves holding the left nostril closed and the right nostril open while inhaling and then holding the right nostril closed and the left nostril open while exhaling. The process is then reversed and repeated. It’s a form of alternate nostril breathing.
Bhramari Pranayama-
Bhramari pranayama is known as Humming Bee Breath. Bhramari is the Sanskrit word meaning “bee,” Bhramari pranayama is a calming breathing practice that calms the nervous system and helps us connect with our true inner nature. This Pranayama is so named because a humming sound is produced in the back of the throat during practice — like the gentle hum of a bee.
Bhastrika Pranayama-
Bhastrika pranayama is known as Bellows Breath, is a warm breathing practice that’s like fanning a fire with a steady flow of air. Bastrika is a Sanskrit word that means “bellows,”. It describes the active filling and emptying of the abdomen and lungs during this practice.
Ujjayi Pranayama-
Ujjayi Pranayama is known as the Victorious breath or Ocean breath. Ujjayi is made up of two words – ‘Ud,’ which means a sense of superiority or power, and ‘Jay’ means victory, victory or success, i.e., victorious breath.
Sheetali Pranayama-
Sheetali Pranayama is also known as Cool Breathing. It is a breathing practice that effectively cools the body, mind, and emotions. The word Sheetali comes from the Sanskrit word “sheet,” meaning “cool” or “cold.” Sheetali roughly translates as ‘that which is calm, emotionless, and soothing.’
Sheetali Pranayama calms and relaxes the mind-body organism by activating a powerful evaporative cooling mechanism upon inhalation, delivering gentle cooling energy to the deep tissues of the body. Remarkably, this Pranayama also ignites the digestive fire – much like a live coal coated in ashes begins to glow under the influence of cool air.
Sitkari Pranayama-
Sitkari pranayama is one of the eight pranayama exercises listed in the traditional Hatha yoga texts. It is a cooling breathing technique in which air is drawn in to make a sound like the word ‘sit.’ Sitkar is the singular sitkarini, which means the Pranayama in which the ‘sit’ (cooling) sound is produced. Sitkari pranayama, also called sitkari breathing, is one of the eight yoga breathing techniques in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a classic yoga text. In the fifteenth century, the sage Svatmarama described shikari ambiguously as a method to be “revered by all yoginis.”
Udgeeth Pranayama-
When Om is chanted as a pranayama, it is called Udgeeth Pranayama. The word Udgeeth is another name for Om. This word is discussed in depth in the ancient text Chandogya Upanishad.
When we chant Om, we usually start chanting each Om together. In most cases, students try to synchronize the chant with the teacher. However, when we chant Om as Udgeeth Pranayama, we focus only on the sound vibrations produced by our chanting. This Pranayama does not attempt to synchronize the chant with anyone else. In Udgeeth Pranayama, we become absorbed in our chanting, the sound vibrations of the chant, and the meaning and significance of the Udgeeth (Om). Since everyone has a different breathing capacity, everyone chants Om at their own pace, ensuring that their breathing is never strained while chanting Om.
Importance of Pranayama–
- According to ancient Indian scriptures, controlling breath is one of the ways to help recover the body, repair, and function better.
- Better concentration occurs from Pranayama.
- Pranayama provides more oxygen to our body and makes us healthy and fresh.
- Regular Pranayama keeps a healthy and strong nervous system.
- It keeps a fit and healthy body.
- Pranayama improves inner peace.
- Pranayama keeps a healthy heart and fits the respiratory system as well as the circulatory system.
- Pranayama decreases high blood pressure.
- Pranayama keeps blood purifying.