Raja Yoga places a high value on what some people refer to as “breathing.” Yet, pranayama is actually the systematic cultivation of prana (energy). When one practices pranayama, the ratio of breath is important for controlling the amount of energy one draws in.
Many standing Yoga poses and pranayama exercises help to strengthen and activate the Manipura Chakra. The Ha Kriya is a very powerful Kundalini Yoga breathing technique for activating and re-energizing the Third Chakra.
Pranayama is often referred to as breath control, or yogic breathing. Pranayamas are beneficial in keeping the body healthy and free of toxins.
Patanjali discusses this theory in the “Yoga Sutra,” and Hatha Yoga takes the concept a step further by saying that our breathing affects the shape of our spines. Generally, exhalations evoke a state of relaxation while inhalations create feelings of tension.
Pranayama helps us to moderate this energy. Everyone hopes to enjoy a long, active and healthy life, free from disease. Therefore it is…
Pranayama is the breathing commonly practiced during Yoga classes. Each breath inhaled must be exhaled, and the position our body is in determines the duration that the breath is in our body. Controlling pranayama during Yoga training sessions provides oxygen to the body and also causes it to release toxins and waste products from our body.
Many Yoga students will benefit from a regular practice of pranayama exercises that increase mental clarity. As your thinking becomes…
Kapalbhati and bhastrika pranayama are both Yoga breathing exercises that can help the practitioner improve lung capacity and manage…
Another breathing technique which cultivates energy is Kapalbhati Pranayama (the skull-shining breath). This Yogic breath is effective in the purification process. The skull-shining breath implies a purification of the energy channels within the head. It helps to expel excess carbon dioxide from the blood. It also helps stir up mucous with forceful exhalations. This breathing technique provides more energy and can be useful if you are feeling tired and must stay awake as it can refresh you.
You can think of prana as “life force.” In yoga, the word “prana” is used, but the same concept is present in many forms of philosophy, religion and medicine that arose in the Far East. In Chinese medicine, it’s called “chi” or “qi.” In some forms of Buddhism, it’s translated as “energy wind” or “inner wind.” Regardless of what it’s called, moving, strengthening and cleansing our prana is one of the primary goals, if not the primary goal, of yoga, not to mention the goal of Tai Chi, Qigong, acupuncture, Reiki, certain forms of massage and certain meditative practices.