Pranayama is the yogic practice of breath control. the meaning of pranayama is the expansion of vital energy. it consists of synchronizing the breathing technique with movements between Yoga poses. it is also called Breathing Exercise because it provides the technique to activate life force (prana).
Types of Pranayama
- Bhastrika Pranayama
- Kapalbhati Pranayama
- Bahya Pranayama
- Anulom Vilom Pranayama
- Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
- Ujjayi Pranayama
- Bhramari Pranayama
- Udgeeth – (chanting the word Om)
- Pranav Pranayama
Other Breathing Techniques
- Sheetkari Pranayama {Hissing Breath}-Steps And Benefits
- Sheetali Pranayama {Cooling Breath}-Steps And Benefits
- Chandra Bhedana Pranayama (Left Nostril Breathing)-Steps And Benefits
- Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing)-Steps And Benefits
What is Pranayama?
In a simple way, we can say that Pranayama is the process of breathing exercises in Yoga. Pranayama helps to Establish Connection between Inhalation & Exhalation which is the stage when you feel the presence of this transition zone.
Pranayama is the link between the mental and physical disciplines, While the action is physical, the effect is to make the mind calm, lucid and steady.
Swami Vishnu-Devananda (Organizer of the first teacher training program in the west)
Want to know more about Pranayama?
Pranayama FAQs
Morning is the best time for a breathing exercise. you should practice it in an open area like park if you are practicing it at home make sure that the windows are open the flow of air should normal and try to practice breathing techniques in the fresh air.
You should practice breathing exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes daily. Beginners should start form 15 minutes. you can divide it according to breathing exercise you should give 10 to 15 minutes to kapalbhati and anulom vilom and you should go for Bhramari pranayama at least 5 times and udgeeth pranayama (om chant) 3 times.
To practice breathing exercise you can sit according to your comfort. Sukhasana is a simple sitting posture to do breathing exercise, it is much batter if you can sit on padmasana (Lotus Pose) or vajrasana for a long time while practicing pranayama. while practicing breathing techniques, make sure that your spinal cord should be straight and there should not be stress on your face.
Yes, you can practice pranayama sitting on a chair. try to practice in any sitting posture if you are not able to sit on any sitting posture for a long time and getting comfortable sitting on a chair you should go for that. while working in the office if you get time to practice, you should do breathing exercises sitting on a chair. 5 minutes of excise will reduce stress while working in the office.
Yes, you can do breathing techniques laying down if you are suffering from health issues or you are not able to sit for a long time. while practicing breathing exercises, your legs should straight. keep the head, back, and leg in a straight line. avoid pillow or use a very thin pillow. remember that if you can breathe you can do pranayama.
For daily practice, you can start from kapalbhati or Anulom vilom for 10 to 15 minutes and then go for bhastrika after that 3 to 5 times Bhramri Pranayama and at last 3 times Udgeeth pranayama (Om chant).
you should start with Yoga poses. after that pranayama because at the time of yoga excises the circulation of blood increases and in yoga poses, we use the breathing techniques to reach the circulation of blood to our muscles. by this, we can concentrate our mind on balancing and can internal concentrate on changes in our body. Breathing exercise gives relaxation to our body and provides freshness to every part of our body. at the time of practicing yoga poses, we should concentrate on breathing techniques.
you can do pranayama whenever you get time. but according to the yogic way, there are three times (trikal) for breathing exercise morning, noon and evening according to that you should not do Breathing exercise between 9 Am to 12 Pm and 2 pm to 5 Pm.
Breathing exercise is a main part of Yoga, there are many types of pranayama. Everyone should practice pranayama. but in some cases, we should avoid some types of pranayama and we should concentrate on beneficial pranayama according to the health issue
Namaskar
can guide me on dhirga pranayama steps,
pregnant woment can practice this pranayama?
THANKH YOU
@MAHA
First of all thanks for your valuable comment, Very soon we’ll publish cover this topic, So, keep visiting for updates.
yes, pregnant women can practice this pranayama, but if You find any difficulties during deep breathing then slow down the breathing rate, and asthmatic patients have to take advice before doing this.
Regards
Sarvyoga Team
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