To get an understanding of what it actually means, let’s look at the word “Pranayama”. “Prana” means vital life force energy and “Ayama” means expansion and freedom. In Sanskrit when two words are joined and two vowels are placed together, the first word drops the vowel. Therefore, Prana + Ayama = Pranayama and literally means to expand vital life force energy. Pranayama and breath exercises are ancient practices that have been referred to as early as 4000-6000 BCE. Techniques have been fostered and adapted over time by a great many teachers and masters leading to limitless combinations and possibilities.
Pranayama is the connection of mind and body and I’ve heard the breath being described as the bridge between mind and body which evokes a beautiful image. Bearing this in mind, Pranayama is a powerful detox for your energy body as it unlocks the flow of prana by clearing emotional and physical obstacles within. Even the gentle Pranayama practice that I teach is enough to get the prana flowing to transform the breath and state of mind. Regular pranayama practice assists in enhancing sleep, easing pain, reducing stress and anxiety, sharpening focus and attention while connecting to a tranquil space within, all leading to greater clarity and improved wellbeing.
The practice of Pranayama is wonderfully rich and consists of many breath techniques in which combinations of controlled inhalations, exhalations and holds are practiced. Long smooth inhalations and exhalations are developed, and through these practices the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest response) will be activated leading to reduced stress and its effects on your mind and body. This is brilliant, because in the face of a challenge, resilience increases and the mind becomes more focused and still. Humans are incredibly lucky because the breath is not only an unconscious action, it is also a conscious action. This is such a bonus as most people have a shallow, tense and erratic unconscious breath which we can change over time with practice. When we are in pain, afraid, hear bad news or get a fright we gasp, sharply inhale and hold our breath. This will lead to activating the sympathetic nervous system (the fight, flight or freeze response) which is not a state we want to stay in for any length of time as it will lead to more stress, anxiety and pain.
Your breath, through Pranayama, is the best tool to regulate your nervous system and stay in the rest and digest state. It’s free, it’s with you at all times, it’s for everybody and you don’t need any special equipment.
Are you ready to practice?
Comments