Pranayam: Elementary exercises

 

Hatha Yoga Pradipka lays great stress on yogic breathing for “all life exists only from breath to breath,” and it said that “he who breathes half, only lives half.” We must therefore develop air-hunger. For “vital airs,” says Hippocrates, “is the real pabulum vitae.” Deep breathing is a great, positive aid to self-culture and helps in retaining health, youth and longevity. The habit of conscious deep breathing gives a good exercise to the respiratory organs and ensures a free circulation of blood. Respiration consists of alternate expansion and contraction as the air is drawn in or expelled out from the lungs, and these are termed inhalation (inspiration) and exhalation (expiration) respectively. Each of these is followed by a suspensory pause within and without. Thus pranayam has four processes, namely: Puraka or inhalation, Antar Kumbhak or retention within, and Rechaka or exhalation followed by Vahya Kumbhak or Sunyaka, i.e., expiratory pause. This can be done through both the nostrils very, very slowly, and should be repeated ten to twenty times in the morning and in the evening for about three months. One may start with puraka and Rechaka and after some time add the other two practices of standstill pauses (Antar and Vahya Kumbhaka) for a few seconds. By practices and perseverance, one can acquire efficiency in yogic breathing. The suspending of breath at will after in-breathing or out-breathing. The suspending of breath at will after in-breathing or out-breathing, is called Kevalya Kumbhaka.

  

 



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