Thursday, February 1, 2018

The Importance of Pranayama

Just Breathe!



We breathe all the time without even realizing it. It's an involuntary function of our body that is essential for survival. Our diaphragms contact and expand to push air in and out of our lungs thousands of times each day. When we learn to voluntarily breathe, or in other words control the depth and rhythm of our breath, profound changes happen in our mind and body.

So what does Pranayama mean? The word prana means life force and ayama means to extend. By controlling our breath, we therefore move prana/life force throughout our body. I have used various pranayama techniques to deal with anxiety and stress and it has helped me immensely. I view the breath as a powerful tool we have with us all the time that be accessed to bring us into the present moment and allow us to live a happier, fuller life.

There are many, many different Pranayama techniques. One of my very favorites if called Nadi Shodhana, or Alternate Nostril Breathing. I teach this often in my classes and use it regularly. Just like the pictures above illustrate, the ring finger and thumb close one nostril as you inhale through the other one nostril and exhaling through the other one.

Here are instructions for Alternate Nostril Breathing: Use the thumb of the right hand to close the right nostril, and inhale through the left nostril. Use the ring finger of the right hand to close the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril, close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril and keep going. Breathe slowly and fully. Try it for three minutes, then take a few deep breaths through your nose to notice the effects.

Three reasons why everyone should practice it:
1) It taps into a relaxation response in our nervous system
2) It balances the right and left hemispheres of our brain and improves attention
3) It improves respiratory function.

Happy Breathing!

For more information about Pranayama for Beginners, visit the link below:

https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/pranayama


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